Clan Ross
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. Hugh, 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
Clan Ross fought alongside Robert the Bruce during the Scottish Wars of Independence at the Battle of Bannockburn 1314 and the Battle of Halidon Hill 1333.
Clan Wars
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 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 several 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 Alistair Ross gathered his forces of 2000 men and engaged in a long & 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.
- 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.
Jacobite Uprisings
Clan Ross supported the British Governmnet during the Jacobite uprisings.
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)
Chief
Since 1968, David Ross of Ross and Balnagowan
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
- Approximate numbers in various countries: Unknown
- Prominent members: Unknown
- 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.