Sir Robert Munro, 5th Baronet
Encyclopedia
Sir Robert Munro, 5th Baronet of Foulis (died 11 September 1729) was also 23rd Baron and 26th chief of the Clan Munro
. He became blind and was known as the Blind Baron.
for confirmation of the lands and barony of Foulis, as well as all of his other estates. Robert represented the County of Ross in Parliament from 1697 to 1702. Sir Robert along with many other Munros is amongst the people of Sutherland and Ross who signed an address to King George I of Great Britain
, in December 1714, imploring his Royal mercy for Simon Fraser, Lord Lovat, chief of Clan Fraser
, on his return from France at the instigation of Major James Fraser of Castleleathers.
led a force of 3000 men headed by the Clan Mackenzie
which also included men from the Clan MacDonald
, Clan MacKinnon
, Clan MacRae
and the Clan Chisholm
. He was opposed by Robert's eldest son and heir, Colonel Sir Robert Munro of Foulis who had formed a camp at the Bridge of Alness with 600 men which also included men from the Clan Ross
. Munro had sent many of his own men south to protect the lands of the Clan Forbes
of Culloden from the Jacobites. Munro was soon joined by the Earl of Sutherland
and the Chief of Clan Mackay
who both brought with them only a portion of their clans and expected support from the Clan Grant
did not arrive. The Earl of Seaforth's forces advanced on the Sutherland's camp who made a quick retreat to avoid contact with their more powerful foe. Soon afterwards a council of war was held between the two sides and the Sutherlanders and Mackays peacefully moved back north to their own territory, while much of the Ross's lands were ravaged and the Munros returned home to find their lands of Ferindonald and Foulis Castle had been plundered.
The Sutherlanders and the Munros were not long in retaliating. Sir Robert Munro of Foulis and the Earl of Sutherland gathered their forces and spoiled MacKenzie, Earl of Seaforth's lands of Brahan
.
From Major Fraser's manuscript:
The Earl of Sutherland that night, to be avenged on what was done to him at Alness, and the Munros, also to be revenged of what the MacKenzies and MacDonalds had plundered from them, did encamp near Lord Seaforth's house and there destroy what they could. Then a hundred Frasers and a hundred Munros were sent off to bring in provisions, there being 1500 men encamped that night, and every two men might have had a cow. Being about 400 cows and 200 sheep brought from the mountains.
the High Sheriff of Ross
, by commission, under the great seal, dated 9 June 1725. During the risings of 1715 and 1719 his clan had done much to check the activities of the Mackenzies and other Jacobite clans. During Robert's lifetime his eldest son, Col. Robert helped bring to an end the Siege of Inverness (1715)
and his second son, Cpt. George Munro of Culcairn led men of the clan at the Battle of Glenshiel where they defeated the Jacobites in June 1719.
Robert Munro died in 1729, he had married Jean Forbes, the daughter of John Forbes of Culloden, chief of Clan Forbes
, they had three children:
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...
. He became blind and was known as the Blind Baron.
Member of Parliament
Robert Munro was the eldest son of Sir John Munro, 4th Baronet of Foulis. Robert was granted a charter by King William III of Great BritainWilliam III of England
William III & II was a sovereign Prince of Orange of the House of Orange-Nassau by birth. From 1672 he governed as Stadtholder William III of Orange over Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Guelders, and Overijssel of the Dutch Republic. From 1689 he reigned as William III over England and Ireland...
for confirmation of the lands and barony of Foulis, as well as all of his other estates. Robert represented the County of Ross in Parliament from 1697 to 1702. Sir Robert along with many other Munros is amongst the people of Sutherland and Ross who signed an address to King George I of Great Britain
George I of Great Britain
George I was King of Great Britain and Ireland from 1 August 1714 until his death, and ruler of the Duchy and Electorate of Brunswick-Lüneburg in the Holy Roman Empire from 1698....
, in December 1714, imploring his Royal mercy for Simon Fraser, Lord Lovat, chief of Clan Fraser
Clan Fraser
Clan Fraser is a Scottish clan of French origin. The Clan has been strongly associated with Inverness and the surrounding area since the Clan's founder gained lands there in the 13th century. Since its founding, the Clan has dominated local politics and been active in every major military conflict...
, on his return from France at the instigation of Major James Fraser of Castleleathers.
1715 Jacobite rising
In 1715 William Mackenzie, 5th Earl of SeaforthWilliam Mackenzie, 5th Earl of Seaforth
William Mackenzie, 5th Earl of Seaforth was a Scottish nobleman.He who joined the Jacobite standard at Braemar, during the rising of 1715, and then, having raised 3000 men, was present at the battle of Sheriffmuir and was appointed lieutenant-general of the northern counties...
led a force of 3000 men headed by 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...
which also included men from the Clan MacDonald
Clan Donald
Clan Donald is one of the largest Scottish clans. There are numerous branches to the clan. Several of these have chiefs recognised by the Lord Lyon King of Arms; these are: Clan Macdonald of Sleat, Clan Macdonald of Clanranald, Clan MacDonell of Glengarry, Clan MacDonald of Keppoch, and Clan...
, Clan MacKinnon
Clan MacKinnon
Clan Mackinnon or Clan Fingon is a Highland Scottish clan associated with the islands of Mull and Skye, in the Inner Hebrides.Popular tradition gives the clan a Dalriadic Gaelic origin. The 19th century historian W. F. Skene named the clan as one of the seven clans of Siol Alpin - who according to...
, Clan MacRae
Clan MacRae
The Clan Macrae is a Highland Scottish clan. The clan has no chief; it is therefore considered an Armigerous clan.-Surname:The surname Macrae is an Anglicisation of the patronymic from the Gaelic personal name Macraith. This personal name means "son of grace"...
and the Clan Chisholm
Clan Chisholm
Clan Chisholm is a Scottish clan. The clan had its origin outside Scotland. The first Chisholm to appear in the records of Scotland was Alexander de Chesholme, who witnessed a charter in 1248/49.-Origins of the Clan:...
. He was opposed by Robert's eldest son and heir, Colonel Sir Robert Munro of Foulis who had formed a camp at the Bridge of Alness with 600 men which also included men from the Clan Ross
Clan Ross
Clan Ross is a Highland Scottish clan. The original chiefs of the clan were the original Earls of Ross.-Origins:Clan Ross is a Highland Scottish clan first named as such by King Malcolm IV of Scotland in 1160...
. Munro had sent many of his own men south to protect the lands of the Clan Forbes
Clan Forbes
Clan Forbes is a Lowland Scottish clan from Aberdeenshire, Scotland.-Origins:Concerning the origin of this Scottish clan, John of Forbes, the first upon record, seems to have been a man of importance in the time of William the Lion, and was the father of Fergus, from whom the clan are descended....
of Culloden from the Jacobites. Munro was soon joined by the Earl of Sutherland
Earl of Sutherland
Earl of Sutherland is a title in the Peerage of Scotland. It was created circa 1230 for William de Moravia. The Earl of Sutherland is also the Chief of Clan Sutherland...
and the Chief of Clan Mackay
Clan MacKay
Clan Mackay is an ancient and once powerful Scottish clan from the far north of the Scottish Highlands, but with roots in the old kingdom of Moray. They were a powerful force in politics beginning in the 14th century, supporting Robert the Bruce. In the centuries that followed they were...
who both brought with them only a portion of their clans and expected support from the Clan Grant
Clan Grant
-Origins:The Grants are one of the clans of Siol Alpin, and descend from the 9th century Kenneth MacAlpin, King of Scots; and also of Norse origin, from settlers who are the descents of Haakon inn Riki Sigurdarsson , Jarl of Hladr, Protector of Norway ,-Origins:The Grants are one of the clans of...
did not arrive. The Earl of Seaforth's forces advanced on the Sutherland's camp who made a quick retreat to avoid contact with their more powerful foe. Soon afterwards a council of war was held between the two sides and the Sutherlanders and Mackays peacefully moved back north to their own territory, while much of the Ross's lands were ravaged and the Munros returned home to find their lands of Ferindonald and Foulis Castle had been plundered.
The Sutherlanders and the Munros were not long in retaliating. Sir Robert Munro of Foulis and the Earl of Sutherland gathered their forces and spoiled MacKenzie, Earl of Seaforth's lands of Brahan
Brahan Castle
Brahan Castle was situated south-west of Dingwall, in Easter Ross, Scotland. The castle belonged to the Earls of Seaforth, chiefs of the Clan Mackenzie, who dominated the area.-History:...
.
From Major Fraser's manuscript:
The Earl of Sutherland that night, to be avenged on what was done to him at Alness, and the Munros, also to be revenged of what the MacKenzies and MacDonalds had plundered from them, did encamp near Lord Seaforth's house and there destroy what they could. Then a hundred Frasers and a hundred Munros were sent off to bring in provisions, there being 1500 men encamped that night, and every two men might have had a cow. Being about 400 cows and 200 sheep brought from the mountains.
Sheriff of Ross
Although blind, Robert was an able and intelligent man and was appointed by King George IGeorge I of Great Britain
George I was King of Great Britain and Ireland from 1 August 1714 until his death, and ruler of the Duchy and Electorate of Brunswick-Lüneburg in the Holy Roman Empire from 1698....
the High Sheriff 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...
, by commission, under the great seal, dated 9 June 1725. During the risings of 1715 and 1719 his clan had done much to check the activities of the Mackenzies and other Jacobite clans. During Robert's lifetime his eldest son, Col. Robert helped bring to an end the Siege of Inverness (1715)
Siege of Inverness (1715)
In November 1715 during the Jacobite rising the town of Inverness and Inverness Castle were being held by the Clan Mackenzie, led by Sir John Mackenzie of Coul who supported the rebel Jacobite cause...
and his second son, Cpt. George Munro of Culcairn led men of the clan at the Battle of Glenshiel where they defeated the Jacobites in June 1719.
Robert Munro died in 1729, he had married Jean Forbes, the daughter of John Forbes of Culloden, chief of Clan Forbes
Clan Forbes
Clan Forbes is a Lowland Scottish clan from Aberdeenshire, Scotland.-Origins:Concerning the origin of this Scottish clan, John of Forbes, the first upon record, seems to have been a man of importance in the time of William the Lion, and was the father of Fergus, from whom the clan are descended....
, they had three children:
- Sir Robert Munro, 6th Baronet of Foulis.
- Captain George Munro, 1st of Culcairn
- Dr Duncan James Munro.