Robert Mor Munro, 15th Baron of Foulis

Robert Mor Munro, 15th Baron of Foulis (died 1588), and 18th chief of the Clan Munro was a 16th-century Scottish chief. He was known as Robert Mor on account of his large stature. He was the eldest son of Robert Munro, 14th Baron of Foulis. Although this Robert Munro is traditionally 15th Baron and 18th overall chief of the clan, he is only the 8th Munro chief that can be proved by contemporary evidence.

Lands and charters

In 1550, Robert Mor Munro, 15th Baron is recorded in a bond of manrent and friendship with George Gordon, 4th Earl of Huntly, chief of Clan Gordon. The document dated 1550 is found amongst the papers in the charter chest of Gordon Castle.

In 1552, Robert Mor Munro sold lands in Wester Fowlis to Margaret Ogilvie, Lady of Moy who was the widow of William Mackintosh, 15th chief of Clan Mackintosh who had been executed at Aberdeen in 1550. In 1553, Queen Mary also granted a Crown charter of the same lands to Margaret Ogilvie. Later, Robert Mor Munro's first marriage would be to Margaret Ogilvie which would bring back to him these lands.

Mary, Queen of Scots and Inverness Castle

In the Parliament held at Edinburgh on 1 August 1560, amongst the names of those present is "Robert Munro of Fowlis".

According to one source the Clan Munro were among the clans who supported Mary, Queen of Scots in her victory over the Earl of Huntly at the Battle of Corrichie in 1562. In 1563, a charter was granted to Robert Mor Munro at Foulis Castle and was witnessed by his brother, George Munro and his great-uncle, William Munro, Vicar of Dingwall.

Later, on 23 June 1567, Robert was one of the jury in the general service of John Gordon, 11th Earl of Sutherland to be heir to his grandmother, Elizabeth Sutherland, Countess of Sutherland. John being the first Gordon to be Earl of Sutherland.

Chanonry Castle

In 1569, a feud arose between the Clan Mackenzie and Clan Munro, who by this time were among the most powerful clans in Ross-shire. Andrew Munro, 5th of Milntown defended and held, for three years, Chanonry Castle, which he had received from the Regent Moray who died in 1569, against the Clan Mackenzie, at the expense of many lives on both sides. The feud was settled when the castle was handed over to the Mackenzies by an act of pacification.

Sir Robert Gordon (1580–1656) writes of the feud in his book A Genealogical History of the Earldom of Sutherland.:

The Munros defended and keipt the Castle for the space of thrie yeirs, with great slaughter on either syd, vntill it was delyvered to the Clanchenzie, by the Act of Pacification. And this wes the ground beginning of the feud and hartburning, which to this day, remaynes between the Clanchenzie and Munrois.

Sheriffs of Inverness

In 1571, 4 July, King James VI of Scotland granted to Robert Mor Munro all of the goods that belonged to Duncan Chalmers, Chancellor of Ross who had become a fugitive from the law for his part in the Battle of Langside and for the slaughter of James Balvany, William Purvis and Alexander Hume. As a reward for his faithful services to the Crown, Robert Mor Munro obtained from King James VI, a grant of all the customs due as royalties "furth of the town and Sheriffdom of Inverness", as registered under the Privy Seal, dated at Edinburgh on 5 January 1572. During the minority of James VI of Scotland, which officially ended in 1578, Robert Mor Munro and Munro of Milntown had charge of the Crown lands of Ross and the Black Isle.

In 1584, King James II of Scotland confirmed another charter to Robert Munro of Foulis. In 1588, May 6, Robert Mor Munro of Foulis is listed along with other highland chiefs in a grant to give special protection to Alexander Gordon, 12th Earl of Sutherland, to protect his church lands in Caithness or elsewhere. Others included are Gordon of Huntly, Mackenzie of Kintail, Rose of Kilravock, Fraser of Lovat, Grant of Freuchie and Ross of Balnagowan. On 20 July 1588 Robert Mor Munro of Foulis was appointed by the King, collector, for Inverness-shire, which included Ross. He was to collect a tax for the repair of Edinburgh Castle. On the 27th of that month, Robert Mor Munro of Foulis along with Colin Cam Mackenzie of Kintail are appointed Commissioners for the shires of Inverness and Cromarty for the better administration of justice in these counties.

From Robert's marriage to Margaret Ogilvie:

Robert Munro, 16th Baron of Foulis. Hugh Munro. (little is known, only found recorded once in the Coul MS) Hector Munro, 17th Baron of Foulis, whose son was Robert Munro, 18th Baron of Foulis (The Black Baron). Florence Munro, married Roderick Mackenzie of Redcastle. Christian Munro. Cathrine Munro, married William Ballie, Provost of Inverness.

From Robert's marriage to Kathrine Ross:

George Munro, 1st of Obsdale, whose grandson would succeed to the head of the house of Foulis: See: Sir Robert Munro, 3rd Baronet of Foulis. John Munro, 1st of Meikle Daan. Andrew Munro, 1st of Lemlair. Margaret Munro, married Colin Campbell of Ardbreath. Janet Munro, married James Innes of Inverbreakie. Marjory Munro, married James Hepburn, merchant of Inverness. Elizabeth Munro, married a minister of Kiltearn in Ross-shire.

Three historically important 17th century descendants of Robert Mor Munro are General Robert Monro and George Munro, 1st of Newmore who were both cadets of the Obsdale branch of the clan, and also John Munro of Lemlair.