Ross, Scotland

Ross (Scottish Gaelic: Ros) is an area of Scotland. It was first recorded in the tenth century as a province. It was claimed by the Scottish crown in 1098, and from the 12th century Ross was an earldom. From 1661 there was a county of Ross, also known as Ross-shire, covering most but not all of the province, in particular excluding Cromartyshire. Cromartyshire was subsequently merged with the county of Ross in 1889 to form the county of Ross and Cromarty. The area is now part of the Highland council area.

The western and eastern parts of Ross are known as Wester Ross and Easter Ross. Wester Ross is sparsely populated, containing part of the Northwest Highlands mountains and having extensive sea lochs along its coast onto the Minch. Easter Ross has a coast onto the Moray Firth. Ross's main towns are Dingwall (which was the county town of Ross-shire), Cromarty, Fortrose, Invergordon and Tain, all of which lie on its eastern coast. Cromarty and Fortrose are on the Black Isle peninsula.

Ross gave its name to the medieval Diocese of Ross, which was based at Fortrose Cathedral. The name Ross is still used by the Church of Scotland for the Presbytery of Ross.