Clan Forbes Scotland Tour 2024

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 kilt that arrived back in the States a few weeks after the tour.

The next day, they boarded a luxury tour bus for a tour of the City of Aberdeen. The first stop was the plaque commemorating the 1571 Battle of Crabstane between John, Master of Forbes, (son of William, 7th Lord Forbes) and Adam Gordon of Auchindoun. Gordon captured the Master of Forbes and imprisoned him in Strathbogie Castle (later called Huntly Castle), the clan seat of the Gordons.

The next stop was the Sir Duncan Rice Library at the University of Aberdeen. The library staff shared many of its Forbes artifacts including paintings by renown portraitist Anne Forbes (1745-1834), manuscripts, a detailed map of the grounds of Castle Forbes, and hand-written family trees.

The afternoon was devoted to a walking tour of the University  of Aberdeen that included the Kings College and St. Machar’s Cathedral and Graveyard, the final resting place of Bishop Alexander Forbes (1564–1617) and Bishop Patrick Forbes of Corse (1564 –1635).

After the walking tour, the group had a quick snack at the top of a double-decker food truck at Aberdeen Beach and then visited the Loch Garioch Distillery, one of the oldest working distilleries in Scotland.

The next morning started a very special day! The first stop was at the first Castle Forbes, now called Druminnor Castle, which was the Clan Forbes seat for 500 years. The group was met by Alex Forbes of Druminnor who showed the recent excavations on the estate and shared much of the history of Clan Forbes.

The group then proceeded to meet Clan Forbes Chief Malcolm, 23rd Lord Forbes, Premier Lord of Scotland. He was joined by his wife Jinny, Lady Forbes, and Geordie, the Master of Forbes and heir to the Lordship. The Castle Forbes estates were granted to Sir Alexander Forbes in 1411 for his part in the defeat of Donald of the Isles at the Battle of Harlaw. The group was surprised and thrilled that one tour participant, Colin Eilts, proposed marriage to his girlfriend Ashley Forbes in the main lounge of the castle! She accepted. Lord and Lady Forbes approved.

The group then visited the Keig Old Kirk and kirkyard, the final resting place for many clan chiefs, including James, 15th Lord Forbes; James, 16th Lord Forbes; Horace Courtenay, 19th Lord Forbes; Atholl Monson, 20th Lord Forbes; and Atholl Lawrence Cunyngham, 21st Lord Forbes. A plaque was unveiled noting that the Clan Forbes Society was responsible for raising funds for the renovations of the kirk and kirkyard.

On day three of the tour, the group visited Fyvie Castle with its impressive collection of antiquities, armor and lavish oil paintings. This impressive turreted building was transformed by the Preston, Meldrum, Gordon and Forbes-Leith families over 800 years. Born in Aberdeen but becoming a steel magnate in the United States, Alexander Leith purchased the castle in 1889. Alexander adopted the additional name Forbes to his surname in memory of his mother, Mary Forbes of Ballogie. In 1984, his grandson, Sir Andrew Forbes-Leith, 3rd Baronet, sold Fyvie Castle and its contents to the National Trust for Scotland. After the tour, the group was treated to a brief piano concert by guide Ronan. Lunch was served at the Davron Hotel in Rosehearty, Fraserburgh.

From there, the tour continued to the ruined Pitsligo Castle. This was the home of the Forbes of Pitsligo for over three centuries. Alexander Forbes, 4th Lord Pitsligo, served as Head of Horse for Charles Edward Stuart in his failed attempt to unseat the British monarchy in 1745. As punishment, Lord Pitsligo’s estates were seized he was declared an outlaw. The final stop for the day was Tolquhon Castle. Now in ruins, the castle was once one of the most beautiful castles in Scotland. Between 1584 and 1589, Sir William Forbes built the castle around the original defensive tower built around 1420. After William Forbes' death his descendants continued to occupy Tolquhon until 1718 when it was seized by the government for debts. The group then paid their respects at Sir William’s tomb in Tarves.

The next day started with a visit to the newly-harled pink Craigievar Castle with its turrets, gargoyles and high corbelling. The castle was completed in 1626 by William Forbes of Menie. From then it had been lived in by the Forbes of Craigievar and Forbes-Sempill family until gifted to the National Trust of Scotland in 1963. Jamie, Lord Sempill, shared stories of visiting his grandfather, William, the 10th Baronet of Craigievar and 19th Lord Sempill, who was the last private owner of Craigievar Castle. From there, the group continued on to the neolithic Tomnaverie Recumbent Stone Circle. The monument surrounds a burial cairn dating to about 4,500 years ago. The group lunched at the Boat Inn in Aboyne and then continued on to the Victorian village of Ballater which sits in the heart of Royal Deeside for some excellent shopping!

Saturday started off with a visit to Corgarff Castle, built in the mid-16th century by Forbes of Towie. This was the site of the tragic murder of Mistress Margaret Campbell Forbes and her daughters by Adam Gordon as related in the ballad “Edom o’ Gordon.” The rest of the day was devoted to the Clan Forbes own Lonach Highland Gathering and Games, the friendliest Highland Games in Scotland! The Lonach Highland and Friendly Society was founded in 1823 by Sir Charles Forbes, 1st Baronet of Newe and Edinglassie. The group was joined in the stands by Lord and Lady Forbes and Geordie, Master of Forbes. The current patron, Sir James Forbes of Newe, 8th Baronet, joined the group at the luncheon tent. Later, Sir James Forbes, the new laird of Corse and Craigievar greeted the group.

The final full day of the tour began with a visit to Crathes Castle, a 16th century tower house. King Robert the Bruce granted the lands of Leys to the Burnett family in 1323. The Forbes and Burnett families were closely allied through marriage and politics. Alexander Burnet, 9th laird of Leys (1529-1574) married Marjory, daughter of John, 6th Lord Forbes, and included the Lord Forbes coat of arms in the ceiling of his great hall. The group finished up at Dunnottar Castle, one of the most dramatic settings anywhere in Scotland. The grounds of the castle includes the house of Thomas Forbes of Waterton, a prominent Covenanter who often stayed at the castle.

The Society is currently planning the 2026 Clan Forbes Scotland Tour! The Tour is limited to twenty people. Active Members and Patron Members will receive the first opportunity to book their seats. You can join here: https://www.clan-forbes.org/join#join.

Grace Me Guide!