Tain & District Museum and Clan Ross CentreVol 5 Issue 1March 2018

Editor’s Letter

March 2018 has roared in like a lion here in Easter Ross with a mighty snow storm courtesy of the “Beast from the East” so let us hope it is going to go out like a lamb, as the saying goes.

On the 24th of March 2018 Chief David Ross of Ross and Balnagown has been head of the Clan Ross for 50 years.

Here at Tain & District Museum and Clan Ross Centre we are marking the occasion with this special edition of our newsletter, as well as publishing “THE FAMILY OF ROSS OF SHANDWICK AND IT'S DESCENDANTS” on the museum website. This is the work of Chief David Ross of Ross and Balnagowan which he has kindly agreed to share with the Clan.

In our Anniversary edition we publish messages of congratulation to Chief David from across the world as well as looking back at past Clan Ross gatherings held here in Tain. We also remember Miss Rosa.

I would like to add my own congratulations to Chief David and Lady Eileen. They make a great team and have worked hard to promote the Clan. David has been a source of good advice and helpful information to me personally and a great supporter of Tain & District Museum for which I am very grateful.

Morag Ross Bremner

Tain Through TimeTain & District Museum and Clan Ross CentreTower Street,Tain,IV19 1DYwww.tainmuseum.org.uk

E: info@tainmuseum.org.ukP: 01862894089

Commemorative 50th Anniversary Edition

Tain, the day after the “Beast from the East”

MESSAGE FROM TAIN

Dear Ross

On behalf of the Trustees, Volunteers and Staff of Tain & District Museum and Clan Ross Centre I would like to thank you for the support you have given the museum over the years.

In 2009 and 2014 you and Lady Eileen, together with your family made a huge contribution to the success of the Tain & District Museum and Clan Ross Centre Gatherings; greeting clan members from around the world, leading the parades, giving a wonderful talk and leading the dancing at the ceilidh.

In your 50 years of Chieftainship you have promoted the feeling of kinship and belonging for Rosses spread across

the world which in turn has brought many back to Easter Ross and Tain where it is our pleasure to welcome them.

We would like to express our warmest congratulations in this special year for both your Diamond Wedding Anniversary and 50 years as Chief of the Name and Arms of Ross.

Elizabeth Fraser,Chairwoman,

Vol 5 Issue 1March 2018

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2018 is a very significant anniversary year for your Chief, David Ross of Ross and Balnagowan; and the clan. The most important event of all is that my wife Eileen and I celebrate our Diamond Wedding Anniversary. The wedding took place in Edinburgh, Scotland on 7th February 1958. Furthermore, on March 24th I celebrate 50 years as Chief of the Name and Arms of Ross. I succeeded to this ancient title on the death of my distant cousin, Miss Rosa Williamson Ross of Ross and Pitcalnie, who died at the age of 99. She was the last member of that great family to hold the Chiefship.

It is worth recalling that there have been, including myself, 27 Chiefs of the Name, all descended from Farquhar, who was created first Earl of Ross in 1234. Apart from the 4 Earls of Ross in my family tree, there were 13 members of the Balnagowan family, which died out in the direct line in 1711; 9 members of the Pitcalnie family; and myself whose descent is from the Earldom through the Shandwick branch of the family, from which all future chiefs will come.

The Shandwick family, and its cadet (that is junior) branch, the Rosses of Balblair, have had an impact on the evolution of the United States of America through, for example, Col George Ross, a signer of the Continental Association, and the United States Declaration of Independence as the Pennsylvania Delegate. He was also the uncle of the John Ross who married Betsy Griscom, who was so involved in the sewing of the first American flag.It was clear at the time of my accession to the chiefship that “Miss Rosa” (as everyone knew her) had been corresponding with Rosses in the United States, which of course continued through me after her death. During the years following 1972 I was travelling at least once a year to the United States on inward investment (to Scotland) business. I came to learn about the American Scottish Foundation located in New York City, whose President was Lady Natalie Douglas Hamilton. One of her Board members was Mr W.Ogden Ross of New Haven, Ct. I was invited to the Foundation's Scottish Ball and Dinner that was held in November 1975, which was also attended by Lt.Col.(retd) Hardin Ross, who had met with my late father, Sheriff Charles Ross, younger of Ross, after the Clan Gathering in Tain in 1961, which was also attended by Dr John Ross, author of “The Great Clan Ross”.

At that dinner in NYC was a founder and then President of the Grandfather Highland Games, Nestor J. MacDonald, who was later to invite the Chief and his Lady to the 1976 Grandfather Mountain Highland Games as Guests of Honor, along with the Duke of Argyll. There was a significant Clan Ross presence there, organised through Hardin and his gracious wife, Tabitha, along with many others too numerous to mention. It was also at these Games that the Clan Ross Association of the United States (CRAUS) was formed, with Hardin elected President, which still exists in a slightly different legal form today.

Letter From The Chief

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Letter From The ChiefVol 5 Issue 1March 2018

It is important to note that the dinner in NYC in 1975 also led in June 1976 to the Chief and Lady Eileen being Guests of Honor at the very special commemorative lunch being held by the Betsy Ross Foundation in Philadelphia.

After the great success of those first Games, I and on nearly all occasions Lady Eileen, have attended as Guests of Honor numerous Highland Games across the United States. I would specifically mention, apart from “Grandfather” in 1976, Stone Mountain in 1987,1988,1992,1997, 2003 and other occasions when on business trips in Atlanta as an individual; Williamsburg in 1986; The Caledonian Club of San Francisco at their last Games at Santa Rosa before moving to Pleasanton, 1993; Glasgow Ky. Highland Games in 1999, the Central Florida Scottish Highland Games in 2003; and the Texas Scottish Festival in 2005. As an addition I have also attended the Sydney Scottish Games in Sydney, Australia, and in Honolulu, Hawaii, and three meetings in Canada. It should be noted that most Highland Games in the United States, and indeed all the major ones, demand that any Clan Association wishing to take part has the endorsement of the Chief of the Name.

These opportunities allowed us to meet many members of the Clan Association, a significant number of whom became personal friends, for which we shall be eternally grateful. Many are, sadly, no longer with us, but they remain strongly in our memory. We hope in turn that members across the U.S have enjoyed meeting Lady Eileen and I over these past 42 years.

David Ross of Ross and Balnagowan.

The photograph reproduced here, is of Hardin, Tabitha and I taken at the American Scottish Foundation Ball of 1975 in New York City.

The happy couple on the 7th February 1958

Messages of Congratulation Vol 5 Issue 1March 2018

Tain & District Museum and Clan Ross Centre is a charity recognised in Scotland SC 017848

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CLAN ROSS NZ

It is with immense pleasure that Clan Ross Association of NZ congratulate Chief David on 50 years service as Chief of the Clan.

Clan Ross keeps in touch following its AGM & Gathering each year to which the Chief always replies with Clan activities and news of his family. This link is most valued.

Some Clan Ross NZ members have had the pleasure of visiting Tain and have taken part in events there which is special and makes our kinship stronger.

Congratulations again Chief David and may good health be yours to enjoy.

Felicity Woodfield (nee Ross) Clan Ross NZ Secretary

CLAN ROSS AMERICA

Greetings Tain & District Museum and Clan Ross Centre,

Clan Ross America would love to join with our Clan Ross cousins and friends in wishing Chief David Ross of Ross and Balnagowan a most rewarding 50th anniversary of his assent to the leadership of Clan Ross.

Our website www.clanross.org has news of his anniversary and background on his role in the founding of our organization. We want to wish Chief David, his wife Eileen and all of his family a joyous celebration of this cherished event.

Paul Ross, PresidentClan Ross America

CLAN ROSS CANADA

Congratulations to Chief David on the occasion of his 50th anniversary as chief of Clan Ross and on the publishing of his manuscript. The Clan Ross Association of Canada has been a longstanding association and has valued our relationship with Chief David and his leadership of the clan.

Regards,Clan Ross Association of Canada Executive

To read “The Family of Ross and It’s Descendants” go to:

http://www.tainmuseum.org.uk/ross-of-shandwick.asp

Messages of Congratulation Vol 5 Issue 1March 2018

Tain & District Museum and Clan Ross Centre is a charity recognised in Scotland SC 017848

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THE NETHERLANDS

We would like to congratulate David with his 50th anniversary as Chief of Clan Ross.

We remember very good his visits (with Lady Eileen) to The Netherlands in May 1992. The picture bottom right is taken near Loevestein Castle. In 1991 we celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary in Edinburgh where David and Eileen were our guests of honour. The picture above right is taken on the steps of the Claymore Hotel on the Royal Terrace.

We regret the contact lost after some years.Greetings,George and Wil Ross,Roosendaal,The Netherlands.

AUSTRALIA

My congratulations to Chief David on attaining 50 years as Chief, also to Eileen his lovely supportive wife.Our friendship goes back many years.

I represented the Clan in Adelaide, especially with the then ScotsCronies Club.David appointed me 3 years ago as Commander of Clan Ross in Australia.

Des Ross(Pipe Major)

FINLAND

On behalf of the Finnish Ross descendants in the Granroth Association I wish Chief David all the best on your 50th anniversary as chief of Clan Ross! We appreciate all the work you and the Rosses engaged in the Clan Ross Centre, Tain, have done to keep our roots alive. It has been a memory for life to meet you and your family and participate in the Ross Clan meetings, including the parades in Tain. One day we will found a Ross Clan Association here, as you promised me I can, during one of the Granroths' travels to Scotland.

Inge Ekstrand

Clan Ross Memories Vol 5 Issue 1March 2018

2009

Clan Ross Memories Vol 5 Issue 1March 2018

2014

Remembering Miss Rosa Vol 5 Issue 1March 2018

Miss Rosa (centre) with her sister Miss Ethel (left)

A sketch of Ballone Castle by Miss Rosa

Miss Rosa succeeded as Chief of Clan Ross on the death of her elder sister, Miss Ethel, in 1957. She died on March 24th, 1968 aged 99 years. The chiefship and armorial dignities were transferred to the house of Shandwick and David Ross of Ross and Balnagowan

In her latter years she worked with Rosemary Mackenzie, one of the founders of Tain & District Museum and Clan Ross Centre, to archive the Pitcalnie family documents which are now housed in the National Archives.

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/c/F24042

Tain & District Museum and Clan Ross Centre is a charity recognised in Scotland SC 017848

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George Ross, 10th of Pitcalnie,grand-uncle to George, Ethel Frances Sarah and Rosa Williamson Ross; 11th,12th and 13th Chief of Clan Ross respectively.