Hector Munro, 13th Baron of Foulis
Encyclopedia
Hector Munro, 13th Baron of Foulis was a Scottish clan chief
of the highland Clan Munro
in Rosshire. He is by tradition 13th Baron of Foulis and 16th overall chief of the clan. He is however only the 6th chief of the Clan Munro who can be proved by contemporary evidence.
who died in 1505. Hector was so young when he succeeded to his estates that management of the estates was attended to by his relatives. In 1514/15 after attaining his majority Hector Munro was appointed Lieutenant along with John Mackenzie, 9th of Kintail
, chief of Clan Mackenzie
for the protection of Wester Ross. They were to protect the lands from the incursion of Sir Donald MacDonald of Lochalsh, chief of the Clan MacDonald of Lochalsh
, who at that time proclaimed himself Lord of the Isles
.
There is a charter under the Great Seal, dated 10 December 1516 to Hector Munro of Foulis, granting him the salmon
fishing in the Kyle of Oykel
, between the counties of Ross
and Sutherland
upon the resignation of the same subjects in his favour by Sir Donald MacDonald of Lochalsh. Hector Munro also acquired by charter dated at Glengarry the 2nd of October 1524, from Margaret MacDonald of the Isles, sister of Sir Donald MacDonald of Lochalsh with the consent of her husband Alexander MacDonald, 6th of Glengarry, chief of the Clan MacDonell of Glengarry part of the lands of Lochalsh
, Lochcarron
, Lochbroom
, and Feorin-Coscarrie, in Breachatt and superior of the lands of Creichmore and fishings of the Killis Ockell. She further sold and confirmed to her cousin, Hector Munro of Foulis the half of the lands of Inveran
, Linisetroy, Linisetmore, Altasbeg, Altasmore and Auchness for a certain sum of money delivered to her for her need and urgent necessity. These grants were further confirmed to Hector Munro at Court by king James V of Scotland
by charter dated at Stirling
on the 20th April 1541.
A charter found at Cawdor Castle
between the Knight of Calder and others dated at Inverness
on the 30th April 1527 includes Hector Munro of Foulis as one of the subscribers. There is also a bond of Manrent
between Hector Munro and Hugh Fraser, 5th Lord Lovat
dated 19 March 1529.
Different sources give different dates of death for Hector Munro. The Martine MS written by George Martine in the late 17th century gives the date as 1549. However contemporary records, the Munro Writs of Foulis give the date as 8 March 1541. Hector died at Culrain in the parish of Kincardine
and his remains were interred in the ancestral burying ground in the Chanonry of Ross.
, chief of the Clan Mackenzie
. They had two sons:
Hector Munro married secondly Catherine, daughter of John Macleod of Lewis, chief of the Clan MacLeod of Lewis
but without issue. However, Hector Munro, 13th Baron of Foulis is known to have had three illegitimate sons from whom several large Munro families are descended and had land granted to them in Rosshire.
Scottish clan chief
The Scottish Gaelic word clann means children. In early times, and possibly even today, clan members believed themselves to descend from a common ancestor, the founder of the Scottish clan. From its perceived founder a clan takes its name. The clan chief is the representative of this founder, and...
of the highland Clan Munro
Clan Munro
-Origins:The main traditional origin of the clan is that the Munros came from Ireland and settled in Scotland in the 11th century and that they fought as mercenary soldiers under the Earl of Ross who defeated Viking invaders in Rosshire...
in Rosshire. He is by tradition 13th Baron of Foulis and 16th overall chief of the clan. He is however only the 6th chief of the Clan Munro who can be proved by contemporary evidence.
Lands and charters
Hector was the eldest son of William Munro, 12th Baron of FoulisWilliam Munro, 12th Baron of Foulis
Sir William Munro of Foulis was a Scottish Knight and Scottish clan chief of the highland Clan Munro. He is by tradition the 12th Baron of Foulis and 15th overall chief of the clan...
who died in 1505. Hector was so young when he succeeded to his estates that management of the estates was attended to by his relatives. In 1514/15 after attaining his majority Hector Munro was appointed Lieutenant along with John Mackenzie, 9th of Kintail
John Mackenzie, 9th of Kintail
John Mackenzie , or "John of Killin", traditionally reckoned 9th of Kintail, was a Highland chief, being head of the Clan Mackenzie.-Origins and education:...
, chief of Clan Mackenzie
Clan MacKenzie
Clan Mackenzie is a Highland Scottish clan, traditionally associated with Kintail and lands in Ross-shire.-Origins:The Mackenzies, a powerful clan of Celtic stock, were not among the clans that originated from Norman ancestry. Descendants of the long defunct royal Cenél Loairn of Dál Riata, they...
for the protection of Wester Ross. They were to protect the lands from the incursion of Sir Donald MacDonald of Lochalsh, chief of the Clan MacDonald of Lochalsh
Clan MacDonald of Lochalsh
-History:The MacDonald of Lochalsh branch was founded by Celestine MacDonald . Celestine MacDonald was the second son of Alexander of Islay, Earl of Ross, 3rd Lord of the Isles and 8th chief of Clan Donald...
, who at that time proclaimed himself Lord of the Isles
Lord of the Isles
The designation Lord of the Isles is today a title of Scottish nobility with historical roots that go back beyond the Kingdom of Scotland. It emerged from a series of hybrid Viking/Gaelic rulers of the west coast and islands of Scotland in the Middle Ages, who wielded sea-power with fleets of...
.
There is a charter under the Great Seal, dated 10 December 1516 to Hector Munro of Foulis, granting him the salmon
Salmon
Salmon is the common name for several species of fish in the family Salmonidae. Several other fish in the same family are called trout; the difference is often said to be that salmon migrate and trout are resident, but this distinction does not strictly hold true...
fishing in the Kyle of Oykel
River Oykel
The River Oykel is a major river in northern Scotland that is famous for its salmon fishing. It rises on Ben More Assynt, a few miles from Ullapool on the west coast of Scotland, and drains into the North Sea via the Kyle of Sutherland...
, between the counties of Ross
Ross
Ross is a region of Scotland and a former mormaerdom, earldom, sheriffdom and county. The name Ross allegedly derives from a Gaelic word meaning a headland - perhaps a reference to the Black Isle. The Norse word for Orkney - Hrossay meaning horse island - is another possible origin. The area...
and Sutherland
Sutherland
Sutherland is a registration county, lieutenancy area and historic administrative county of Scotland. It is now within the Highland local government area. In Gaelic the area is referred to according to its traditional areas: Dùthaich 'IcAoidh , Asainte , and Cataibh...
upon the resignation of the same subjects in his favour by Sir Donald MacDonald of Lochalsh. Hector Munro also acquired by charter dated at Glengarry the 2nd of October 1524, from Margaret MacDonald of the Isles, sister of Sir Donald MacDonald of Lochalsh with the consent of her husband Alexander MacDonald, 6th of Glengarry, chief of the Clan MacDonell of Glengarry part of the lands of Lochalsh
Loch Alsh
Loch Alsh or Lochalsh is a sea inlet between the isle of Skye in the Inner Hebrides and the Northwest Highlands of Scotland. The name is also used to described the surrounding country and the feudal holdings around the loch...
, Lochcarron
Lochcarron
Lochcarron is a village, community and civil parish in the Wester Ross area of Highland, Scotland. It has a population of 923.-Local Information:...
, Lochbroom
Loch Broom
Loch Broom is a sea loch located in northwestern Ross and Cromarty, in the former parish of Lochbroom, in the west coast of Scotland. The small town of Ullapool lies on the eastern shore of the loch...
, and Feorin-Coscarrie, in Breachatt and superior of the lands of Creichmore and fishings of the Killis Ockell. She further sold and confirmed to her cousin, Hector Munro of Foulis the half of the lands of Inveran
Inveran
Inveran is a small village in the Sutherland region of the Highland Council area of Scotland.It is situated on the A837 at the head of the Dornoch Firth and the site of the Shin Hydro-electric Power Station....
, Linisetroy, Linisetmore, Altasbeg, Altasmore and Auchness for a certain sum of money delivered to her for her need and urgent necessity. These grants were further confirmed to Hector Munro at Court by king James V of Scotland
James V of Scotland
James V was King of Scots from 9 September 1513 until his death, which followed the Scottish defeat at the Battle of Solway Moss...
by charter dated at Stirling
Stirling
Stirling is a city and former ancient burgh in Scotland, and is at the heart of the wider Stirling council area. The city is clustered around a large fortress and medieval old-town beside the River Forth...
on the 20th April 1541.
A charter found at Cawdor Castle
Cawdor Castle
Cawdor Castle is a tower house set amid gardens in the parish of Cawdor, approximately 10 miles east of Inverness and 5 miles southwest of Nairn in Scotland, United Kingdom. It belonged to the Clan Calder. It still serves as home to the Dowager Countess Cawdor, stepmother of Colin Robert Vaughan...
between the Knight of Calder and others dated at Inverness
Inverness
Inverness is a city in the Scottish Highlands. It is the administrative centre for the Highland council area, and is regarded as the capital of the Highlands of Scotland...
on the 30th April 1527 includes Hector Munro of Foulis as one of the subscribers. There is also a bond of Manrent
Manrent
Manrent refers to a Scottish mid 15th century to the early 17th century type of contract, usually military in nature and involving Scottish clans...
between Hector Munro and Hugh Fraser, 5th Lord Lovat
Lord Lovat
Lord Lovat is a title in the Peerage of Scotland. It was created in 1458 for Hugh Fraser. The title descended in a direct line for nine sequential generations until the death of the ninth Lord in 1696. He was succeeded by his great-uncle, the tenth Lord...
dated 19 March 1529.
Different sources give different dates of death for Hector Munro. The Martine MS written by George Martine in the late 17th century gives the date as 1549. However contemporary records, the Munro Writs of Foulis give the date as 8 March 1541. Hector died at Culrain in the parish of Kincardine
Kincardine
Kincardine or Kincardine-on-Forth is a small town located on the north shore of the Firth of Forth, in Fife, Scotland. The town was given the status of a Burgh of barony in 1663. It was at one time a reasonably prosperous minor port...
and his remains were interred in the ancestral burying ground in the Chanonry of Ross.
Family and descendants
Hector Munro, 13th Baron married firstly Catherine, daughter of Sir Kenneth Mackenzie, 7th of KintailKenneth Mackenzie, 7th of Kintail
Kenneth Mackenzie , traditionally reckoned 7th of Kintail and nicknamed Coinneach a'bhlair , was a Highland chief, being head of the Clan Mackenzie.-Origins:...
, chief of the Clan Mackenzie
Clan MacKenzie
Clan Mackenzie is a Highland Scottish clan, traditionally associated with Kintail and lands in Ross-shire.-Origins:The Mackenzies, a powerful clan of Celtic stock, were not among the clans that originated from Norman ancestry. Descendants of the long defunct royal Cenél Loairn of Dál Riata, they...
. They had two sons:
- Robert Munro, 14th Baron of FoulisRobert Munro, 14th Baron of FoulisRobert Munro, 14th Baron of Foulis was a Scottish Highlander, soldier and clan chief of the Clan Munro. He was seated at Foulis Castle...
(heir and successor). - Hugh Munro of Contullich, appears to have died unmarried.
Hector Munro married secondly Catherine, daughter of John Macleod of Lewis, chief of the Clan MacLeod of Lewis
Clan MacLeod of Lewis
Clan Macleod of The Lewes, commonly known as Clan MacLeod of Lewis, is a Highland Scottish clan, which at its height held extensive lands in the Western Isles and west coast of Scotland. From the 14th century up until the beginning of the 17th century there were two branches of Macleods: the...
but without issue. However, Hector Munro, 13th Baron of Foulis is known to have had three illegitimate sons from whom several large Munro families are descended and had land granted to them in Rosshire.
- Hugh Munro, 1st of Little Findon.
- Robert Munro, 1st of Killichoan.
- John Roy Munro, the "red", 1st of Wester Fyrish.