Subsequently, he held commissions as captain (26 December 1682) and major (4 August 1686) in Claverhouse's regiment of horse, although he resigned the latter position shortly afterward.
[1] Lord Ross maintained a close relationship with Claverhouse, having served as a witness at his wedding in 1684.
Despite this bond, he excused himself from participating in the army raised against Claverhouse by citing his Parliamentary duties.
Disaffected perhaps by the lack of reward for his services, Ross became closely involved with the Earl of Annandale in the dissident "Club" of Sir James Montgomerie of Skelmorlie.
The disparaging comment of Ross's contemporary, George Lockhart of Carnwath, was that:Lord Ross was a great persecutor of the Whigs; then he joined them at the Revolution; then plotted to restore King James; then did turn tail, and did accuse all he knew of that party[3]On 29 February 1704 Ross was appointed Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.