At the cRoss Roads Trivia Quiz

Answer: Earl (Mormaerdom)

The first of the Clan Ross chiefs was Fearchar, from the O'Beolain family, which hailed from Applecross. He was also known as "son of the priest", or Farquhar MacTaggart. The first chieftain was also Lord of Skye and Lewis. After the O'Beolain line died out in 1372, the Earldom went to the Rosses from Balnagowan.

Answer: Promontory

The name Ross is a Scottish habitational surname, and is​ derived from the Scottish Gaelic word 'ros' meaning headland or promontory. Dingwall is the administrative (county) town of Ross-shire. The Gaelic names of the clan are Clann Andrias, Ròs, or Ròis.

Answer: Norway

The battle took place on the Firth of Clyde, near Lards in Scotland in 1263, between the Scots and the Norwegians. In a raid of the Scottish lands, Haakon Haakonsson, King of Norway, attempted to proclaim Norwegian sovereignty over the western part of Scotland. Haakon fell ill soon after the battle and died, and was buried in Orkney.

After prolonged 'negotiations' the Norwegians were forced to submit to the Scots. A stone tower, known as 'the Pencil' was unveiled in 1912 to commemorate the battle.

Answer: University education

By all accounts, George was an unpleasant character, like his father before him. He was charged with high treason for the act of sheltering the Earl of Bothwell, and enemy of the realm. When he acceded to the title, it was numerically the largest clan in the Highlands. He was born in about 1570 and died at the age of 45, leaving large debts for his heir.

St Andrews, where George was educated, was Scotland's first university and the third oldest in the English-speaking world.

Answer: Hope

Clan mottoes were usually written in Latin, rather than Gaelic, as that was the language of the Church, whose influence was almost universal. By using Latin, the mottoes were understood by nobility of all nations. They were reflective of a clan's attitude; the Ross clan was powerful and successful.

Answer: Juniper

Juniper has been used for centuries to make gin, of course, but in Scotland, it was also used for blessing rites, known as 'saining', including the Hogmanay ritual, and invoked blessing, protection and cleansing for a household. The Clan Ross crest shows a left hand grasping a juniper garland.

Answer: Bannockburn

The English army was the largest to invade Scotland, but this where the famous Robert the Bruce faced down the English. He called for an oath of fealty and soldiers from all clans; Walter of Ross fought for the Scots, though his father changed sides. In the decisive battle of this war, Bruce brought forward his schiltrom consisting of forces from the Highlands, Islands and other Gaelic warriors, driving the English back into the burn (river).

Answer: March

Pipe music was used to inspire warriors as they went into battle, allowing troops to recognise their clan music as well as indicating to others which clans were present. Pipe tunes were also used as laments for the dead. Highland bagpipe music is written in the key of D major. The tune associated with the earls of Ross has a long history and has changed over time.

Answer: Mohamed Al Fayed

It is said that Mohamed Al Fayed fell in love with the Balnagowan site immediately he saw it, even though it had fallen into disuse as there had been no Earl or Chieftain living there for many years. It has been sensitively renewed under his direction at least twice since his acquisition of it in the early 1970s.

Answer: Easter Ross

The Easter Ross area is located just north of the Highlands town of Inverness. Moray Firth is the home to good numbers of bottle-nose dolphins. The lands were significant in the history of Clan Ross and it was in protection of these lands and in aiding the King that the first Earl of Ross was given the earldom.