John Munro of Lemlair facts for kids

John Munro, 2nd of Lemlair was a Scottish soldier who lived in the mid-1600s. He became a colonel and fought in important wars in Scotland, England, and Ireland, known as the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. His home was Lemlair House.

Early Life

John Munro, 2nd of Lemlair, was the oldest son of Andrew Munro, 1st of Lemlair. His family was part of the powerful Clan Munro, and his grandfather was Robert Mor Munro, 15th Baron of Foulis, the chief of the clan.

Military Career

John Munro's Military Path

John Munro chose a life in the army. He quickly moved up the ranks to become a colonel. He played a big role in the wars that involved James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose between 1639 and 1649.

Early Public Roles

In 1616, John Munro was part of a special court meeting in Inverness. This meeting confirmed John Gordon, 14th Earl of Sutherland as the new heir to his father. A year later, in 1617, John Munro helped settle a disagreement. He was chosen to help the Earl of Sutherland and Donald Mackay, 1st Lord Reay sort out the borders of their lands.

Joining the Covenanters

In May 1639, John Munro, 2nd of Lemlair, led a group of soldiers. He was part of a large army of 4,000 Covenanters. They marched to Morayshire to stop the Royalists from moving into the North Highlands. They camped at Speyside. Their goal was to keep the Clan Gordon and their allies out of Moray. They stayed there until a peace agreement was signed on June 20.

Switching Sides

Soon after the peace agreement, John Munro of Lemlair changed his allegiance. He followed the example of James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose. Munro left the Covenanters and joined the Royalist side.

The Siege of Inverness (1649)

On February 22, 1649, John Munro of Lemlair led a Royalist uprising. He was joined by Hugh Fraser, Thomas Mackenzie of Pluscardine, and Sir Thomas Urquhart of Cromarty. This uprising was part of a plan for the Marquess of Montrose to try and regain control of the kingdom.

They entered the town of Inverness. They forced the soldiers out of the garrison (a military fort). They also tore down the town's walls and defenses. A meeting of war leaders was held on February 26, and Munro was one of the members. When General David Leslie, Lord Newark approached with his army, the Royalists retreated back into Ross-shire. Leslie was able to make a peaceful deal with Munro, Fraser, and Urquhart. However, he could not reach an agreement with Mackenzie.

The Battle of Carbisdale

In 1650, Munro rejoined the Covenanter army. He served under Colonel Strachan. This army was gathered at Tain. Meanwhile, the Royalist army under Montrose had recently landed in Caithness. They were camped at Culrain.

Colonel Strachan sent out a group of scouts. This group was led by Captain Andrew Munro, who was John Munro of Lemlair's son. The Munros quickly reported back that Montrose had sent out some horsemen to find out what Strachan's army was doing.

To trick the enemy, only one troop of Covenanter horsemen was sent out. These were the only Covenanter forces the Royalist scouts saw. They reported back to Montrose that his opponents only had a single troop of horsemen. This made Montrose think his enemies were weak, and he did not prepare his defenses well.

Strachan, however, had divided his men into four groups. The fourth group included the Munros and Rosses. This group was led by Colonel Munro and Ross of Balnagowan. In the battle that followed, known as the Battle of Carbisdale, the Royalists under Montrose were completely defeated.

Family

Colonel John Munro married Janet, the second daughter of George Gray of Skibo Castle. They had several children:

• George Munro, 3rd of Lemlair: He married Catherine, daughter of Alexander Mackenzie, 1st of Kilcoy. They had two daughters.
• Andrew Munro: He was a captain in the Ross-shire Local Militia and was at the Battle of Carbisdale. He later became a major in Colonel William Lockhart's Regiment. He never married.
• Robert Munro, 4th of Lemlair: He was a captain in the army. He married Jean, the oldest daughter of Kenneth Mackenzie, 1st of Scatwell. They had three sons and two daughters.
• John Munro: He married Margaret, daughter of Rev. George Munro, Chancellor of Ross. They had four sons and one daughter.
• Christian Munro: She married Neil MacLeod, 11th of Assynt. Neil MacLeod was the one who captured Montrose after the Battle of Carbisdale.
• Janet Munro: She married Hugh Munro, 3rd of Findon, and they had children.
• Catherine Munro: She married John Polson of Merkness, and they had children.
• Florence Munro: She married Hector Munro, 4th of Kiltearn, and they had children.
• Isobel Munro: She never married.
• Elizabeth Munro: She married Hugh Munro, 1st of Tulloch, and they had children.