Nicholas Ross, 1st Laird of Pitcalnie

Origins

https://www.greatclanross.org/htext6.html

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. .... 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.