Munros of Milntown
Encyclopedia
The Munros of Milntown were a family cadet branch 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...

. They were the 'senior' cadet branch of the clan and spawned many cadet branches. They were frequently recorded as 'Monro' as well as Munro. The Munros of Milntown are notable as being prominently involved in events concerning the Middle Ages, history of the Scottish highlands
Scottish Highlands
The Highlands is an historic region of Scotland. The area is sometimes referred to as the "Scottish Highlands". It was culturally distinguishable from the Lowlands from the later Middle Ages into the modern period, when Lowland Scots replaced Scottish Gaelic throughout most of the Lowlands...

.

15th century

The Munros of Milntown descend from chief Hugh Munro, 9th Baron of Foulis
Hugh Munro, 9th Baron of Foulis
Hugh Munro, 9th Baron of Foulis was a 14th - 15th century Scottish soldier and said to be 12th chief of the Clan Munro in the Scottish Highlands. Hugh was seated at Foulis Castle in Ross-shire, Scotland...

 (d.1425) who supported the 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...

 at the Battle of Harlaw
Battle of Harlaw
The Battle of Harlaw was a Scottish clan battle fought on 24 July 1411 just north of Inverurie in Aberdeenshire. It was one of a series of battles fought during the Middle Ages between the barons of northeast Scotland against those from the west coast....

 in 1411. A younger son of his was John Munro, the first of the Minltown line, whose elder brother George Munro of Foulis was killed during the Battle of Bealach nam Broig
Battle of Bealach nam Broig
The Battle of Bealach nam Broig was a battle fought between Scottish clans from the lands of north-west Ross, against north-eastern clans of Ross who supported the Earl of Ross...

 in 1452. Thus the chieftainship was left to George's then baby son also called John Munro (d.1490). While John Munro of Foulis was still an infant his uncle John Munro of Milntown became a temporary chief of the clan.

While acting as a temporary chief, in 1454 John Munro of Milntown led the 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...

 on a raid into Perthshire
Perthshire
Perthshire, officially the County of Perth , is a registration county in central Scotland. It extends from Strathmore in the east, to the Pass of Drumochter in the north, Rannoch Moor and Ben Lui in the west, and Aberfoyle in the south...

. On their return home they were ambushed by the Clan Mackintosh
Clan MacKintosh
Clan Mackintosh is a Scottish clan from Inverness with strong Jacobite ties. The Mackintoshes were also chiefs of the Chattan Confederation.-Origins:...

 at Clachnaharry, where the Battle of Clachnaharry
Battle of Clachnaharry
The Battle of Clachnaharry was a Scottish clan battle that took place in the year 1454. It was fought between the Clan Munro and the Clan Mackintosh on the south bank of the Beauly Firth at Clachnaharry, on the outskirts of Inverness....

 ensued and many lives were lost on both sides. It is said that John Munro of Milntown lost a hand and the Chief of Clan Mackintosh was killed. John Munro, 1st of Milntown had two children;
  1. Andrew Mor Munro, 2nd of Milntown
  2. John Munro, 1st of Kilmorak.

Milntown Castle

John Munro, 1st of Milntown was succeeded by his eldest son, Andrew Mor Munro, 2nd of Milntown; "a bold, austere, and gallant gentleman, esteemed by his friends, and a terror to his enemies". Andrew is said to have built Milntown Castle
Milntown Castle
Milntown Castle was an early 16th century castle which was situated near Milton, in Easter Ross, in the Scottish Highlands. It was built by the Munros of Milntown, a cadet branch of the Clan Munro. In 1656, the castle was sold to George Mackenzie, 1st Earl of Cromartie also known as George...

 in the year 1500. The family's base, Milntown Castle was at Miltown of Meddat which was so near to Balnagown Castle
Balnagown Castle
Balnagown Castle is located beside the village of Kildary in Easter Ross, part of the Highland area of Scotland. There has been a castle on the site since the 14th century, although the present building was remodelled in the 18th and 19th centuries...

 that the chiefs of 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...

 tried to stop them building it there. Andrew Mor Munro, 2nd of Milntown was succeeded by his eldest son, Andrew Beg Munro, 3rd of Milntown also known as Black Andrew.

16th century and Black Andrew

Perhaps the most famous of the Milntown line was Andrew Munro, 3rd of Milntown who became known as Black Andrew of the seven castles. He received a crown charter for his lands with the office of chief mair or steward of the Earldom of Ross
Earl of Ross
The Mormaer or Earl of Ross was the leader of a medieval Gaelic lordship in northern Scotland, roughly between the River Oykel and the River Beauly.-Origins and transfers:...

. In 1512 King James IV of Scotland
James IV of Scotland
James IV was King of Scots from 11 June 1488 to his death. He is generally regarded as the most successful of the Stewart monarchs of Scotland, but his reign ended with the disastrous defeat at the Battle of Flodden Field, where he became the last monarch from not only Scotland, but also from all...

 granted him the "croft of called the markland of Tulloch" for the annual payment of one pound of wax, payable at midsummer within the Chapel of Delny. In addition to the lands of Milntown, Andrew acquired by grants and purchases extensive possessions in the county of Ross, such as Delny and Newmore in the parish of Rosskeen, Contullich and Kildermorie in the parish of Alness
Alness
Alness is a town and civil parish in Ross and Cromarty, Highland, Scotland. It lies near the Cromarty Firth, with the town of Invergordon to the east and the village of Evanton to the south west...

, Dochcarty in the parish of Dingwall
Dingwall
Dingwall is a town and former royal burgh in the Highland council area of Scotland. It has a population of 5,026. It was formerly an east-coast harbor but now lies inland. Dingwall Castle was once the biggest castle north of Stirling. On the town's present-day outskirts lies Tulloch Castle, parts...

, Allan in the parish of Fearn and Culnauld in the parish of Nigg
Nigg, Highland
Nigg is a village and parish on the north east shore of Nigg Bay in north east Ross-shire and is in the Scottish council area of Highland...

. He was known amongst the local residents as Black Andrew of the seven castles because he had a castle on each of his seven estates, including Contullich Castle
Contullich Castle
Contullich Castle was a castle located a few miles north-west of the town of Alness, on the eastern side of the county of Ross-shire, Scotland....

 and Milntown Castle
Milntown Castle
Milntown Castle was an early 16th century castle which was situated near Milton, in Easter Ross, in the Scottish Highlands. It was built by the Munros of Milntown, a cadet branch of the Clan Munro. In 1656, the castle was sold to George Mackenzie, 1st Earl of Cromartie also known as George...

. Andrew had three sons;
  1. George Munro, 4th of Milntown.
  2. William Munro, 1st of Allan.
  3. Andrew Munro, 1st of Culnauld.


Black Andrew died in 1522 and was succeeded by his eldest son George Munro, 4th of Milntown.

In 1561 George Munro, 4th of Milntown was appointed, by the Queen, Ballie and Chamberlain of her lands and lordships of Ross and Ardmenach, the appointment to continue during her pleasure.

In 1562 at Delvines, Nairn
Nairn
Nairn is a town and former burgh in the Highland council area of Scotland. It is an ancient fishing port and market town around east of Inverness...

, Alistair Gunn chief of Clan Gunn
Clan Gunn
Clan Gunn is a Scottish clan associated with northeastern Scotland, including Caithness and Sutherland as well as the Orkney Islands.The clan's origins stretch over the sea to Norway, and the Clan Gunn themselves claim descent from the legendary viking Sweyn Asleifsson, the progenitor of the clan,...

 insulted the Earl of Moray who soon afterwards sent the Munros to capture Alistair Gunn. The Munros led by one Andrew Munro of Milntown entrapped the Gunns at a place called Delvines near Nairn
Nairn
Nairn is a town and former burgh in the Highland council area of Scotland. It is an ancient fishing port and market town around east of Inverness...

. The Gunn Chief was captured and taken to Inverness where the Earl of Moray had him executed "under pretence of justice".

Between 1561 and 1566 George Munro, 4th of Milntown was feur of Tarlogie and in 1565 he held Inverness Castle
Inverness Castle
Inverness Castle sits on a cliff overlooking the River Ness, in Inverness, Scotland. The red sand stone structure evident today was built in 1836 by architect William Burn. It is built on the site of an 11th century defensive structure. Today, it houses Inverness Sheriff Court. There has been a...

 for the King and Queen. George Munro, 4th of Milntown had added Newmore in Rosskeen and Easter Aird in Tarbat. He also used Docharty near Dingwall
Dingwall
Dingwall is a town and former royal burgh in the Highland council area of Scotland. It has a population of 5,026. It was formerly an east-coast harbor but now lies inland. Dingwall Castle was once the biggest castle north of Stirling. On the town's present-day outskirts lies Tulloch Castle, parts...

, which he had inherited from his father as a territorial base. Three of his younger brothers received the lands of Meikle Allan and Culnald. Milntown remained in the family for three more generations. George Munro of Milntown was Mary, Queen of Scots bailie and chamberlain for the royal lands 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 the Black Isle
Black Isle
The Black Isle is an eastern area of the Highland local government council area of Scotland, within the county of Ross and Cromarty. The name nearly always includes the article "the"....

.
George Munro, 4th of Milntown had four sons;
  1. Andrew Munro, 5th of Milntown.
  2. Donald Munro, 1st of Tarlogie.
  3. George Munro, 1st of Pitlunde, the Chancellor of Ross, from who descend the Munro cadet branches; Bearcrofts, Auchinbowie, Craig Lockhart, Cockburn, Argaty, Edmondsham and Ingsdon. Perhaps the most notable descendants being the Munro of Auchinbowie
    Munro of Auchinbowie
    The Munros of Auchinbowie are a distinguished branch of the Scottish, highland Clan Munro. From this family three Professors of Anatomy at Edinburgh University, Scotland were produced, as well as several other doctors and military officers.-Lineage:The prognitor of the Munros of Auchinbowie is...

     family.
  4. John Munro, 1st of Pitonachy from who also descend the Munro cadet branches of Rosehaugh, Novar
    Novar House
    Novar House is an 18th-century building, located 0.7 miles north of the village of Evanton in Ross, Scotland.-History:The Munros of Novar descend from John Munro, 1st of Milntown, who in turn was the second son of Hugh Munro, 9th Baron of Foulis ....

    , Findon, Poyntzfield and several others. A notable descendant being General Hector Munro, 8th of Novar.


George died in 1576 and was succeeded by his eldest son, Andrew Munro, 5th of Milntown.

In 1568 Ormond Castle
Ormond Castle
Ormond Castle, also known as Avoch Castle, was a powerful stronghold, overlooking the village of Avoch, on the Black Isle, in the former county of Ross and Cromarty, now part of Highland, Scotland....

 and the lands of Suddie in Avoch were acquired by Andrew Munro, 5th of Milntown, also known as Andrew Munro of Newmore
Newmore Castle
Newmore Castle is situated just north of the town of Alness in Ross and Cromarty, Highland, Scotland.The castle is now a ruin. It was once a three storey building, however it is now been reduced to a single storey building with a barrel-vaulted roof remaining...

 during his father's lifetime.

Castle Chanonry of Ross

Fortrose
Fortrose
Fortrose is a burgh in the Scottish Highlands, located on the Moray Firth, approximately ten kilometres north east of Inverness. The town is known for its ruined 13th century cathedral, and as the home of the Brahan Seer. In the Middle Ages it was the seat of the bishopric of Ross...

, Black Isle
Black Isle
The Black Isle is an eastern area of the Highland local government council area of Scotland, within the county of Ross and Cromarty. The name nearly always includes the article "the"....

 1569-73; With the Mackenzies the Munros were often at feud, and Andrew Munro, 5th of Milntown defended and held, for three years, the Castle Chanonry of Ross
Castle Chanonry of Ross
Castle Chanonry of Ross, also known as Seaforth Castle, was located in the town of Fortrose, to the north-east of Inverness, Highland, Scotland. Nothing now remains of the castle...

, which he had received from the Regent Moray who died in 1569, against the Clan Mackenzie, at the expense of many lives on both sides. The feud was settled when the castle was handed over to the Mackenzies peacefully under the act of pacification
Peace
Peace is a state of harmony characterized by the lack of violent conflict. Commonly understood as the absence of hostility, peace also suggests the existence of healthy or newly healed interpersonal or international relationships, prosperity in matters of social or economic welfare, the...

 (a treaty of peace to cease hostilities), because the Mackenzies had more legal right to own the castle.

In Alexander Mackenzie's book 'The History of the Mackenzies' published in 1890 and 'History of the Munroes of Fowlis published in 1898 he claims that an attempted sortie by the Munros for fish at a nearby loch was foiled and as a result the Mackenzies took control of the castle. Although it is recorded by much earlier evidence to have been handed over peacfully under King James VI:

Sir Robert Gordon (1580–1656) writes of the feud in his book "Genealogical History of the Earldom of Sutherland":

The Munros defended and kept the Castle for the space of thrie yeirs, with great slaughter on either syd, vntill it was delyvered to the Clanchenzie, by the Act of Pacification. And this wes the ground beginning of the feud and hartburning, which to this day, remaynes between the Clanchenzie and Munrois

Andrew Munro 5th of Milntown had three sons:
  1. George Munro, 6th of Milntown.
  2. Andrew Munro, 1st of Kincraig.
  3. John Munro, 1st of Fearn.


Munro also had five daughters, the youngest Catherine married a distant relative George Munro, 1st of Obsdale
Munro of Obsdale
The Munros of Obsdale were a a Scottish family and a cadet branch of the Clan Munro, a Highland Scottish clan. Their base was at Obsdale House, situated just north of the town of Alness in the Scottish Highlands...

. Andrew Munro, 5th of Milntown died in 1590 and was succeeded by his eldest son, George Munro, 6th of Milntown.

17th century and Civil War

The Munro of Milntown family came to rival their chiefs the Munros of Foulis
Chiefs of Clan Munro
The chiefs of the Scottish highland Clan Munro, the Munros of Foulis, are according to tradition, descended from a Donald Munro of Foulis who died in 1039...

 in power and influence. In 1621 George Munro 6th, of Milntown became MP
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...

 for Inverness-shire, which then included Ross, Sutherland and Caithness. George also added Meikle, Tarrel and Ballone to his lands, and sat in the Scots Parliament between 1617 and 1621. George also built the tower and belfry of the Church of Kilmuir-Easter, on top of which is an eagle, the armorial crest of the Munros and a monogram; G.M, his initials. George Munro 6th of Milntown had three sons from his first marriage and later two sons from a second marriage:
  1. George Munro 7th of Milntown, succeeded his father in 1623.
  2. John Munro, fought in the Thirty Years' War
    Thirty Years' War
    The Thirty Years' War was fought primarily in what is now Germany, and at various points involved most countries in Europe. It was one of the most destructive conflicts in European history....

     under the clan chief Robert Munro, 18th Baron of Foulis
    Robert Munro, 18th Baron of Foulis
    Colonel Robert Munro of Foulis , also known as the Black Baron, was traditionally the 18th Baron of Foulis in Scotland. He was a soldier of fortune, who served in Germany under the banners of Gustavus Adolphus, king of Sweden...

     and did not return.
  3. William Munro, fought in the Thirty Years' War under the clan chief and did not return.
  4. David Munro, fought in the Thirty Years' War under the clan chief and did not return.
  5. Hector Munro. Of whom there is no account.
  6. John Munro. Of whom there is no account.


George Munro, 7th of Milntown upon receiving his father's lands of Milntown also received the mills and office of chir mair of the Earldom of Ross which included 8 chalders, 4 bolls of victual, a croft named Markland of Tullich, of the extent of one pound of wax and the lands and town of Meikle Meddat of the extent of 6 chalders of bear and oatmeal, other dues, its ale house in the Barony of Delnie, Earldom of Ross and Sherrifdom of Inverness. George Munro, 7th of Milntown had two sons: Andrew Munro, 8th of Milntown and also Hugh Munro who married an unknown.

Andrew Munro, 8th of Milntown was the last of the family to possess the Milntown estate but he continued to dispute Mackenzie domination of the Black Isle
Black Isle
The Black Isle is an eastern area of the Highland local government council area of Scotland, within the county of Ross and Cromarty. The name nearly always includes the article "the"....

. Andrew Munro served as a Capatain under his kinsmen, George Munro, 1st of Newmore
George Munro, 1st of Newmore
Sir George Munro, 1st of Newmore was a 17th century Scottish soldier and member of parliament from the Clan Munro, Ross-shire, Scotland. He was seated at Newmore Castle.-Lineage:...

 during the Irish Confederate Wars
Irish Confederate Wars
This article is concerned with the military history of Ireland from 1641-53. For the political context of this conflict, see Confederate Ireland....

. While he was away Milntown Castle
Milntown Castle
Milntown Castle was an early 16th century castle which was situated near Milton, in Easter Ross, in the Scottish Highlands. It was built by the Munros of Milntown, a cadet branch of the Clan Munro. In 1656, the castle was sold to George Mackenzie, 1st Earl of Cromartie also known as George...

 was burned down by carelessness in 1642, and what was left of Munro's old work was demolished to make way for a Mackenzie purchaser's improvements. The office of Milntown Castle was sold in 1656 to George Mackenzie of Tarbet who later became George Mackenzie, 1st Earl of Cromartie
George Mackenzie, 1st Earl of Cromartie
George Mackenzie, 1st Earl of Cromartie FRS , known as Sir George Mackenzie, 2nd Baronet from 1654 to 1685 and as The Viscount of Tarbat from 1685 to 1703, was a Scottish statesman....

.
In 1644 Andrew Munro, 8th of Milntown returned to Scotland and took a distinguished part in the Battle of Kilsyth
Battle of Kilsyth
The Battle of Kilsyth was an engagement of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms which took place on 15 August 1645 at Kilsyth. Despite the numerical disadvantage, the battle was another victory for Royalist forces over the Covenanters, and marked the end of William Baillie's pursuit of the...

, where he was killed fighting at the head of his company. Andrew Munro was the last in the senior line of the Munros of Milntown.

18th century re-emergence

Although Andrew Munro, 8th of Milntown was the last in the senior line of this family as recorded by historian Alexander Mackenzie, the same historian also notes John Munro of Milntown in 1724 along with several other members of the Munro family and David Bethune of Culnaskea who were all appointed Commissioners of a call on behalf of the parish of Kiltearn
Kiltearn
Kiltearn is a parish in Ross and Cromarty, Scotland. The principal settlement is the village of Evanton, and the parish extends almost to Dingwall and about halfway to Alness. The old Kiltearn church and burial ground are on the shore of the Cromarty Firth. The current church is on the main...

to Rev. John Balfour of Logie-Easter as successor to the Rev. Hugh Campbell.
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