Clan Ross
Clan Ross is a Highland Scottish clan.
History
Clan Ross is a Highland Scottish clan first named as such by King Malcolm IV in 1160. The first of the current line of chiefs was Fearchar Mac-an-t-sagairt (meaning "son of the priest") of Applecross, who was created Earl of Ross in about 1234 by King Alexander II of Scotland as a reward for putting down rebellion in the north of Scotland. Tradition has it that around this time the Earl of Ross granted lands in Foulis to the Clan Munro for defeating Vikings who had invaded East Ross-shire.
Earl Fearchar's grandson William led the clan at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. Aodh, the 5th earl, was killed at the Battle of Halidon Hill in 1333, and his successor William died without male issue. The earldom of Ross and the chiefship of Clan Ross were then separated:
The earldom of Ross passed through a female line, and that later led to dispute between two rival claimants -- the Lord of the Isles and Regent Albany -- and the title reverted to the crown in 1424. King James I of Scotland restored the title to Margaret, whose son was Alexander, 3rd Lord of the Isles. and the earldom of Ross remained with the Lords of the Isles until that lordship was forfeited to the crown in 1476.
The chiefship passed to Earl William's brother Hugh Ross of Rariches, who was granted a charter, in 1374, for the lands of Balnagowan. The Rosses of Balnagowan held the chiefship for 300+ years. David, the last of that direct line, passed the chiefship to Hon. Charles Ross, son of Lord Ross of Hawkhead, Renfrewshire, although they were not connected by blood.
Balnagowan passed to George, 13th Lord Ross, in 1745. William, 14th Lord Ross, died unmarried, and Balnagowan then passed to Sir James Lockhard, 2nd Baronet of Carstairs. Sir John, the 5th baronet, assumed the name "Ross" and then, after Carstairs was sold in 1762, the designation "of Balnagowan."
The chiefship of Clan Ross devolved upon Ross of Pitcalnie, heir of David who was the last of the direct line of Balnagowan.
Scottish Wars of Independence
The Clan Ross fought alongside King Robert the Bruce during the Wars of Scottish Independence at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 and the Battle of Halidon Hill in 1333.
Clan Conflicts
- Ferquhard Ross helped King Alexander II (1214 - 1249) crush a rebellion in Moray and Ross-shire. He brought the King the heads of the rebel leaders and was knighted on 15th June 1215.
- Clan Ross fought at the Battle of Largs in 1263 in support of Alexander III of Scotland against King Haakon IV of Norway.
- Battle for the Earldom of Ross 1369, Little is known of this battle where the Clan Munro were fighting in defense of the Earl of Ross against an enemy, possably the MacKenzies who were attempting to take over as the Earls of Ross. The Munro chief 'Robert de Munro' who previously had charters confirmed to him by David II of Scotland for Easter Foulis and Strathskiach in 1364 was killed at this battle.
- Battle of Harlaw 1411, The Clan Ross fought at the battle of Harlaw as Highlanders against an army of Scottish Lowlanders.
- Battle of Verneuil 1424, The Rosses were involved in this battle against the French in France. On the death of the Earl of Buchan and Ross, at the Battle of Verneuil in France in 1424, the Earldom of Ross reverted to the crown. James I on his return from his long captivity in England, restored it to the heiress of line, the mother of Alexander, Lord of the Isles,
- 1486 - Angus Roy Mackay overthrown and slain at Tarbet Church by the Clan Ross: The MacKays and Rosses had long been at feud, again and again the Rosses had suffered molestation of their lands from their enemies the Clan MacKay and when at last, driven to desperation and thoroughly infuriated, they gathered their forces and marched against the Mackay Chief, they were in the mood to teach the MacKays a severe lesson. The Mackays, with Angus of Strathnaver at their head, finding themselves fiercely attacked and being defeated by the Rosses, sought shelter in the church of Tarbat. There many were slain, and the church being set on fire, Angus Mackay and many of his clansmen were burnt to ashes.
- Battle of Strathcarron/Blair alt na charis 1486, To take revenge to this cruel act carried out by the Clan Ross at Tarbet Church, MacKay Chief Ian MacKay helped by a force from Clan Sutherland marched south invading the territory of Clan Ross and began laying waste to it. Chief Alexander Ross gathered his forces of 2000 men and engaged in a long and desperate battle with the invading forces. In the end the battle went against the Rosses with MacKay and Sutherland gaining the upper hand. The Ross Chief was killed along with many of his clan. After this the Ross Clan took many years to recovor their once large numbers of fighting men.
- Battle of Flodden Field 1513, John Ross Lord of Halkhead died when leading his forces at the Battle of Flodden Field September 9th 1513.
- During the Civil War at the Battle of Carbisdale 1650 the Rosses & Munros fought on the side of the Scottish Government, then led by the Duke of Argyll. In 1650 the Marquis of Montrose(a Royalist) and his invading army of foreigners, mainly Germans and Danes landed in Ross-shire. The Munros & Rosses had initially indicated that they would join him and arranged to meet him at a specified location, he waited two days for them but the Rosses & Munros did not turn up as they had actually taken the side of the Scottish Government, along with Clan Sutherland. A day later the battle took place in Scroggie Wood. The Germans and Danes fought gallantly deeper and deeper into the wood but they were losing the battle and in the end the need for self-preservation took over and those that were left attempted to flee. Montrose's force of cavalry also fought bravely but were soon overwhelmed. History records that the bloodshed in the wood continued for over two hours and even after the battle ended, the slaughter did not cease, for the Munro & Ross clansmen of Ross-shire continued the killing of the escpaed from the battle for many dayes thereafter. Shortly after Montroses death the Scottish Argyll Government switched sides and became Royalists too.
- David Ross 12th of Balnagowan fought and led some of the clan at the Battle of Worcester in 1651 where he was captured and imprisoned at the Tower of London, said to have died there in 1653 and been buried in Westminster.
- Col. Charles, 13th lord Ross of Hawkhead and 15th of Balnagowan was Killed in 1745 leading some members of the clan at the Battle of Fontenoy fighting against the French on 30th April 1745.
Jacobite Uprisings
Clan Ross supported the British Government during the Jacobite uprisings.
Clan Chiefs
| Name of Clan Ross Chief | Chief until | Futher deatails |
|---|---|---|
| Fearchar, Earl of Ross (Fequhard 1st Earl of Ross) | 1249 | Crushed a rebellion in Moray and Ross, brought the King the heads of the rebel leaders and was knighted on 15th June 1215. |
| Uilleam I, Earl of Ross (William 2nd Earl of Ross) | 1274 | Justicar of Scotland, North. Dau of William Comyn, Earl of Buchan. |
| Uilleam II, Earl of Ross (William 3rd Earl of Ross) | 1323 | Changed sides during the Wars of Independence, his son Walter fought at Bannockburn for Scotland. |
| Aodh, Earl of Ross (Hugh 4th Earl of Ross) | 1334 | A favorite of King Robert the Bruce. Married the Bruce's siter Matilda. |
| Uilleam
III, Earl of Ross
(William 5th Earl of Ross) The last Clan Ross Chief who was Earl of Ross. |
1372 |
|
| Hugh Ross of Rarichies later the 1st of Balnagowan. | 1374 | Hugh Ross of Rarichies who later became the 1st of Balnagowan was descended from Aodh, 4th Earl of Ross. He took over as Chief of the Clan Ross when Uilleam III 5th Earl of Ross died in 1372, however the postion as Earl of Ross had gone elsewhere (see above). Hugh Ross married Jean, a daughter of Robert Munro of Foulis. |
| William Ross 2nd of Balnagowan | 1412 | Married Cathrine, daughter of Paul McTyre. |
| Walter Ross 3rd of Balnagowan | 1412 | ? |
| Hugh Ross 4th of Balnagowan | ? | Married the daughter of the Earl of Sutherland. The Earl of Sutherland was married to Helen Sinclair. Helen Sinclair was the daughter of the Earl of Orkney. |
| John Ross 5th of Balnagowan | ? | Married Christian daughter MacLeod of Torquil. |
| Alexander Ross 6th of Balnagowan | 1486 | Married Dorothy daughter of Alexander Sutherland. Killed leading the Clan Ross into battle against the Clan MacKay and Clan Sutherland at the Battle of Strathcarron. |
| Sir David Ross 7th of Balnagowan | ? | Married Helen, daughter of Keith of Inverugie. |
| Walter Ross 8th of Balnagowan | 1528 | Married Marrion, daughter of Sir John Grant of Freuchie. |
| Alexander Ross 9th of Balnagowan | 1592 | Married Janet, daughter of the 3rd Earl of Caithness. |
| George Ross 10th of Balnagowan | 1615 | Married Marrion, daughter of Sir John Campbell of Calder. Later married Isobel, daughter of Angus MacKintosh of Torcastle. |
| David Ross 11th of Balnagowan | 1632 | Married Mary, daughter of Alexander Earl of Sutherland. |
| David Ross 12th of Balnagowan | 1653 | Married Mary, daughter of the 7th Lord Fraser of Lovat. Fought at the Battle of Worcester in 1651 where he led some of the clan, captured and imprisoned at the Tower of London, said to have died there and been buried in Westminster. |
| David Ross 13th of Balnagowan | 1711 | Last of Balnagowan O' Beolain line. Married Anne, daughter of the 4th Earl of Moray. Left his estates to a stranger in blood: Charles Ross. |
| Lt-General Charles Ross 12th of Hawkhead and 14th of Balnagowan | 1732 | First of Hawkhead. Also inherited the estates of Balnagowan. |
| Col. Charles, 13th lord Ross of Hawkhead and 15th of Balnagowan. | 1745 | Killed in 1745 leading some members of the clan at the Battle of Fontenoy 30th April 1745. |
| George, 14th lord Ross of Hawkhead and 16th of Balnagowan. | 1754 | Chieftenship passed to Lockhart line of Ross. |
| William, 15th lord Ross of Hawkhead and 17th of Balnagowan. | 1754 | Chieftenship passed to Lockhart line of Ross. |
| Grizel Lockhart Ross, daughter of William, 12th Lord Ross of Hawkhead | 1755 | On expiery of the male Ross of Hawkhead line the estates of Balnagowan passed to James Lockhart of Carstairs whose grandfather had married Grizel the daughter of Lt-General Charles Ross 12th of Hawkhead and 14th of Balnagowan. Sir James assumed the name Lockhart-Ross. |
| Sir William Lockhart-Ross | 1758 | First of Lockhart line. |
| Sir James Lockhart-Ross | 1760 | Second of Lockhart line. |
| Sir George Lockhart-Ross | 1778 | Third of Lockhart line. |
| Admiral Sir John Lockhart-Ross | 1790 | Fourth of Lockhart line. |
| Lt. General Sir Charles Lockhart-Ross of Balnagown | 1814 | Fith of Lockhart line. |
| Sir Charles William Augustus Lockhart-Ross of Balnagown | 1893 | Sixth and last of Lockhart-Ross line. |
| Ethel Frances Sarah Williamson Ross | 1957 | The Rosses of Pitcalnie. The Chieftenship of Balnagowan then passed to a line who were direct descendants of Nicholas Ross who was the second son of Chief Alexander Ross 9th of Balnagowan who died in 1592. (The Cheiftenship back then had gone to Alexander's first son George 10th of Balnagowan who died in 1615) |
| Rosa Williamson Ross | 1968 | The Rosses of Pitcalnie. |
| David Campbell Ross | The current Chief of Clan Ross. | The Chieftenship passed to another line of Rosses. The Rosses of Shandwick are direct descendants of William Ross who was killed in battle in 1486. William was the grandson of Hugh Ross the 4th of Balnagowan and the brother of Alexander Ross 6th of Balnagowan. |
Gaelic names & Origin of name
- Clann Anrias
- Ròs
- Ròis
- Origin of name: Ross-shire
Tartan
Clan Ross has three tartans:
- Red ancient Ross tartan (shown)
- Red dress Ross tartan
- Green Ross hunting tartan (shown)
Motto, Plant badge, Pipe music
- Motto: Spem successus alit ("Success nourishes hope")
- Plant Badge: Juniper
- Pipe Music: The Earl of Ross's March
Septs of Clan Ross
- Anderson
- Andison
- Andrew
- Corbett
- Crow/e
- Croy
- Denoon
- Denune
- Dingwall
- Duthie
- Fair
- Gair
- Gear
- Gillanders
- Hagart
- Haggart
- MacAndrew
- MacCullie
- MacCulloch
- MacLullich
- MacTaggart
- MacTear
- MacTier
- MacTire
- Taggart
- Tullo
- Tulloch
- Tyre
- Vass
- Wass
Clan Ross Today
- Ancestral lands: The Balnagowan estate itself is no longer in Ross hands. It is currently owned by the millionaire Egyptian proprietor of the Harrods department store who has put a lot of money into improving the estate and restoring the castle.
