Cherokee Chief & Scottish Clan Ross Connection

As the First Lady of Cherokee Nation visiting Scotland, I felt it would be remiss not to visit Rossshire, home of Clan Ross, and the ancestral homeland of the father of one of Cherokee Nation’s most important leaders.

There’s a historic kinship between the Cherokee Nation and Scotland. They have a shared history of oppression and similar cultural values, including a clan system, that allowed them to get along and intermarry. The compatibility of these peoples remains to this day, as my Cherokee husband and I have been together for over three decades so far. I am American, of predominately Scottish heritage.

Many Scots left Scotland not because they wanted to, but because they were forced. Some of my own ancestors arrived by prison ship after the defeat at Dunbar in 1645 and forced into indentured servitude for 7 years. A female ancestor arrived in the West Indies by prison ship to be sold into slavery. Dunbar was a precursor to the later Jacobite uprisings, these Scots were fighting for Charles I, the father of James II and VII, who was denied his right to be king and executed. His son James was also deposed when he ascended.

After the last Jacobite Rebellion, which was the last battle fought on British soil, the highland culture was mostly eviscerated by the Duke of Cumberland who wanted to end the uprisings permanently. The tartan and bagpipes were outlawed, as was speaking the Gaelic language. Of course they could not have weapons, either. Ultimately, their lands were taken away, too, and the highland people were replaced by sheep. Those who refused to go were subject to their homes being set on fire with them still inside. They ended up leaving to the cities, and abroad to the colonies and Canada.

In the colonies they were able to get one last crack at the English by participating in the Revolutionary War. As experienced warriors, the Scots were invaluable in winning Independence. Many Scots had settled in the Carolinas, which reminded them of their beloved highlands. Much of that land was the historic home of the Cherokee Indians. They also settled elsewhere on Cherokee land which included parts of Tennesee, Georgia and Alabama.

One of these Scots in Alabama was Daniel Ross, a trader. He married a Cherokee woman named Mollie and their son John would become the most important and influential Cherokee leaders of the 19th century, and one of the most popular and beloved Chiefs of all time. He led the tribe for nearly 40 years, guiding them through the most troubling times they would ever encounter-the illegal forced removal of the Cherokee from their homelands, the Trail of Tears.

This removal darkly echoed the Scottish Highland clearances. He also led them though the bloody aftermath of the Trail of Tears, the establishment of a new home in the unfamiliar Indian Territory, Cherokee political and societal reunification, and the Civil War.

On my visit, I made my way to Tain, to visit the Tain & District Museum and Clan Ross Centre. I was delighted by the warm and enthusiastic welcome from the staff there and more moved by their obvious pride in Cherokee Chief John Ross. He is featured on the wall of their most successful and influential Rosses, along with a pair of antique beaded moccasins. They were very interested in a relationship with the tribe, which I am honored to be able to help. They shall receive a care package soon for their museum!

Some of the wonderful staff at the Tain & District Museum and Clan Ross Centre

The staff at this little museum are incredibly informed and committed to preserving the history and legacy of the area. This is a legacy shared by the late Chief John Ross and his descendants. There is a display for the pre-Christian pilgrimages, Pictish history, and an ancient Church on site. A Pictish stone is featured outside, as well as some what they believe are Viking graves in the cemetery.

The building is accessible for those of us with physical disabilities and mobility issues, including wheelchair users. There is a wheelchair lift to assist up the stairs. I was using my cane the day of my visit, rather than my chair, and was very pleased to find a push chair at the top of the short stairs. I used it to view the exhibit, and it enabled me to extend my visit instead of leaving early. The car park was free and very close, always a bonus!

I encourage all of you to visit this museum, it is on the Pictish Trail. If you can’t go in person check out their website and even consider a donation! www.tainmuseum.org.uk