Sir Robert Munro, 5th Baronet facts for kids
Sir Robert Munro, 5th Baronet of Foulis (who passed away on 11 September 1729) was an important leader of the Clan Munro. He was the 23rd Baron and the 26th chief of his clan. Sir Robert became blind during his life, which led to him being known as the Blind Baron.
A Voice in Parliament
Robert Munro was the oldest son of Sir John Munro, 4th Baronet of Foulis. King William III officially confirmed that Robert would inherit his family's lands and estates. From 1697 to 1702, Robert was chosen to represent Ross-shire in the Scottish Parliament. This meant he helped make decisions and laws for the country.
In December 1714, Sir Robert and many other people from the Sutherland and Ross areas signed a letter to King George I of Great Britain. In this letter, they asked the King to show kindness to Simon Fraser, 11th Lord Lovat, who was the chief of the Clan Fraser of Lovat. Simon Fraser had just returned from France.
The 1715 Jacobite Rising
During the Jacobite rising of 1715, a large group of 3000 men, led by William Mackenzie, 5th Earl of Seaforth, marched through the land. This group included members from the Clan Mackenzie, Clan MacDonald, Clan Mackinnon, Clan Macrae, and the Clan Chisholm.
Sir Robert Munro's oldest son, Sir Robert Munro, 6th Baronet, stood against them. He gathered about 600 men, including some from the Clan Ross, at the Bridge of Alness. Many of his own men had been sent south to protect other lands from the Jacobites. Soon, John Gordon, 16th Earl of Sutherland and George Mackay, 3rd Lord Reay joined young Robert. They brought some of their clan members, making the total force about 1800 men. However, the expected help from the Clan Grant did not arrive.
The Earl of Seaforth's large force moved towards the Sutherland camp. To avoid a fight against a much stronger enemy, the Sutherland and Mackay forces quickly retreated north to their own areas. Sadly, much of the Ross lands were damaged, and when the Munros returned home, they found their lands of Ferindonald and Foulis Castle had been robbed and damaged.
But the Sutherlands and Munros didn't wait long to get even! Sir Robert Munro of Foulis and the Earl of Sutherland gathered their forces again. They then went to the Earl of Seaforth's lands around Brahan and caused damage there.
One old record describes this time: The Earl of Sutherland and the Munros camped near Lord Seaforth's house to get revenge for what had happened to them. They destroyed what they could. Then, 100 Frasers and 100 Munros were sent to find food for the 1500 men camped that night. They brought back about 400 cows and 200 sheep from the mountains.
Sheriff of Ross
Even though he was blind, Robert was a very smart and capable man. King George I appointed him as the Sheriff of Ross on 9 June 1725. This was a very important job, like being a chief law enforcement officer for the area.
During the uprisings of 1715 and 1719, Robert's clan had done a lot to stop the activities of the Mackenzies and other clans who supported the Jacobite cause. Robert's oldest son, Colonel Robert, helped end the Siege of Inverness (1715). His second son, Captain George Munro of Culcairn, led clan members at the Battle of Glen Shiel in June 1719, where they defeated the Jacobites.
Sir Robert Munro passed away in 1729. He was married to Jean Forbes, the daughter of John Forbes of Culloden. They had four children:
- Sir Robert Munro, 6th Baronet
- George Munro, 1st of Culcairn
- Dr Duncan Munro of Obsdale
- Ann Munro, who married Alexander Gordon of Ardoch (later Poyntzfield) in Resolis
