Hew Munro

Hew Munro was born about 1637, his father, Alexander, being the well-known minister of Durness. He was granted the ‘Irish bursary’ by the Presbytery of Dingwall in 1653 and proceeded to Aberdeen University where he obtained an MA degree in 1657. He was licensed by the Presbytery of Caithness and ordained and inducted to the Durness charge at Watten, by the episcopal clergy of Caithness, in 1863. Although he conformed to episcopacy, he appears to have aided rather than hindered the persecuted covenanter evangelist, Rev George Squair. 

Rev J.S. Mackay wrote of him:

Mr Hugh Munro was a man of culture, of mild temperament, of decided Christian character, and evangelical. He was a graduate of King’s College, Aberdeen, and was ordained as incumbent of Durness by the bishop and clergy of Caithness, at Watten, on the 20th January, 1663.

It is not known under what influences, or motives, he was led to conform to Episcopacy; but it was manifest throughout his career that he had done so reluctantly, and was ever an indifferent Episcopalian. He was censured again and again for his non-attendance on the diocesan meetings of the clergy, and did not take the test until 1682. He retained his benefice at the Revolution Settlement, and continued thereafter sole Presbyterian minister of the Reay country until his death in 1698.

Sutherland and The Reay Country, p344.