George Munro, 1st of Culcairn

Sir George Munro of Culcairn (1685 – 1746) was a Scottish soldier of the 18th century from Ross-shire, Scotland. He commanded the 3rd Independent Highland Company from 1714 to 1716, fought at the Battle of Glen Shiel in 1719, led the 6th Company in formation of the "Black Watch" in 1725, the 8th Company of Black Watch when it was regimented in 1739 and again commanded an Independent Highland Company in 1745–1746. He was shot in error in 1746. the second son of Sir Robert Munro, 5th Baronet of Foulis, chief of the Clan Munro, who was also known as the Blind Baron. George's elder brother was Sir Robert Munro, 6th Baronet of Foulis, the next successive chief of the clan.

Jacobite rising of 1719

During the Jacobite rising of 1719, Captain George Munro of Culcairn led a detachment of Munros at the Battle of Glen Shiel where they helped to defeat the Jacobites. During the battle George who was wounded was shielded by his servant, however he told his men to carry on and not to shield him. The Jacobites continued to fire at George after he was down, until Sergeant Robert Munro, son of Hugh Munro of Tullochue, with a small party, dislodged Captain George Munro's assailants, after having previously swore upon his dirk that he would effect his rescue. The Jacobites were soon put into retreat and after the battle the Jacobite rising was over. Simpson also states that the battle raged for three hours but the superior power of the Government grenadiers along with the aggressive forays of the Munros won the day for the Government.

Formation of the Black Watch and War in France

In 1725 six Independent Highland Companies were formed. One of Munros, one of Frasers, one of Grants and three of Campbells. George Munro of Culcairn was made a Captain in Munro's company under his elder brother Colonel Sir Robert. In 1739 ten Independent Highland Companies were embodied into a regiment of the line. The regiment then was officially known as the 43rd Highlanders (later renumbered the 42nd and also known as the "Black Watch" ). The regiment's first action together came at the Battle of Fontenoy in 1745 against the French, however George Munro of Culcairn had retired from the regiment in 1744.

Jacobite rising of 1745

During the Jacobite rising of 1745 the Munros continued their support for the British Government. George Munro was appointed the command of the Munro Independent Highland Company. While his elder brother, Robert Munro, now the chief of the clan was appointed command of the English 37th Regiment of Foot and Robert's son, Sir Harry Munro, 7th Baronet held command in Loudon's Highlanders regiment.

General Sir John Cope arrived at Inverness on 29 August 1745. George Munro of Culcairn met him and agreed that the Munros "should instantly take arms and join the King's troops". having escorted Sir John Cope successfully to Aberdeen had returned to the north under George Munro of Culcairn and were not present at Prestonpans. Another account states that the Munros held position at the village of Oldmeldrum and were not involved in the battle at all.

John Campbell, 4th Earl of Loudoun and Sir John Cope had escaped by sea to London after the Battle of Prestonpans from whence Loudoun later returned north to Inverness to take command in the north but was forced with Duncan Forbes, Lord Culloden and George Munro of Culcairn to withdraw through the Black Isle into Ross-shire being pressed by a much larger Jacobite force. After the Jacobite rising had been suppressed a Munro Independent Company under Harry Munro of Foulis and the command of his uncle, George Munro of Culcairn continued to police the Highlands. George Munro and his Independent Company burned Achnacarry Castle, which was the seat of the Clan Cameron, watched by Donald Cameron of Lochiel, chief of the Clan Cameron. The Camerons had been the most staunch of Jacobites and were also responsible for the murder of George's elder brother Sir Robert Munro, 6th Baronet after the Battle of Falkirk Muir.

Around the same time that Achnacarry Castle was burned a Government officer from the Clan Grant, seized a young man by the name of Cameron, who had been sent by his father, Dugald Roy Cameron, to Fort William to surrender their arms. Grant shot the young Cameron on the spot. MacLeod states that on 19 August, Lord Loudon (John Campbell, 4th Earl of Loudoun) ordered Munro to sweep through Knoydart and into Lochaber. The MacGillonies (who were a branch or sept of Clan Cameron), later delivered up a suspect called Evan Bane as a scapegoat, Lord Loudoun reacted angrily ordering Cameron of Fassefern to find the right man within ten days.

Another suspect was the Jacobite Grant of Moy whose lands had been burnt and plundered by George Munro of Culcairn. Grant of Moy had been walking along the road with a gun when Munro of Culcairn was shot, but a turn in the road concealed him from the soldiers when the shot was fired. He was immediately seized under suspicion by the soldiers and taken to Fort William, but later released. It is recorded how John Munro of Culcairn treated him to the best of Strong Ale, Claret of Vintage 49 and good Coffee made of his own Wheat.

Hugh Munro (of Achany) (Ensign) Robert Munro (sergeant) Hugh Munro (sergeant) Hugh Munro (of Ardullie) (sergeant) George Ross (sergeant) Charles Munro (corporal) David Munro (corporal) Robert Grant (corporal) Duncan Douglas (corporal) Robert Munro (in Wester Foulis) (surgeon) Donald Mackay (drummer) Alexander Munro (in Katwall) (soldier) Alexander Munro (in Nafaid in Ffyrish) (soldier) Alexander Munro Bain (in Katwall) (soldier) Alexander Munro (in Alness) (soldier) Alexander Munro (Miller in Drummond) (soldier) Alexander Munro (in Kildermory) (soldier) Alexander McGilichallum Munro (in Milntown) (soldier) Andrew Munro Turner (in Kildermory) (soldier) Donald Munro Baine (in Auchany) (soldier) Donald Munro Bain (in Drummond) (soldier) Donald Munro (in Brigend) (soldier) Donald Munro (in Dalbreak) (soldier) Donald Grassich Munro (in Kiltearn) (soldier) Donald Munro (in Kildermory) (soldier) Donald Munro (in Katwell) (soldier) Donald Munro (in Teanaird - the younger) (soldier) Donald Munro (in Teanaird - the elder) (soldier) Donald Munro (in Ribbigill) (soldier) Donald Munro (in Farr) (soldier) Donald McFinlay Roy Munro (in Teanich) (soldier) Donald Munro (in Druminloy) (soldier) Donald McCallie Munro (in Drummond) (soldier) George McGillichallum Munro (in Foulis (Ffowlis) (soldier) George Munro (in Obsdale (soldier) George Munro (in Newton) (soldier) George Munro (in Auchany) (soldier)

Hector Oig Munro (in Bognahavine) (soldier) Hugh Munro (in Auchnacullan) (soldier) Hugh Munro (in Kydoich) (soldier) Hugh Callanach Munro (in Foulis (Ffowlis) (soldier) John Allanson Munro (in Newtown) (soldier) John Ballach Munro (in Culcairn) (soldier) John Munro Bain (in Balblair) (soldier) John McFarquhar Munro (in Wester Foulis) (soldier) John Naffaid Munro (in Teanriven) (soldier) John McGillispick Munro (soldier) John Allanson Munro (in Newtown) (soldier) Niel Ballach Munro (in Wester Foulis (Ffowlis) (soldier) Robert Munro (in Rufaqr) (soldier) Robert Munro Bain (in Newtown) (soldier) Robert Macangus Munro (in Katwall) (soldier) Roderick Munro (in Culcraggie) (soldier) Ronald Munro (in Swardell) (soldier) William Munro (in Obsdale - the elder) (soldier) William Munro (in Obsdale - the younger) (soldier) William Munro (in Balchastle) (soldier) William Munro (miller in Mulinuoran) (soldier) William McGilichallum Munro (in Balcony) (soldier) William Buy Munro (in Contrillich) (soldier) William Munro (in Drummond, Easter Ross) (soldier) William Munro (in Plaids) (soldier) William McRikan Munro (in Teanriven) (soldier) Donald Mackay (in Auchany) (soldier) Alexander Mackay (in Pitfuir) (soldier) John Mackay (in Clunell) (soldier) Robert Mackay (in Clunell (soldier) William Mackay (in Pitfuir) (soldier) William Mackay (in Ffowlis) (soldier) Duncan MacLean (in Milntown) (soldier) William MacLean (in Dibidill) (soldier) Donald McLeod (in Plaid) (soldier) John McLeod (in Bunrod) (soldier)

Angus Mcpherson (in Novar) (soldier) Donald Mcurchie (in Ardoch) (soldier) James Cameron (soldier) Evan Cameron (in Kiltearn) (soldier) Roderick Campbell (in Alness) (soldier) William Campbell (in Cowie) (soldier) Donald Davie (soldier) John Ferguson (soldier) Simon Gray (in Pitarksie)(soldier) Donald Hossack (in Obsdale) (soldier) John Leslie (in Pitarksie) (soldier) Alexander McDonald (in Pitfuir) (soldier) Duncan McDonald (in Salchie) (soldier) Thomas MacDonald (in Pitarskie) William McDonald (soldier) William McDonald (elder in Pitfuir) (soldier) William McDonald Yor (in Pitfuir) John McEvan (in Polisky) (soldier) John McIntosh (in Pitarskie) (soldier) James Oag Ross (in Alness) (soldier) John McGillichallum Ross (in Newtown) (soldier) Robert Ross (in Ardoch) (soldier) Alexander Sutherland (in Ardoch) (soldier) Robert Sutherland (in Balcherry) (soldier) Donald Thompson (in Culcairn) (soldier) Donald Urquhart (in Culbin) (soldier) George Urquhart (in Alness) (soldier) John Urquhart (in Clunell) (soldier) William Urquhart (in Ardoch) Alexander Wallace (in Dal Break) (soldier) Alexander Williamson (soldier)