Alexander Ross, 9th Lord of Balnagowan

Han var den 9. godsejer af Balnagown.

Chief Alexander Ross 9th of Balnagowan is recorded as being a man of violence, utterly unscrupulous, given to raiding lands and forcing his clansmen to draw out agreements in his favour with total disregard for the law. Soon he was imprisoned in Tantallon Castle. Later he was released on the condition that he would live peacefully but he did not. His own son George was given permission to use fire and sword against him but Alexander could not be brought in.

Family

The Scottish Antiquary: Or, Northern Notes & Queries, Volumes 3-4. “Line of Balnogown.” Page 10. GoogleBooks

15. Walter, eighth of Balnagown, was slain at Tain 12th May 1528 (Kal. of F.), having married Marion, daughter of Sir John James Grant of Grant, by whom he had,

16. Alexander, ninth of Balnagown, on 5th April 1569, signed a bond to be faithful to James VI. and the Regent. He was confined in the Castle of Thomptalloun (Reg. P. Coun.). He died at Ardmore 25th October 1592, buried at Ferne, having married,

first, Janet, daughter of John, third Earl of Caithness. Charter to him and Janet Sinclair his wife of the lands of Eister Rarichies, 26th September 1546 (Great Seal). He had by her,

• 17. George. (See below.)
• (1.) Katherine, the witch' (see Appendix C.), she married, as second wife, Robert More Munro of Foulis, who died 4th November 1588, by whom she had, with four daughters :-1. Geo. Munro of Obsdale. 2. John of Davanch, who married Beatrix Ross, Sas. 24th January 1607, relict, and now spouse to Andrew Ross of Shandwick.
• (2.) Agnes (perhaps by first wife), married Duncan Campbell of Boath.
• (3.) Christian (by first wife?), married Kenneth Mackenzie, third of Dochmaluak, who died 1617, buried at Beauly.

He married, secondly, Katherine, daughter of Kenneth Mackenzie of Kintail; she died at Daan 12th April 1592, was buried at Ferne, and, with various daughters, had,

• 21. Nicholas, first of Pitcalnie. (See post.)
• 72. Malcolm. In 1580 King James granted him the chaplainry of Cambuscurry for his education. Charter to him of the lands of Cambuscurry 8th August 1598 (Great Seal). Sas. 30th April 1606 on precept from chancery to him for the mill of Morinsche. He died s.p.

Biography

“The Chiefs of Balnagowan“

Alexander Ross, the ninth of Balnagowan, invested in "modern" military equipment, including a cannon and coats of mail for unscrupulous acts against neighbouring clans. Laird Alexander, as a supporter of the Congregation of Reformers, was fined £80 for refusing to join the royal standard of the Queen Regent, mother of Mary Queen of Scots, supported by the Catholics. Nicholas Ross Abbot of Fearn received a bond of alliance and protection from the laird and, when he resigned in 1567 as Catholic Abbot and Provost of the Collegiate Church of Tain, the relics of St. Duthac were handed over to Laird Alexander for safe keeping. The members of Clan Ross had accepted the doctrines of the Reformed Church of Scotland. Nevertheless, the wild and lawless Alexander continued to be a thorn in the side of the Regency and paid fines or came under letters of "fire and sword" or agreed to rebuild destroyed properties.
His marriage to Janet, the daughter of the third Earl of Caithness, produced six offspring: (1) Robert; (2) Hector; (3) George, who became the tenth of Balnagowan; (4) Catherine, who was the second wife of Robert Munro of Foulis, and was tried for witchcraft; (5) Agnes and (6) Christian, who married Kenneth MacKenzie third of Dochmaluak.
By his second wife, Catherine daughter of Kenneth MacKenzie of Kintail, there were two sons: (1) Nicholas, who became the first laird of Pitcalnie and also generated three further cadet branches of Clan Ross (the Rosses of Kindeace, Invercastley and Calrossie), and (2) Malcolm, who died without issue.
Chief Alexander Ross died at Ardmore in 1592, and was buried at Fearn.