Editing Clan Ross (section)

====Jacobite rising of 1745–1746====

During the [[Jacobite rising of 1745]], in the County of Ross, although from the Pitcalnie line, the nominal 18th Chief of Clan Ross was Alexander Ross of Pitcalnie. He was a staunch Protestant, somewhat more tolerant of Jacobites than his father but definitely pro-[[House of Hanover|Hanoverian]]. In addition, Alexander's uncle, Duncan [[Clan Forbes|Forbes]] of Culloden, was Lord President of the Court of Session for King [[George II of Great Britain]]'s government in London. Duncan Forbes and Alexander Ross the Pitcalnie chief raised an [[Independent Highland Companies|Independent Highland Company]] to garrison [[Inverness Castle]] against the Jacobites.<ref>Simpson. (1996). pp. 132.</ref>

The McFarquhars of [[Redcastle]] brought a strong Jacobite contingent from the [[Black Isle]] to join the forces of the [[Earl of Cromarty]] and a rebel, John Ross joined them. Forays were made before the Battle of Culloden and on the day before the battle, 15 April 1746, about 200 of the McFarquhar's Jacobite force were ambushed by pro-government Scots at the [[Battle of Littleferry]] near [[Golspie]]. At most, one-tenth survived; John Ross escaped to Sutherland but was first to be put on a list of rebels. However, apart from him the Clan Ross supported the government.

The chiefship of Clan Ross devolved upon Ross of Pitcalnie, heir of David who was the last of the direct line of Balnagowan. Sir John, the 5th baronet, assumed the name "Ross" and then, after Carstairs was sold in 1762, the designation "of Balnagowan."

The Balnagowan estate itself is no longer in Ross hands.  Its recent owner, Egyptian millionaire [[Mohammed Fayed]] (d. 2023), former owner of the [[Harrods]] department store, put a lot of money into improving the estate and restoring the castle.  The current Chief lives in [[Perthshire]]. His son, Hugh, and grandson, Calum, are both interested and involved in the Gaelic scene across Scotland.