One of the earliest Lairds of Sandside was William Innes who was factor to Lord Forbes who obtained Sandside in 1626. William was succeeded by his son, James Innes the 2nd Laird of Sandside who was the member of parliament for Caithness. James was married to Elizabeth Johnstone, daughter of Arthur Johnstone MD the Royal Physician to King James the VI and 1st and to King Charles. Within the old church yard in Reay there is a carved armorial stone to James and Elizabeth Innes of Sandside showing the arms of Innes conjoined to the arms of Johnstone with a latin inscription from The Book of Job.
In the year 1710 a considerable uproar was created within Caithness when a fatal dual was fought within the county. The dual was fought between Captain William Innes of Sandside, the 4th Laird, and Alexander Sinclair of Olrig. The story goes that Sandside met up with Members of the Sinclair of Murkle Family in the Ale House in Thurso. Also present was Alexander Sinclair of Olrig. After much partaking of 'The Water of Life', accompanied by horse play, matters got out of hand and Murkle spat in the face of Sandside. Sandside, wiping away the spit, roared “The best of the Sinclairs dared not do that”. Alexander Sinclair of Olrig, a man said to be of quarrelsome nature, then sprang to his feet and immediately challenged Sandside to a dual. Sandside attempted to cool matters down but to no avail Sinclair was determined in maintaining his family honour.
Sandside and Olrig accompanied by ??? in-between ??? at a lonely moorland spot, thereafter named the bloody mess, close to Loch Ulgrin. the chosen weapons for this dual was swords. Sandside with a rapier and Olrig with a broadsword. The dual is said to have lasted around an hour. Sandside had the upper hand throughout but was reluctant to widow a women and orphan her children. Olrig on the other hand was going for the kill and eventually Sandside for his own safety had no option but to deliver the fatal blow running Olrig through with the rapier, Olrig dying with the hour. Dualing at this time was illegal in Scotland being a capital offence. Sandside and his ??? wasted no time in securing a vessel at Crosskirk and on the ??? coast and made their escape to the continent. In the meantime a warrant was issued for their arrest. After a period of around 2 years a remission of the crime was issued and Captain Innes returned to Sandside. The Captain did not sleep easy, mindful of the grudge held by the Sinclair’s. He never ventured out without the company of ??? Highlander as a bodyguard. Within a case in the hall of Sandside House there is the pair of swords said to have been used in the dual.
