Sir Hector Munro, 2nd Baronet facts for kids

Sir Hector Munro, 2nd Baronet of Foulis was born in August 1635. He was a young Scottish noble and the leader, or "clan chief," of the highland Clan Munro. People traditionally consider him the 20th Baron and 23rd overall chief of his clan. However, historical records show he was actually the 13th chief whose leadership can be clearly proven.

A Young Chief's Early Life

Hector Munro, 2nd Baronet, was the son of Sir Hector Munro, 1st Baronet and Mary Mackay. His mother was the daughter of Hugh Mackay, who was the chief of the Clan Mackay. Sadly, Hector's father, the 1st Baronet, died in 1635, the very year Hector the 2nd Baronet was born.

Because Hector was so young, his powerful cousins, the Munros of Obsdale and the Munros of Lemlair, had a lot of influence.

Guardians of the Clan

According to historian R.W. Munro, Hector Munro, 2nd Baronet, died in 1651 when he was only 14 years old. Since he was too young to lead the clan himself, this period was called his "minority." During this time, Robert Monro from the Obsdale family branch and John Munro of Lemlair acted as his "tutors" or guardians. They were in charge of leading the clan.

Robert Monro, who had been an important military leader in Ireland, was later put in prison by Oliver Cromwell. So, John Munro of Lemlair took over the military command of the clan. He led the clan to support the royalist uprising at Inverness in 1649. Later, he changed sides to support the Covenanters and led the clan at the Battle of Carbisdale in 1650, just a year before Hector's death.

The Mystery of His Death

Historian Alexander Mackenzie states that Hector Munro, 2nd Baronet, died in 1651 at the age of 17. However, different historical records tell slightly different stories about how and when he died.

The Munro MS history, written between 1673 and 1697, says that Hector died at his uncle Donald Mackay, 1st Lord Reay's house in 1651. This house was located in Durness, Sutherland. But another record, Fraser's Wardlaw MS, disagrees on the year of his death. It also hints that there might have been "suspicion of mal[e]fice," meaning some people wondered if something bad had happened to him. On the other hand, Burke's Peerage and Baronetage, a well-known book about noble families, has always stated that he died while traveling in Holland.

Who Became Chief Next?

No matter the exact details of Sir Hector Munro, 2nd Baronet's death, his second cousin, Robert Munro of Obsdale, took over as the chief of the Clan Munro in Ross-shire. Robert then became Sir Robert Munro, 3rd Baronet.