Dear
Clansmen and Clanswomen,
The Clan Munro (Association) held a
three day Gathering over the weekend of 9th 10th & 11th August,
2019, as part of the commemoration of the 300th Anniversary of the
last time the Clan fought as a military unit in its own right.
Visiting Dornie, the international group of clansmen &
clanswomen (from the U.S., Canada, Australia, France, Switzerland,
England and from the Highlands), toured Eilean Donan and learnt how
in late May of 1719 on hearing of the threat from a Spanish led
Jacobite Rising, George Munro of Culcairn, the second son of the
Munro Chief immediately came to Inverness to offer his Clan’s
support to the Government Commander, General Whightman, and in his
own words, the very next day marched into town with “….one
hundred private men, six officers, four serjeants and one pyper with
who he went to Glensheil ….”. Acting as scouts for the
Government army, the Munros walked the 50 miles from Foulis to
Inverness and back in a day, then 70 miles more down the south side
of Loch Ness and through Glenmoriston into Glenshiel where on 10th
June 1719 they played a vital part in defeating the Jacobite force,
dislodging the enemy’s right from strongly held positions.
Three Munros were killed in action, and thirteen wounded, two of whom
later died.
At the battlefield site, Clan Chief Hector Munro
of Foulis laid a wreath in memory of all the dead, Brigadier Hugh
Monro and NTS Head Archaeologist Derek Alexander, gave stirring
descriptions of the action, ably assisted by Willie Fraser (NTS
Ranger) who led a group in torrential rain up the hill to the remains
of a redoubt build by the Spaniards.
In the evening the
Inverness Deputy Provost Bet MacAllister hosted a Civic Reception for
the Clan in the magnificently refurbished Town House.
With the
Strathpeffer Games cancelled for the first time since the War due to
the inclement weather, Saturday might have been a disaster, but at
very short notice the Strathpeffer & District Pipe Band, the
Marion Munro & Aileen Wilson Schools of Dance, Melanie Simpson
(accordion) Alpha Munro (fiddle), Felix Beavitt (fiddle), Quin
Simpson guitar came to the rescue performing for the Clan at the
Pavilion.
Visits to the Eagle Stone, once said to mark the
grave of Munros killed in a 15th Century Clan fight, and the
picturesque village of Beauly for the Craft Fair in the Phipps Hall
saved the day. In the evening the Clan were joined for their meal by
The Earl & Countess of Cromartie and his son Lord Tarbat. John
Cromartie, the Chief of Clan Mackenzie gave a short talk on looking
after his ancient Clan seat Castle Leod.
But the highlight of
the Gathering by far was the Sunday at Foulis Castle. It was a
highly successful and happy day. The Chief greeted the visitors in
the morning regaled by the Ardross Pipe Band and in the afternoon the
200 clansfolk were joined by over 200 members of the general
public.
All were treated to an afternoon of Traditional music,
dance, Gaelic song, a wildlife photographic exhibition, a talk on the
Clan DNA project, a presentation on Kiltearn Church and graveyard,
the Highland Archive Centre had on display a selection of important
Clan documents taken from the Writs of Munro of Foulis 1299-1823
currently in their care, whisky tasting, craft stalls, a magic show
for children and refreshments took place elsewhere in the castle and
grounds.
It was all over too soon, but everyone left with a
renewed sense of kinship and the lasting bond of being members of a
close knit Highland Clan.
Thanks are due to all those members
of the Clan and Foulis family who assisted in setting up and running
the Gathering but particularly Lesley Strang Event Production and the
Clan Event Fund of Event Scotland who made it all possible.
With very best wishes
|
Hector W. Munro of Foulis |
October 2019 |
© The Clan Munro Association of Canada
