Clan Forbes Society Blogs

You already bear a deep appreciation for the legacy, resilience, and remarkable history of Clan Forbes. Now, you can cherish the one book that brings that legacy to life more vividly, more intimately, and more powerfully than anything published before: Forbes: A Story of Scotland.

Corse Castle has stood for us for centuries. Now it is our turn to stand for Corse. Corse Castle stands today as a gaunt, roofless shell on a quiet rise above the Corse Burn—its stones weathered, its halls silent, its once‑proud silhouette softened by centuries of wind and overgrowth. Yet for the Forbes family, this ruin was once the beating heart of a powerful cadet line whose influence stretched across Scotland, Ireland, and the world. In 1476, King James III granted Patric

The Clan Forbes: Official Guide is now available on Amazon! This comprehensive, authoritative guide brings together our origins, our cadet branches, our castles and estates, our notable figures, and the traditions that continue to bind us as a global community. This work is the result of years of research, collaboration, and dedication to historical integrity. It is designed not only as a reference, but as an invitation: an invitation to explore, to learn, and to take pride i

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

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 collaborat

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, &

The Clan Forbes Society has unveiled an exciting new way for members and supporters to showcase their Scottish pride—through a vibrant collection of custom-designed apparel now available at their official online store: https://clan-forbes-society.printify.me. Whether you're a proud descendant, a history enthusiast, or simply drawn to the rich legacy of Clan Forbes, this new store offers a stylish way to express your connection. The t-shirts feature bold designs inspired by th

The Clan Forbes Society is proud to announce the 2026 Grant and Scholarship Program—an inspiring opportunity for individuals dedicated to preserving and promoting traditional Scottish culture. Whether you're mastering the bagpipes, studying Gaelic, researching Highland history, or competing in Highland games, this program is designed to support your journey. The Clan Forbes Society will provide up to $500 in financial assistance for members actively engaged in activities, tra

The current Clan Forbes Society is built upon the foundation of an earlier Society founded in 1979 in Virginia, USA. The first society was based on in-person events and printed materials. The new Society, incorporated in 2018, combines this heritage with modern innovation to serve a new generation throughout the world.

The Clan Forbes Society has just secured a new members benefit – a 25% discount off the digital version of the Scottish Banner magazine! The Scottish Banner is the international newspaper for the Scottish heritage community and those with an interest in Scottish culture and tradition. Available nationally across Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the USA and by world-wide subscription service, the Scottish Banner offers its readers stories on Scottish current affairs, regular fe

Everyone who visits Castle Forbes will notice an antique secretary overflowing with men’s shaving and grooming products. This line of “Castle Forbes” shaving creams, after shave balms, and men’s cologne was created Jinny, Lady Forbes, in 1996. An ardent horticulturist, she began experimenting with the combination of different scents in the old dairy building in the back of Castle Forbes. Joined by perfumery expert and family friend, Andrew French, she used only pure essential

If you love a good mystery and all things Scottish, you’ll want to immerse yourself in the imaginary world of “Loch Lonach” with Virginia Ann (Ginny) Forbes. The six books of the Loch Lonach Scottish Mystery Series were created by “Maggie Foster,” the nom de plume (or nom de crime) of a long-time Clan Forbes Society member. Maggie herself is a seventh-generation Texan of Scottish descent. In addition to enjoying Scottish traditions and culture, she has gained a lifetime of ex

The Clan Forbes Scotland Tour 2024 was a memorable week of visiting heritage sites, meeting clan members, and sharing fellowship! The tour participants first gathered at the Sandman Signature Hotel in Aberdeen for drinks and dinner. There they met their guide for the entire tour, Jamie, Lord Sempill. They were joined by the ScotlandShop that provided a “pop-up” store with many Forbes crest and tartan items for sale. At least one member was measured for a full Forbes tartan ki

Cindy Johnson likes to throw her weight around. And she’s very good at it! “CJ,” as she preferred to be called, started training and competing in Highland Games in 2015 and in 2016 she gained a fifth place finish in the Highland Games Masters Championships for the Women’s Class of 55-plus. In 2017, she upped her game to earn a third place bronze medal. In both 2018 and 2019, she secured first place gold medals. This past year she has achieved five world records in her age c

Convener Anne Forbes (right) The Clan Forbes Society has just received a donation of $1,100 that matches the volunteer hours of Clan Convener Ann Forbes of Florida. While many companies (see below) match their employees’ contributions, some such as the Disney Company also match their volunteer time. As Ann explains: “At Disney, we can turn our volunteer hours into dollars to donate to an approved charity. The max is $2000.00 per year if we volunteer 200 hours.” The $1,100 don

As the daylight hours shorten and the estate has its first covering of snow of the winter, our thoughts turn to the milder summer months and the many visits to Castle Forbes that we had from members of the Clan Forbes Society and others. . . some of whom, I hope, have now also joined the Society. One major achievement on the estate this year has been the restoration work that has been undertaken at the Old Keig Kirkyard in the park at Castle Forbes thanks to the very generous

If you’re a Clan Forbes member who enjoys holiday movies, you’ll want to watch “Christmas at the Castle” (originally released in 2019 as “Christmas in the Highlands.”) The movie has a strong connection to the Castle Forbes perfumery – and even includes a brief clip of the old dairy building on the Castle Forbes Estate! This 90-minute film produced by Reel One Entertainment follows Blair Henderson (Brooke Burfitt), a perfume expert based in New York City. She travels to Scotla

Formation Parade of the 215 (Scottish) Multirole Regiment at Edinburgh Castle On Saturday, December 2, 2023, Malcolm and Jinny, Lord and Lady Forbes, were honored guests at the formation parade of the newly reconstituted 215 (Scottish) Multirole Medical Regiment at Edinburgh Castle. Regiment leaders requested to use the Forbes Modern Tartan as the official tartan, which Lord Forbes granted. The new regiment, Scotland’s only medical Army Reserve unit, was created from the comb

Everyone who visits Castle Forbes will notice an antique secretary overflowing with men’s shaving and grooming products. This line of “Castle Forbes” shaving creams, after shave balms, and men’s cologne was created Jinny, Lady Forbes, in 1996. An ardent horticulturist, she began experimenting with the combination of different scents in the old dairy building in the back of Castle Forbes. Joined by perfumery expert and family friend, Andrew French, she used only pure essential

The Clan Forbes Society has published a new clan guide that is clear and accurate -- unlike many other versions peddled by Scottish shops. This new 32-page full-color booklet Clan Forbes: Heritage & Legacy includes the origin of the clan, a summary of the clan’s impact in Scottish history, a graphic representation of the major branches and cadet houses, brief descriptions of 12 of the more notable castles and mansion houses, and 25 short biographies of Forbeses of distinction