Hector Munro, 17th Baron of Foulis

Hector Munro, 17th Baron of Foulis (died 1603), also known as the master of Foulis, was chief of the Highland, Scottish clan, Clan Munro. He is the 10th chief of Clan Munro who can be proved by contemporary evidence. He was seated at Foulis Castle.

Hector Munro, 17th Baron was the second son of Robert Mor Munro, 15th Baron of Foulis. Hector Munro became his father’s heir after his elder brother Robert Munro, 16th Baron died in 1589 just eight months after their father, the 15th Baron.

In 1590 Hector Munro was served heir male of entail to his father in certain lands. This included the ten “Davochs” of Easter Fowlis (Foulis) as well as Wester Fowlis. He was also served heir to his father and brother for the “barony” of Fowlis at Inverness on 7 October 1590. He was also granted several other lands and salmon fishings in the Earldoms of Ross and Sutherland as well as in the Sherrifdom of Inverness.

Hector being originally a younger son of his father naturally studied for the church. His first preferment was the Chaplainry of Newmore which he was presented to by Mary, Queen of Scots in 1560. Hector’s father Robert Mor Munro was a great supporter of Queen Mary.

In 1583 Hector Munro was appointed to the Chaplainry of Obsdale as is confirmed by a grant from James VI of Scotland. In the same year king James VI also granted to Hector Munro the Deanery of Ross, even though it was opposed by Alexander Urquhart, the former dean who had been deposed.

However upon the death of his older brother, Robert Munro, 16th Baron, Hector Munro resigned all of his ecclesiastical offices. Hector Munro then succeeded as chief of the Clan Munro.

In 1589 Hector Munro was served heir to his father of the lands of Inveran, with mill and salmon fishings, Linsetroy, Linsetmore, Altesbeg, Altesmor and Achness, with the salmon fishings. He was also given superiority of Creichmor and the fishings of the Oykel at the extent of £10. He was also served heir to his father to the lands of Contullich. Also in 1589 Hector Munro disponed the lands of Dann to his half brother John Munro.

It should be noted that Hector Munro, 17th Baron was born from his father’s first marriage to Margaret Ogilvie Upon the death of his first wife, Hector’s father married secondly Katherine Ross, with whom he also had many children. Katherine Ross, who was Hector Munro’s step mother was by many of her contemporaries believed to be a murderess, a poisoner and an employer of witches and sorcerers. She is said to have introduced her step son Hector Munro, 17th Baron to sinister practices. Shortly after her husband Robert Munro, 15th Baron's death in 1588, both she and Hector Munro stood separate trials for witchcraft and attempting to murder. Two local juries acquitted both of them on all of the charges, in apparent disregard for the evidence. The crimes with which Lady Munro of Foulis was charged were said to have been committed in the years 1576-7. The witches and warlocks were caught, tried and burned at the stake. One of the witches who was repeatedly mentioned at the trial, but who seems to have evaded capture had the unusual name of Marjorie (or Marionne) “Neyne McAllester alias Laskie Loucart”.

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