Hugh Rose, 15th Baron of Kilravock and Chief of Clan Rose, (1663–1732) was one of the Scottish representatives to the first Parliament of Great Britain as MP for Nairnshire.
Contents
Early life
Rose was born at Kilravock Castle the son of Hugh Rose, 14th of Kilravock, a member of the Parliament of Scotland for Nairnshire and his wife, Margaret Innes, daughter of Sir Robert Innes of Innes, 2nd Baronet. He inherited Kilravock on his father's death in 1687 along with the Barony of Kilravock and the Chiefdom of the Name and Arms of Clan Rose. On his father's death, the Rose estates were heavily encumbered, it was only by successive marriages to heiresses that the estates were saved and brought out of debt.
Political career
Early in his career Rose began as a commissioner for Justice in the Highlands in 1693 and 1701. He was then returned as an MP for Nairnshire from 1700 until 1707. During his time in office, he remained in opposition, particularly to the Darien scheme. Rose served until 1707 at which point he became one of the Scottish representatives to the first Parliament of Great Britain. While one of the representatives, Rose refused to travel to London to represent his constituency and did not stand for re-election. He was also appointed Sheriff of Ross from 1706 to 1722 and also 1729–1732. While Sheriff, although he himself had resigned from Parliament, he used his position to appoint his son, Hugh MP for Ross-shire. Due to his abuse of power, the other major powers in Ross-shire, the Clans Ross and Munro petitioned to have him removed from office as Sheriff, for being a Jacobite Whig and ally of George Mackenzie, 1st Earl of Cromartie. However, Roses allies all supported him as the most loyal of Presbyterians. However, the following General election his son, Hugh was removed from office and both removed from public life for a while. Following the 1715 Uprising, Rose and his son moved more into the support of Argyll through their connection through the Campbells of Cawdor, at which point he lost the position of Sheriff of Ross. However, he later regained both the Sheriffdom and also the position of Lord Lieutenant of Ross-shire for his support.