Tain Museum Image Library

Dr Elizabeth Ness Macbean Ross

There is a brass plaque in the St Duthus CollegiateChurch in Tain which bears the following inscription, “To the glory of God and in undying memory of Dr. Elizabeth Ness Macbean Ross who voluntarily gave her life during the European War, to help the typhus stricken Serbian soldiers and died in the Military Hospital, Krasgujevtz, Serbia, 14th February, 1915. This tablet has been erected, and hospital beds endowed in Serbia, by public subscription, in remembrance of the noble life and sacrifice of one whose home was for many years in Tain.”

Elizabeth Macbean Ross qualified as MB and Ch.B at Glasgow University in 1901. For most of her home life was spent in Tain. Not content with being one of the few qualified women doctors of her day, this remarkable woman had a varied, albeit fairly short, career much of it pursued under her own steam.

She is seen here in naval uniform during her spell as a ship's surgeon. For more information on this remarable lady, see the Clan Ross Section of our website.