Murray of Aberscross facts for kids

The Murrays of Aberscross were an important Scottish family. They lived at Aberscross Castle in Sutherland, Scotland. The Murrays in Sutherland were recognized as a clan in official Scottish records during the 1500s.

History of the Aberscross Murrays

Family Beginnings

The Murray of Aberscross family lived in the northern part of Scotland, as shown on this clan map.

Even though they were called Murray, this family was not part of the main Clan Murray from Tullibardine. Instead, they were a "sept" of the Clan Sutherland. A sept is a family that belongs to a larger clan, often sharing a common ancestor or being closely allied. The leaders of Clan Sutherland were the Earls of Sutherland.

The Earls of Sutherland originally had a name like "de Moravia." This means "of Moray" or "of Murray." They shared an ancestor with the main Clan Murray. Historians believe that all Murray families came from the Morays of Bothwell.

The Murrays of Aberscross likely arrived in Sutherland around 1198. Hugo de Moravia, a son of Freskin, became the first Lord of Sutherland. His son, William, was the first Earl of Sutherland. Hugo's cousins or nephews, Richard de Moravia and Gilbert de Moravia, are thought to be the ancestors of the Aberscross Murrays. Richard was a brave soldier. He famously defended Sutherland's coast from Vikings in 1245 at the Battle of Embo. Gilbert became a bishop.

Gilbert gave the lands of Skelbo to his brother Richard. Richard's family kept these lands for 200 years. Richard's descendants were brave and respected warriors. They owned a lot of land in Sutherland and were close allies with the powerful Sutherland family.

Fights with the Mackays

As part of Clan Sutherland, the Murrays of Aberscross were key supporters of the Earls of Sutherland. They helped defend the area. In 1431, the Murrays led Clan Sutherland against the Clan Mackay at the Battle of Drumnacoub. Angus Murray of Pulrossie was killed in this battle.

Later, Angus Murray's son, Neil Murray, led Clan Sutherland in 1455. This was at the Battle of Skibo and Strathfleet against the Clan Donald. The Murray families of Culbin and Pulrossie were also related to Richard de Moravia.

In 1494, the Murrays had a disagreement with the Kinnaird family. This was about who owned Skelbo Castle. The Kinnairds, who were also related to Richard de Moravia, eventually got the castle.

Supporting the Gordon Earls

In the early 1500s, a younger son of the Earl of Huntly married an heiress of the last de Moravia Earl of Sutherland. This brought the Gordon family into power in Sutherland. The Murrays of Aberscross first supported Alexander Sutherland. He challenged the Gordon family's claim to the Earldom.

However, the Murrays of Aberscross then supported the new Gordon Earls of Sutherland. They fought in battles like the Battle of Torran Dubh in 1517 against Mackay of Strathnaver. They also fought at the Battle of Alltachuilain in 1518 or 1519 against Alexander Sutherland himself. The Murray of Aberscross family won both times.

For their loyalty, the Gordon Earls offered the Murrays women for marriage, but they refused. Historian Robert Mackay noted that John Murray of Aberscross and his children earned great respect from Earl Adam Gordon for defending the Earldom.

The Murrays often suffered attacks on their lands in Rogart and Dornoch. This was because of revenge from their enemies. After the Gordon Earl of Sutherland lost his power in 1563, the Murrays in Sutherland got involved in more fights. These were mostly against the Clan Mackay, but also against the Sutherland Laird of Duffus and the Earl of Caithness. In 1542, Hutcheon Murray of Aberscross led Clan Sutherland at the Battle of Alltan-Beath. They defeated the Clan Mackay there.

Fights with the Earl of Caithness

In 1570, a feud started between Alexander Gordon, 12th Earl of Sutherland and George Sinclair, 4th Earl of Caithness. The Earl of Caithness was the leader of the Clan Sinclair. Caithness was supported by his father-in-law, Alexander Sutherland of Duffus.

Caithness had William Sutherland of Evelick attack the Murrays of Aberscross. They captured John Croy-Murray. Hugh Murray of Aberscross then gathered his friends. They attacked Evelick's lands and other villages belonging to the Laird of Duffus. They also took a Sutherland noble as a hostage to ensure John Croy-Murray's safety.

The Sutherland Laird of Duffus gathered his family at Skibo Castle. They planned to burn the town of Dornoch. However, the Murrays met them in battle. They defeated them and chased them back to Skibo Castle. Prisoners were then exchanged for John Croy-Murray. This event was called the Battle of Torran-Roy.

When the Earl of Caithness heard about this, he sent his son, the Master of Caithness. The Master of Caithness and the Mackays then surrounded the Murrays in Dornoch Castle and the church. The Murrays held out for a week before giving up. Several of them were then executed. Later, George Sinclair, 4th Earl of Caithness, imprisoned his own son for making peace with the Murrays.

Hugh Murray of Aberscross married a daughter of John Mackay, 11th of Strathnaver, the chief of Clan Mackay. They had a son also named Hugh. In 1586, Hugh Murray of Aberscross helped lead the group that defeated the Clan Gunn at the Battle of Leckmelm.

In 1590, John Murray of Aberscross was killed. He was leading Clan Sutherland against the Earl of Caithness at the Battle of Clynetradwell.

Losing the Aberscross Estate

In the early 1600s, the Murrays of Aberscross and the Gordon family of Sutherland were not very friendly. This was partly because the Murrays had refused to fight at the Battle of Clynetradwell in 1590. They only wanted to fight if they could be on the right side of the army, as they were used to. Because of this, they increasingly looked to the chiefs of the main Murray House of Tullibardine for support. Hugh Murray, an important leader of the clan, died in 1610 at an old age.

In 1623, John Murray of Aberscross led the right side of Sir Robert Gordon, 1st Baronet's army. This army marched into Caithness and forced George Sinclair, 5th Earl of Caithness to surrender. He had been declared a rebel.

According to Sir Robert Gordon, Alexander Murray of Aberscross died in 1631 after falling from stairs. He left one son and two daughters. Half of his estate went to the Earl of Sutherland. The other half also went to the Earl because the last Laird of Duffus, who was superior of that part, had died. Sir Robert Gordon said that John Gordon, 14th Earl of Sutherland treated Alexander Murray's family fairly. This was because of the long and loyal service the Murrays had given to the Sutherlands.

The Earl gave parts of the estate to Alexander's mother, his wife, and his children to help them. Another part was kept by the Earl to show his authority. The estate of Aberscross had so much debt that the family could never get it back.

Jacobite Risings

During the Jacobite rising of 1715, the person managing the Aberscross lands led twenty men. They supported the Earl of Sutherland at the Skirmish of Alness against the Jacobites.

Aberscross Castle

Today, there are no remains of the family's castle at Aberscross. It fell into ruin in the 1600s. The de Moravia (Murray) family owned Aberscross Castle from the late 1100s when they first came to Sutherland.

Lairds (incomplete list)

• Angus Murray of Pulrossie (died 1431)
• Neil Murray of Aberscross (around 1480)
• John Murray of Aberscross (around 1518)
• Hutcheon Murray of Aberscross (around 1542)
• Hugh Murray of Aberscross (around 1554)
• Hugh Murray of Aberscross (around 1570)
• Hugh Murray of Aberscross (around 1581)
• John Murray of Aberscross (died 1590)
• Alexander Murray of Aberscross (died 1631)

Images for kids

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  A map showing the location of the Murray of Aberscross family in Scotland.