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Clan Munro Association Australia and New Zealand
The Clan Munro Australia & New Zealand Association is a branch of the Scottish Clan Munro Association, which was established in 1937 by Captain Donald John Munro, R.N. of Foulis. This association represents the interests of the Munro Clan, a very old and proud lineage from the Highlands of Scotland known for having produced notable members across the globe in fields like medicine, science, and the arts. The Australia & New Zealand group joins other international branches located in the USA, Canada, and France.
Membership is open to a wide range of individuals: those who carry the Munro name (including its various forms and associated setts), people with Munro ancestry despite having a different surname, and spouses of members (who can join at a reduced fee). The association serves two primary functions: keeping members updated on clan activities both domestically and abroad, and encouraging connection, particularly among younger people through the use of social media. The group is also looking toward the future with a DNA program aimed at helping members trace their roots and learn more about the clan's history.
An Interview with Allan Munro | Webmaster
What does being a Munro mean to you?
Being a Munro to me means being part of a wider community of people with common interests and pride in their heritage. A large extended family with shared traditions and similar values.
Did your family celebrate their Munro heritage when you were growing up? Was there a particular person who passed down stories or traditions to you?
We were always aware of our Scottish heritage growing up. For myself and my siblings that came from our dad, current Australian and New Zealand Association President Ray Munro. When he was young, my uncle told him their family was of Scottish ancestry, after which, and having seen the old Rob Roy MacGregor movie, getting a book on tartans, and being sent some heather from Scotland by his Aunt, he was hooked.
Do you have a favourite Munro story, tradition, or fun fact from clan history that has always stuck with you?
There's two that firmly go in the story or handed-down traditions category. The first one being that Clan Munro lands were held on tenure with the condition of being called upon to provide the crown with a snowball to cool the reigning monarch's wine on any day of the year, with Ben Wyvis previously having been within the Clan's holdings and snow on the peaks all year around. The second, and this is a vague memory of something I was told recently, is the tale of one of our early Clan Chiefs, pursuing a golden eagle up to its eyrie and having to fight it hand to talon, eventually choking it to death to recover a small boy that was taken by the eagle.
Have you ever visited Scotland, and if so, what was that experience like? If not, is there a (Munro) place you’d most like to visit?
I personally have been to Scotland 3 times. The first time was when I was 21 with my dad and my older brother for the Clan Munro International Gathering at Foulis castle in 1997. That particular Gathering was also the 21st of our future Chief Finnian. We also went to Kiltearn burial ground, where many Munros were buried in the 15th and 16th centuries, including a number of our Chiefs. It was a great bonding road trip for 3 weeks through Scotland and England, and as a history lover, just a great experience. Next time I'd love to get to the Storehouse of Foulis, which I've never been to, The Highlander's Museum because of our connection to The Black Watch and probably up to the Fyrish Monument built by by General Sir Hector Munro of Novar.
Clan Munro has several tartan variations, do you have a favourite, and how do you like to wear or display it?
Controversial, but I do like darker colours, so I go with our Hunting Tartan, The Black Watch Modern, which we claim we gave our Hunting Tartan to The Highland Independent Companies that became the Black Watch, but the Grants and Campbells also have similar tartans. I quite like the Munro Ancient as well. I'll wear a kilt for some more formal occasions, but I'll wear a tartan necktie in either the Munro Modern or the Hunting Modern tartan on less formal occasions or work meetings.
Many Scots settled in Australia, and millions of Australians claim Scottish ancestry. Have you felt part of a wider Scottish community where you live? How important is having a community of Munros or those of Scottish descent around you personally?
I'm always on the lookout for someone of Scottish ancestry, my daughter will have a teacher or a principal with a Scottish surname, and I'll say to them, do you know you've got Scottish ancestry, you're from this clan, or you're a sept of that clan. We are everywhere, so many people emigrated from Scotland during the clearances. Our Highland Games and Gatherings in Australia and New Zealand bring together that community really well in common celebration of Scottish traditions. I'm the youngest son of the youngest son, of the youngest son with many siblings, so we have a small immediate family but probably lots of distant cousins, so to me, every Munro I meet is like a cousin or an Aunty or Uncle.
What has been your experience being part of Clan Munro Association Australia and New Zealand? How long have you been the Webmaster, and what’s your favourite part of your role?
My father Ray Munro is the current president of the Clan Munro Association Australia & New Zealand. I was brought onboard to be the webmaster in 2023 as we were entering a generational change for the Association after 20 or so years of leadership under Don Munro as President and Newsletter Editor, and Ken as our Webmaster. My role has been to modernise how we do things by moving to online memberships, digital newsletters and using social media, to gain new members and keep the Association evergreen with younger members coming through to fill the ranks and to preserve our stories, customs and traditions.
My favourite part of my role, as a history buff, is doing research for social media posts and our newsletter and sharing those stories of the personalities and events that have shaped our Clan over the centuries and bringing these tales to life for our members that might just be discovering that heritage.
Are there any particular Scottish events, festivals, or gatherings in Australia that you enjoy attending or feel especially connected to? Are there any events coming up you’d like people to know about?
We have so many great Gatherings and Games here in Australia and New Zealand. Last year Ray and I, my partner Bel and our 8 year old daughter, attended the Hunter Valley Highland Games here in New South Wales, which is at the winery Saltire Estate. It was a great day out. Ray, my daughter and I also went to the big event of the calendar in New South Wales this year, The Bundanoon Highland Gathering, which was brilliant for kids, with mini highland games they could try out and a tartan run at the end of the day. We're looking at getting together some meet ups for our Association members in 2026 in Sydney, hopefully including a whisky tasting event. We list all of the big upcoming Gatherings and Games on our website here.
Are you involved in any other aspects of the Association?
Yes, by profession I'm a website designer/developer and a trained graphic designer. So currently I put together our newsletter, plus write and edit some of the articles for that and I run our Facebook and Instagram pages. However, I'm always on the lookout for volunteers to help with social media or members of the Clan who want to contribute articles or their experiences to the newsletter, or plan events. I've also recently been a guest on an episode of The Tartan Trail podcast here in Australia (you can find it on Spotify, Apple, Amazon etc.) so you'll catch me out there promoting our Clan.
How can people get involved with Clan Munro Association Australia and New Zealand?
People can join the Association online here for a small annual fee to help with operating costs. Anyone with the following surnames are from septs of Clan Munro and also encouraged to join as are people with maternal Munro heritage and various spellings of Munro; Dingwall, Foulis, Fowlis, Keddie, Kiddie, MacAdie, MacCulloch, MacEddie, MacKeddie, MacLulich, MacLullich, Vass, Wass. If Australia & New Zealand are not relevant to you, there are also Clan Munro Associations in the UK, USA, Canada and France.
We put out a newsletter to members three times a year, generally April, August and December. We also accept donations on our website which are used to promote the Clan Munro in Australia and New Zealand as well as fund upkeep and restorations to Foulis castle in Scotland, and support cultural and environmental preservation efforts in Scotland such as our member contributions that helped set up the Highlander's Museum at Fort George.
We have a worldwide DNA project with FamilyTreeDNA that could connect you to lost branches of your family.
If anyone wants to become a member in Australia and New Zealand and volunteer to help out with carrying a flag at a Gathering or Games near them, wants to help out with the Association by manning a Clan Tent at an event, get in touch with us via our website.
Finally, what message would you share with younger generations of Munros around the world to encourage them to join or embrace their heritage?
I think having a sense of where you come from, who has come before you and an understanding of family traditions as well as making new memories with your own family while embracing those traditions, is very important. Get out there, enjoy those events and have fun, learn something new. As a parent, speak to your kids about your heritage, take them along to a day of Highland Games or Gatherings, get them involved. We've actually made a kid's activity booklet which anyone can download for free here which teaches kids a bit about our Clan.
Clan Munro Association of Canada
The Clan Munro Association of Canada (CMAC) is a warm and welcoming group dedicated to connecting Munros across the country and celebrating their shared Scottish heritage. CMAC was founded in 1974 by the late C.C. 'Bud' Munroe, with the blessing of the Clan Chief, Captain Patrick Munro of Foulis. It kicked off with a strong start, boasting 58 founding members on its charter roll.
The heart of CMAC is its Gatherings, which are a fantastic mix of clan business and fun social activities, often featuring Dinners and Ceilidhs. The First Gathering was held in Kemptville, ON, in 1975, and included a trip to the Ottawa Highland Games. Later gatherings took the clan to various spots, including Halifax (often coinciding with the International Gathering of the Clans), Ottawa, and even the Munro Tent and Trailer Park in Powassan, ON. Many meetings have also been held more casually at members' homes after attending local Highland Games. Over the decades, CMAC has successfully kept the Scottish connection alive and well in Canada, providing a structure for Munros to meet, socialise, and celebrate their lineage.
An Interview with John Munro | President
Have you celebrated your Clan Munro heritage from a young age, or was it something you discovered later in life? What does being a Munro mean to you?
My Dad was always very proud of his Scottish heritage, and that was encouraged in both my elder brother Ian and me. Burns was quoted regularly, traditional Scots music and the pipes were played on the ‘hifi’ and we celebrated Hogmanay every year with friends and neighbours. Being a Munro is very much tied up with being of Scottish and Irish ancestry. I love entertaining and enjoying hospitality when its provided. I also believe it’s important to maintain a set of standards that are grounded in tolerance, charity and a respect for science and education.
Do you have a favourite Munro story, tradition, or fun fact from clan history that has always stuck with you?
I’m a big fan of the writer H.H. Munro, more popularly known by his pen name Saki. He was renowned for his sharp wit and black humour, writing in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries. He was killed late at night on 14th November 1916, in a trench on the Western Front. It is reported that his last words were, “Put that bloody cigarette out!”.
An amusing story happened during my first visit with our Clan Chief, Hector Munro of Foulis. We were sitting in the front parlour at Foulis Castle and Hector offered me a drink. When asked if I had a preference, I opted for my favourite whisky, ‘Highland Park’ as I recognised the distinctive bottle on the trolley. At which Hector smiled and replied, ‘Our Munro Farm supplies the malt for the Highland Park Distillery’. Obviously, it’s all in the genes!
Clan Munro has several tartan variations, do you have a favourite, and how do you like to wear or display it?
I like the Ancient Munro, and I’ve inherited a dinner jacket from my Dad, made of that tartan. I’m also a fan of the Black Watch tartan. The Munros are entitled to wear the Black Watch Tartan (also known as Munro Hunting Modern) as we were some of the first colonels of that notorious regiment. I wear scarves and ties in both Munro and Black Watch tartans. I also occasionally wear my kilt which is woven in the official Scottish Office tartan.
How did you first get involved with the association in Canada (Even though you’re originally from Winnipeg, Canada, but now live in North Yorkshire, UK)?
My older brother, Ian Michael Angus Munro, was President of the Clan Munro Association of Canada for over 30 years. I would frequently attend Burns Suppers and other clan events to support my brother but also to celebrate our shared love of all things Caledonian. When my brother sadly died in September 2013, I was asked if I would become President.
What are your plans or hopes for the future of the association (in Canada and/or in general)?
I would like to see the Clan Munro Association grow and I would like particularly to encourage more interest from younger members of the wider Munro family. I know the Australian Clan Munro have been very successful in recent years, at recruiting new membership, and broadening their base - perhaps we should take some guidance from their efforts to grow our own association in Canada.
What do you find most rewarding about being part of the association and its activities? Do you travel over to Canada to take part in person?
I particularly enjoy those occasions when we can get together online or preferably, in person, to celebrate what it is to be a Munro or more broadly, to be of Scottish heritage. When I am able, I travel home to Canada for Clan Gatherings in conjunction with our American cousins or to participate in scheduled Highland Games, but to be honest, it’s been quite a few years since I last Highland ‘Flinged’ or tossed a caber!
How can people get involved with or join the Canadian association if they’re interested?
You can obtain more information from our website here. Or you can apply directly for membership using this online form. Or you can visit our Facebook page here.
Are there any upcoming events you’d like people to know about?
Not at the moment, but I know our very hard-working Secretary, Jo Ann Tuskin, who is the backbone of our association, is looking at the possibilities of attending highland games and other events in Canada and the US.
