Clan Rose

History

The Roses are a Moray Firth family of Anglo-Norman origin. Clan Rose International says the name descends from the de Ros family, who appeared in the Nairn area in the 12th century, in the reign of David I. Other accounts trace the name to Ros, near Caen in Normandy. The details are uncertain, and the society itself calls one proposed link to the de Ros family of Helmsley unproven. It is a separate name from that of the Celtic Ross family.

Kilravock came through marriage. Hugh de Ros of Geddes married Marie de Bosco, whose mother was a Bisset heiress. Historic Environment Scotland places the family at Kilravock from the 13th century and says the lands have stayed with them since. The clan society adds that the family backed the Scottish cause in the wars of independence. The Chisholm boar's head entered the family arms after Hugh, 4th of Kilravock, married Janet Chisholm. The society says early charters were lost when Elgin Cathedral was attacked in 1390, and that replacements followed.

The present castle dates from about 1460. Historic Environment Scotland describes a 15th-century keep, built after a licence from the Lord of the Isles, with a 17th-century mansion joined to it by a stair tower. Scotland.org records a charter for Kilravock and Geddes in 1475, after the Earls of Ross were forfeited. The society says Mary, Queen of Scots stayed in 1562, and that James VI visited in 1598 and thought well of the 10th laird.

The 17th century drew the Roses into national quarrels. Scotland.org says the 13th baron signed the National Covenant and led his clan against Montrose at Auldearn in 1645, which is the accepted date of the battle. The clan society's history gives 1643, which looks like a slip. He died in 1649, and the estate was deep in debt. In 1715 Arthur Rose was killed leading a clan detachment to seize Inverness for the Government.

Kilravock's best-known guest night came before Culloden in 1746. Historic Environment Scotland records that Prince Charles Edward Stuart dined there, and the clan society says the 16th laird entertained him. The Duke of Cumberland came soon afterwards. The 16th laird is said to have favoured the Government but had no force to resist an army. Historic Environment Scotland also notes a visit by Robert Burns on 6 September 1787.

In the 20th century, Hugh, son of the 24th baron, was killed at the second battle of El Alamein in 1942, according to Scotland.org. The clan society says he served with the Black Watch. The chiefship passed to his sister, and later to the present holder of the title.