The 12th Baron of Kilravock named after his grandfather, Hugh Rose had a similar character to his grandfather as a known Highland peacemaker.
The request from the Secret (Privy) Council in Edinburgh to Kilravock in 1632 is to help appease the Grant Family. Not only to use his negotiating skills but as he was a distant cousin of his neighbouring Grant Clan based southeast of Nairn.
In 1632, the Clan Grant was split by a brutal internal blood feud between the Grants of Carron and the Grants of Ballindalloch. Triggered by a 70-year-old murder (one of the grandfathers murdered the other) and reignited by a 1625 skirmish in Elgin at a fair, a Ballindalloch Grant wounded Thomas Grant of Carron. In retaliation, James Grant of Carron (James an Tuam), killed the assailant and was subsequently outlawed over the whole of Scotland.
James Grant of Carron escaping Edinburgh Castle illustrated by Emilie Schieve
James became a notorious outlaw, but was captured and imprisoned in Edinburgh Castle, it was assumed he would stay there till his death. He famously escaped from Edinburgh Castle in October 1632 allegedly using ropes smuggled to him in casks of butter from his wife when she visited him in prison. He initially fled to Ireland and later returned to the Highlands to continue his campaign against the Ballindalloch branch of the Grant Clan. He shot the assassin sent after him by the Ballindalloch and captured Grant of Ballindalloch, who he held prisoner in a kiln near Elgin. Later James fought his way out of another siege after killing three attackers, many of his supporters were killed. This is where the Gordons of Huntly got involved with attempting to capture James, but were unsuccessful. Little is known of him after 1636.
However, historian William Fraser recorded that in 1639 George Gordon, 2nd Marquess of Huntly, granted James a commission to capture John Due Garre, an even worse notorious Highland bandit. Also James later supported Huntly in his struggle against the Covenanters.
Cask of butter with smuggled rope inside, illustrated by Emilie Schieve.
The request from the Secret (Privy) Council in Edinburgh to Kilravock in 1632, including replies from Tullibardine and Kilravock are shown below.
Moon over Edinburgh Castle, illustrated by Emilie Schieve
Summary of letter from the Secret Privy Council
The King has appointed the Earl of Tullibardine to travel north to settle disputes among the Grant clan and restore peace in the region. The Baron of Kilravock is asked to assist the Earl with advice and support in resolving these conflicts, in the interest of maintaining peace and stability in the country. The letter is dated August 1, 1632, from Holyroodhouse.Signed by the members of the Privy Council: Haddington, Winton, J. Mar, Adam (Bishop) of Dunblane, J. Erskine, J. Isles, Naper, Scott of Tarvit, Arch. Acheson
Reply from Tullibardine
Lord Tullibardine informs the Laird of Kilravock that he has written to the Laird of Ballindalloch and his son regarding the King’s wishes about the name of Grant. The younger Ballindalloch has agreed to meet wherever appointed. Tullibardine proposes Forres as the meeting place and asks Kilravock to be there early on Friday, noting that Lord Lovat will also attend. He plans to arrive the night before.
Kilravock later added a note instructing someone to read the letter and meet him at Inshochie, and to return the letter afterward.
Ballad
Francis Child collected ballads and this one is included about James Grant of Carron. Peter Buchan wrote this ballad about James, almost 200 years later.
The Gordons and the Grants
Away with you, away with you, James de Grant,
And, Douglas, ye'll be slain;
For Balnadallach's at your yetts,
Wi' money brave Highland man.
Balnadallach has no feud at me,
And I hae none at him;
Cast up my yetts baith braid and wide,
Let Balnadallach come in.
James de Grant has made a vant,
And leapt the castle wa';
But if he comes this way again,
He'll nae won sae well awa'.
Take him, take him, brave Gordons,
O take him, fine fellows, a';
If he wins but ae mile on the Highland hill,
He'll defy you Gordons, a'.
This post is part of the Kilravock Stories Exhibition, now on display at Nairn Museum until 25th September 2026. Explore the history of Clan Rose, Kilravock Castle, and the rich heritage of the Scottish Highlands.
References
https://archive.org/details/highlandclansofs01eyreuoft/page/n5/mode/2uphttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_James_Child
Child FJ, ed. JAMES GRANT. In: The English and Scottish Popular Ballads. Cambridge Library Collection - Literary Studies. Cambridge University Press; 2014:49-50.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Buchan