the only one

Sir Hugh Innes was the only ever existing Scottish baronet of that name, the first and the last, the only one.

grave of Sir Hugh Innes 
©nme Nelie Merthe Erkenbach Graveyards of Scotland Kirkton

However, there were three other Baronetcies created for that name, but in Nova Scotia and not in the United Kingdom. The only Scottish one was created on 28 April 1819 and the new Baronet had been waiting for that honour for two years before he became 1st Baronet Innes, of Lochalsh, Balmacara, Ross-shire and of Coxton, Morayshire on 29 October 1818.

inscription grave Sir Hugh Innes

His grave is in Kirkton of Lochalsh, where the Baronet was buried on 16 August 1831 and with the 67year-old his title for he had no heir. His burial must have been a special occasion for the parish and the whole area for a Baronet is entitled to special treatment at a funeral, a pall supported by two men, a principal mourner and four others.

His father had been a Reverend in Glasgow, Sir Hugh came into money and became a politician and Member of Parliament for Ross-shire and later Sutherland.

A Baronet’s title is hereditary, the only title that is hereditary but not peerage, a baronet is addressed as “Sir” and ranks above all knighthood unless it is one of the Order of the Thistle, which Sir Hugh tried to join but was refused. The term baronet goes back to the Middle Ages, today there are around a thousand baronets.

Sir Hugh had no offspring, had never married and had left no will. Therefore he was the fist, the last and the only Baronet Innes, of Lochalsh, Balmacara, Ross-shire and of Coxton, Morayshire.

He was at home in Balmacara House, which he had built in the 19th century with the proud number of 13 bedrooms. It is used by the MOD divers during training. In an emergency, 100 soldiers can be stationed there, the submarines are in the port of Kyle. Sir Hugh Innes also had the churches in Kirkton and in Plockton built, as well as some streets and houses there.

When visiting do not miss the graveyard Cnoc nan Aingeal situated a short walk away up on the “Hill of the Angels” above the road.

sources and further reading:

Rootsweb.com

History of Parliament

Baronets

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