Features: Scottish Clan Early Genealogy - Clan Rose

Motto: Constant and True
Historic Seat: Kilravock Castle
District: Nairn, Inverness
Associated Surnames: Barron, Geddes
Associated Tartans:

Early Rose Genealogy and History:
(Excerpt from "The Scottish Clans and Their Tartans", James Grant, 1906)

The Roses of Kilravock have enjoyed their property through a descent of nineteen generations. The Rosses, or Roses, were in other parts of Scotland as early as the time of King David I; but the documentary history of the Kilravock family commences in the reign of Alexander II, at which time they held the lands of Geddes, in the county of Inverness, Hugh Rose appearing as a witness to the foundation of the Priory of Beaulieu in 1219. His son and successor, Hugh, marrying Mary, daughter of Sir Andrew de Rosco of Redcastle, who inherited the barony of Kilravock through her mother, he obtained that addition to his possessions, the deed of conveyance being confirmed by charter from John Baliol in 1293.

He was succeeded by his son William, who married Morella, daughter of Alexander de Donn, by whom he had two sons; Andrew, the second, ancestor of the Rosses of Auchlossan, in Mar, and Hugh, his successor, who, in a deed of agreement respecting the prior of Urquhart and the Vicar of Dalcross, is styled "nobilis vir Hugo Rose, dominus de Kilravock." His son Hugh married Janet, daughter of Sir Robert Chisholm, constable of the castle of Urquhart, by whom he received a large accession of lands in Strath Nairn, etc.

He left a son, Hugh, who was succeeded by his son John, who was served heir to his father in 1431; he procured a charter de noro of all his lands, a feudal provision for the better security of property against adverse claims, so often preferred in those troublous times. The wife of this chief was Isabella, daughter of Cheyne, Laird of Esslemont, in Aberdeenshire. Hugh, son of this marriage, built the old tower of Kilravock in 1460. The "Barons of Kilravock" intermarried with the first families in the north, and filled various situations of high trust and honour.

The castle in an old picturesque building, situated on the bank of the river Nairn. It is still inhabited, and contains some old armour, portraits, and family relics. There is scarcely any family whose charter chest is more amply stored with documents, not only of private importance, but of great antiquarian interest.

(End excerpt)

Next page: Clan Ross