Clan Forbes Society Blogs

The Scottish Government describes Scotland’s global diaspora as an “extension of Scotland itself.” This living bridge connects the nation to people, organizations, and communities around the world. New survey findings from 2025 suggest that this metaphor is not merely aspirational. For many in the diaspora, Scotland is not a distant ancestral reference point but a deeply felt emotional home—one that continues to shape identity, values, and aspirations for connection. Drawing

Frances Mary Forbes (née Petre) does not feature prominently in historical accounts of the Forbes family. However, the traces she left in ledgers, mortgages, and probate books reveal a woman whose authority ran deeper than the public roles available to her.

Brothers John and Duncan Forbes of Culloden rallied the townspeople of Inverness to resist the 1715 Jacobite siege.

The Clan Forbes Society saw record engagement in its 2025 membership survey, with 117 participants—a 23% increase over last year. Members shared clear priorities for 2026 and offered thoughtful guidance on how to better connect with people under forty. Top Priorities for 2026 Members highlighted five main areas for future projects: 1. Scotland-Focused Initiatives . Interest remains strong in deepening ties to Scotland through partnerships with Forbes sites, heritage collabora

Lady Adelaide Jane Frances Forbes was born in 1860 as the eldest daughter of George Forbes, 7th Earl of Granard, and Jane Frances Grogan-Morgan. Lady Jane was the Wexford heiress whose family seat would eventually pass to Lady Adelaine.

The 15th and 16th-century feud between the Forbeses and the Gordons was one of the most notorious in all of Scotland. Once allies, these families came to blows over religion and politics, resulting in murders, battles, and conflagrations. However, the Forbes-Gordon family emerged in the 18th century through inheritance rather than marriage, uniting these two prominent Scottish lineages. Their principal estates included Skellater and Balbithan in Aberdeenshire. The Forbes and

From August 17–24, 2026, join us for an unforgettable journey through the heart of Forbes country—castles, cathedrals, distilleries, and Highland games await! ► Walk the streets of Old Aberdeen ► View rare Forbes archives at the Sir Duncan Rice Library ► Sip whisky at Glen Garioch Distillery ► Tour Druminnor Castle and learn about the first Forbes stronghold ► Join Lord and Lady Forbes for tea at Castle Forbes ► Explore Fyvie, Pitsligo, Tolquhon, Corse, Craigievar, Crathes, &

Perched on parkland in the approaches to Inverurie, Thainstone House is an elegant country mansion now operating as a luxury hotel and spa. However, this was once the center of the estate owned by two branches of the House of Forbes: first to a cadet of the Forbes of Tolquhon and then a cadet of the Forbes of Craigievar, later known as the Forbes-Mitchells. In 1467, the estate was acquired by Alexander Forbes of Thainston, who was the son of Henry Forbes of Logie and grandson

On the Castle Forbes Estate, lies a remarkable relic of prehistoric architecture: the Cothiemuir Hill stone circle. The standing stones are a Neolithic recumbent stone circle, likely built for lunar observation and ritual use, and remain a culturally significant monument today. This is one of many such monuments scattered across northeast Scotland, yet it possesses unique features and enduring cultural resonance. Malcolm, Lord Forbes, at the Standing Stones. Cothiemuir Hill’s