Sir George Munro of Culcairn (1685 - 1746) was a Scottish soldier of the 18th century from Ross-shire, Scotland. He commanded the 3rd Independent Highland Company from 1714 to 1716, fought at the Battle of Glen Shiel in 1719, led the 6th Company in formation of the "Black Watch" in 1725, the 8th Company of Black Watch when it was regimented in 1739 and again commanded an Independent Highland Company in 1745–46. He was shot in error in 1746.
Lineage
George Munro of Culcairn was born on 18 September 1685, the second son of Sir Robert Munro, 5th Baronet of Foulis, chief of the Clan Munro, who was also known as the Blind Baron. George's elder brother was Sir Robert Munro, 6th Baronet of Foulis, the next successive chief of the clan.
Jacobite rising of 1715
During the Jacobite rising of 1715 the Mackenzie Jacobite garrison at Inverness surrendered to Simon Fraser, 11th Lord Lovat upon the very day when the Battle of Sheriffmuir was fought and another Jacobite force was defeated at the Battle of Preston (1715). Soon after this 31-year-old Colonel Sir Robert Munro of Foulis marched into the town of Inverness with 400 Munros and took over control as governor from Fraser. Government troops arrived in Inverness towards the end of February, and for some months the process of disarming the rebels went on led by a Munro detachment under George Munro of Culcairn.
Jacobite rising of 1719
During the Jacobite rising of 1719, Captain George Munro of Culcairn led a detachment of Munros at the Battle of Glen Shiel where they helped to defeat the Jacobites. During the battle George who was wounded was shielded by his servant, however he told his men to carry on and not to shield him. The Jacobites continued to fire at George after he was down, until Sergeant Robert Munro, son of Hugh Munro of Tullochue, with a small party, dislodged Captain George Munro's assailants, after having previously swore upon his dirk that he would effect his rescue. The Jacobites were soon put into retreat and after the battle the Jacobite rising was over. Historian Peter Simpson states that the Munro company ably led by George Munro of Culcairn took a very positive part in the fighting and that their bold action helped in the defeat of the Jacobites under the Earl Marischall. Simpson also states that the battle raged for three hours but the superior power of the Government grenadiers along with the aggressive forays of the Munros won the day for the Government.
Formation of the Black Watch and War in France
In 1725 six Independent Highland Companies were formed. One of Munros, one of Frasers, one of Grants and three of Campbells. George Munro of Culcairn was made a Captain in Munro's company under his elder brother Colonel Sir Robert. In 1739 ten Independent Highland Companies were embodied into a regiment of the line. The regiment then was officially known as the 43rd Highlanders (later renumbered the 42nd and also known as the "Black Watch" ). The regiment's first action together came at the Battle of Fontenoy in 1745 against the French, however George Munro of Culcairn had retired from the regiment in 1744.
Jacobite rising of 1745
During the Jacobite rising of 1745 the Munros continued their support for the British Government. George Munro was appointed the command of the Munro Independent Highland Company. While his elder brother, Robert Munro, now the chief of the clan was appointed command of the English 37th Regiment of Foot and Robert's son, Sir Harry Munro, 7th Baronet held command in Loudon's Highlanders regiment.
General Sir John Cope arrived at Inverness on 29 August 1745. George Munro of Culcairn met him and agreed that the Munros "should instantly take arms and join the King's troops".
Harry Munro joined Sir John Cope at the Water of Nairn and when the army marched for Aberdeen on 4 September Loudon's Highlanders regiment included his three companies, while George Munro of Culcairn's detachment acted as scouts. Sir John Cope remained in Aberdeen where a fourth company of Loudoun's regiment joined the others until 14 September from whence they sailed to Dunbar and their infamous defeat at the Battle of Prestonpans. Harry was among 70 officers taken prisoner and for a time was imprisoned in Glamis Castle but by mid January 1746 he was among 31 men released who arrived at Edinburgh, where he learnt the tragic news of his father Robert's and his uncle Duncan's deaths after the Battle of Falkirk Muir.