Christmas Message from Clan Chief Malcolm, Lord Forbes

"The Scottish Clan system gives us all a bond with a special group of people with an unwritten connection founded many centuries ago in the northern part of a small island off the coast of Europe. We are, of course, instantly recognisable to each other when we wear our unique tartan and, through the revitalised Clan Forbes Society, can now connect so easily with each other and learn so much about our ancestors and their proud history. I would like to pay tribute to all who so enthusiastically foster the traditions of our clan through the Clan Forbes Society. And Lady Forbes joins me in wishing all members of the Society a Very Happy Christmas: and may 2021 bring health, happiness and a chance to reconnect with each other in the ways to which we were accustomed."See complete message here: https://www.clan-forbes.org/post/lord-forbes-2020-christmas-message

Happy Hogmanay!

Hogmanay is a quintessentially Scottish celebration: born of pagan mysticism, enlivened with Viking bravado, challenged by religious clashes, and enriched by local traditions. Beginning in the 16th century, the Protestant Reformation  effectively banned Christmas for 400 years. In fact, Christmas Day didn’t become a public holiday in Scotland until 1958. Instead, Scots celebrated the mid-winter holiday of Hogmanay with their friends and families. Learn more from a 1898 article in the "Scots Magazine" by Eric Forbes and a 2000 article in the "World and I Magazine"  by B.R. Forbes here: https://www.clan-forbes.org/post/heritage-of-hogmanay 

Forbes and the Aberdeen Salmon War

The 54-year tenure of John, 6th Lord Forbes (1472 - 1547) was troubled by feuds with the Leslies and Gordons – and a battle with the city of Aberdeen over salmon. The Rivers Dee and Don flowed through the ancestral Barony of Forbes and was the spawning ground of salmon, or “black fish.” The Forbes family traditionally protected the fishing rights for Aberdeen fishermen and in return received a tun of wine every year. However, in 1521 the Council of Aberdeen accused Lord Forbes of “using every expedient to interrupt and destroy the salmon fishings of the rivers Dee and Don.” As a result, the Council of Aberdeen started withholding the wine payment in 1530. In retaliation, Lord Forbes, John Forbes of Pitsligo, Arthur Forbes of Brux, and other clansmen and servants invaded Aberdeen. The citizens drove the Forbes force to take refuge in the Grey Friars friary in Gallowsgate. Several townsmen were killed and the Forbeses lost one servant, “an arm hewn from one clansman, a finger from another and two from a third.” Forbes of Brux filed a “breach of peace” lawsuit against the Aberdeen Provost and citizens. However, the defendants were acquitted by the High Court of Justiciary at Linlithgow. On December 12, 1530, Lord Forbes gave a bond to the Aberdeen Council to recommit to the original agreement, under penalty of £5,000 to be paid to the King. Learn more here: https://www.clan-forbes.org/post/aberdeen-salmon-war

Druminnor Castle

Druminnor Castle in Rhynie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, was originally known as Castle Forbes and was the seat of the Chiefs of Clan Forbes for over 500 years. The Old Tower (now demolished) was probably built before 1300. The Great Hall block, then called ‘ye house of Drumynnour’, was added by Alexander, 1st Lord Forbes, (1380 - 1448) about 1430-40. In 1770, James 16th Lord Forbes, (1725 – 1804) sold Druminnor to his cousin Captain John Forbes of Newe who in turn resold it to John Grant of Rothmaise. Lord Forbes moved across the Braes of Forbes to the house of Putachie, which became the new seat of Clan Forbes. In 1815, Putachie was rebuilt and renamed Castle Forbes. The Margaret Forbes-Sempill, a daughter of Lord Forbes-Sempill of Craigievar, bought Druminnor, restoring it to Forbes ownership after a gap of 185 years. Between 1960 and 1965, she demolished the 1841 additions and restored what was left of the old Forbes castle. In 1975, Druminnor was bought by Andrew Forbes of the Pitsligo & Monymusk branch. The current owner is Andrew’s son, Alexander Forbes. Learn more here: https://www.clan-forbes.org/druminnor-castle

Scottish Y-DNA Tests: Breaking the Log-jam

If you‘ve reached an impasse with tracing your genealogy, DNA testing may be just the tool you need to break through. Noted genealogist Dr. Bruce Durie, BSc (Hons) PhD OMLJ, offered some advice and cautions at the virtual 2020 Scottish North American Community Conference on Friday, December 4, 2020. Dr. Durie emphasized that you should utterly mistrust any online family tree and be very skeptical of any claimed “origins” offered by commercial DNA test vendors. For men, the best way to break the log-jam of tracing your genealogy is to identify your Y-DNA haplogroup. Compare your haplogroup to men with your surname whose family has resided in the same area for a couple of centuries. Learn more here: https://www.clan-forbes.org/post/scottish-ydna-tests

Clan Forbes Reference Library for Active Members

The Clan Forbes Society maintains an extensive library of over 40 reference books on the history of Scotland and its clans and families. These volumes include such Scottish histories as Annals of Scotland from the Accession of Malcolm III, Surnamed Canmore, to the Accession of Robert I (1776); History of Scotland in 7 Volumes (1841); and Rerum Scoticarum Historia (History of Scotland) (1582.) Scottish clans and families are covered in History of the Feuds and Conflicts  Among the Clans (1780); Clans of Scotland (1886); and Clans, Septs, and Regiments of the Scottish Highlands (1908.) Historical collections include Ancient Criminal Trials in Scotland (1833); Extracts from the Council Register of the Burgh of Aberdeen 1398 — 1570 (1844); and Culloden Papers by the Right Honorourable Duncan Forbes (1748.) The documents are available only to current Active Members of the Society. Learn more here: https://www.clan-forbes.org/post/reference-library

Congratulations to the Newly-elected Board of Directors!

President, Barry Robert (Bart) Forbes

As a teenager, Bart’s first poster was a map of the Clans of Scotland. For the past 20 years, he has served such Scottish American organizations as the St. Andrew’s Society of Washington, D.C. (2 years as president), National Tartan Day Executive Committee of the American-Scottish foundation, and the Virginia Scottish Games. His career has included public broadcasting, association management, public affairs, and federal grants program officer. He jump-started the inactive Clan ForbesSociety in 2018. In 2020, he was elected as a Trustee for the national Council of Scottish Clans and Associations (COSCA.) 

Vice President for Conveners, Leslie A. Furbish (Ingram)
Leslie started her genealogical journey in 2017 when she discovered through a group of Outlander fan friends that she was a descendant of William (Forbes) Furbish. He came to Boston in 1650 as a POW from the Battle of Dunbar. She looks forward to learning more about history and her connection to the Forbes family in Scotland. She represents Clan Forbes as a Convener at local Scottish Festivals and Highland Games. She researched and updated the festivals for last year -- and faces the challenge of reconnecting with conveners in the coming year.

Vice President for Operations, James G. Forbes II
Jim’s first interest in Scottish heritage was sparked when he was 10 years old. His father gave him the book "The Clans of the Scottish Highlands" by R.R. McIan and he was hooked. Jim retired from the U.S. Army after about 25 years with the rank of Command Sergeant Major. His focus during the last 10 years was almost exclusively in Operations. Since retirement in 2018, he has served as an operations consultant for non-profit
organizations.Jim was instrumental in creaing the feature "Forbes in the Military."

Welcome Members!

Please welcome our new Active Member for December 2020:

• Ms. Alba M. Forbes, Indiana USA
• Mr. Blake Joseph Forbes, Indiana USA
• Mr. Douglas Scott Forbes, Florida USA 
• Ms. Allison Forbes Capozza, U.S. Armed Forces in Europe
• Mr. Casey Robison, Washington USA

Please welcome back our renewing Active Members for December 2020:

• James G. Forbes II, Indiana USA
• Bryan Scott Forbes, Missouri USA
• George Elliott Forbes, Kentucky USA
• Joan S. Michie, Matyland USA 
• Joseph R. Forbes, New York USA
• Annette Zamarchi, New Hampshire USA
• David Stewart Forbes, New York USA
• Larry Evans Tune, Georgia USA
• Dennis L. Furbush, Massachusetts USA

If you haven’t already supported the Society financially, please consider becoming a paid member! Active Membership is $25 annually will help the Society research the history and heritage of the House of Forbes; develop resources for tracing your genealogy with your cousins around the world; connect with other members in the Clan Forbes Community; and encourage more members to join us in events, tours and gatherings. 

Patron Members: If you don’t want the bother of renewing your membership every year, consider becoming a Patron Member for lifetime membership at the level of $600. 

Highland Games & Festivals

Many of the 2020 Highland Games and Scottish Festivals have been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please check the Clan Forbes Society website for the latest announcements: https://www.clan-forbes.org/games 

• Mount Dora Scottish Highland Festival, January 16-17, 2021, Downtown Mount Dora, Florida