Forbes and the Jacobite Rebellion of 1689

The first Jacobite Rebellion of 1689 was sparked when Catholic King James II and VII was deposed and replaced by his Anglican daughter Queen Mary and her husband King William. The rebellion was short-lived with only a single Jacobite victory and the rebelling Highland clan chiefs were eventually paid off. Throughout the two years of the conflict, William, the Master of Forbes, proved to be a zealous and stalwart military leader in support of William and Mary. The first and only Jacobite victory was at the Battle of Killiecrankie on July 27, 1689. After the Battle of Killiecrankie, the government started negotiating with the Jacobite chiefs. With the June 1691 Declaration of Achallader, the chiefs agreed to swear allegiance to the new monarchs in exchange for a total of £12,000, to be divided among them as they saw fit. However, after two years of delay by some clans, the government decided to make an example of one of the smallest and most troublesome clans. On February 13, 1692, the Earl of Argyll's Regiment of Foot under the command of Robert Campbell of Glenlyon killed about 30 members of the Clan MacDonald of Glencoe. The Massacre of Glencoe became a potent symbol for future Jacobites.

Learn more here: https://www.clan-forbes.org/post/jacobites-1689 

Balfluig Castle

Balfluig Castle was built in 1556, most likely by John Forbes of Balfluig (c.1520 – 1558) who was the second son of William, 2nd Laird of Corsindae (born c.1490), and great-grandson of the James, 2nd Lord Forbes (1424 – c.1462). The entrance is an arched doorway protected by gun-loops and the date “1556” is chiseled into the tapered stones (voussiors) forming the archway. Due to the extensive travel and military campaigns of Alexander, 10th Lord Forbes, many of his children were born in his cousin’s estate of Balfluig. The Royalist army under the command of James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose, burned the roof and wooden structures of the castle during the Battle of Alford on July 2, 1645. John Forbes of Balfluig sold the barony and castle to Francis Farquharson of Haughton in 1753. The castle was used as farm house and eventually became derelict. The castle was restored in 1998 and can now be rented as a “self-catering” holiday accommodation.

Learn more here: https://www.clan-forbes.org/post/balfluig

The Rise of Forbes from "Reid Harlaw"

The 1411 Battle of Harlaw (also called “Reid” or Red Harlaw) was one of the bloodiest conflicts on Scottish soil. The Earldom of Ross was claimed by both Donald of Islay, Lord of the Isles and Robert Stewart, Earl of Buchan (the "Wolf of Badenoch.") To secure his claim, Donald of Islay recruited the clans of MacIntosh, Maclean, Macleod, Cameron and Chattan to join with the MacDonalds. He took Inverness and advanced toward Aberdeen. However, he was met at Harlaw on July 24, 1411, by a force commanded by Alexander Stewart, Earl of Mar and nephew by adoption to Robert Stewart. The Earl of Mar, commanded the clans of Leslie, Lovell, Murray, Straiton, and Forbes. The clans battled all day and at dusk Donald withdrew. The battle is commemorated by a 40-foot high memorial on the battlefield near the town of Inverurie. Alexander Forbes (ca. 1380 – 1448), son of Sir John de Forbes, joined the Earl of Mar in the battle. Due to his prowess in the battle, Forbes was granted the hand in marriage to Elizabeth, the granddaughter of Robert III King of Scots. In 1423, the Earl of Mar, granted Forbes the lands of Alford, the foundation of the estates around the present Castle Forbes (then called Putachie.) By July 1442, Forbes was made a Lord of Parliament.

Learn more here: https://www.clan-forbes.org/harlaw

New Forbes DNA Research Project Announced

The Society is pleased to announce that the FamilyTreeDNA Forbes Group Administrator is planning to conduct a formal project to research the Y-DNA origins of the clan chief, analyze and compare the DNA test results of the Forbes surname group at FamilyTreeDNA, explore the likely ancient origins of the different Y-DNA genetic groups within the project, and investigate autosomal DNA (atDNA)  connections between project members to determine ancestral links. This Forbes DNA project would be written up as a full thesis and it may get published. He will be applying for a small grant to further the research which would be used for testing some more project members.  Mr. Stead seeks as wide a genetic pool as possible and advises the use of the Big Y-700 DNA test. The Society encourages the participation of all clan members with the surname Forbes, especially those with the haplogroups R-M269, I-M253, and I-M223.

Learn more here: https://www.clan-forbes.org/post/dna-research-project

2021 Grandfather Mountain Highland Games in North Carolina

The Society was well-represented at the largest Scottish gathering in North America, Grandfather Mountain Highland Games (GMHG) in North Carolina! Featured in the popular video series Outlander, the GMHG roared back to life after being cancelled last year. Convener Ron Pearson secured the clan tent which was ably hosted by (above, left to right) Ann Forbes, Carolyn Forbes, Kinsey Tisdale, Kathryn Tisdale, and Tyler Tisdale. The tent was visited by over fifty people, over thirty signed up for the free newsletter as Affiliate Members, eight became new Active Members, and two renewed their Active Membership! We also showcased our new publication, House of Forbes for Kids. Please let us know if you would like to host a Clan Forbes Society tent for any of the upcoming games and festivals!

Learn more here: https://www.clan-forbes.org/games. 

Join the Clan Forbes Society Team!

Your volunteer Directors Bart, Leslie, and Jim are looking for more Forbes Team members! If you are passionate about your heritage and have some time to offer, consider volunteering for the Clan Forbes Society. You’ll need some basic office skills with MS Excel, MS Word, MS Outlook, Adobe Acrobat, and some comfort with online services such as PayPal and website hosting services. Or you may be willing to learn! We’re looking for folks to assist in the following roles:

Bookkeeper: You’ll transfer funds from the Society PayPal account into our checking account every week or so and then compile the monthly financial report in MS Excel. You can see the examples in the monthly reports on the Society Business page at https://www.clan-forbes.org/society-business

Newsletter Editor: Every month, you’ll compile a MS Word version of the newsletter from the weekly Facebook postings, latest new and renewing members, and updated games schedule. You’ll then create the e-mail version on the Wix website and send out to all the Affiliate and Active Members on the on-line e-mail list.

Membership Coordinator: You’ll check the membership e-mails regularly to find out who joined or renewed recently through PayPal. From these e-mails, you’ll update the membership list using MS Excel, create a membership certificate using the MS Word Template, convert the certificate to an Adobe Acrobat document, and send “thank you” letter with the attached certificate. You’ll also correspond with members concerning joining, answer any questions they have, send out renewal requests, and respond to website access requests. 

Researcher: You’ll conduct historical research on the Internet and through our online Reference Library (see https://www.clan-forbes.org/library) of over 80 books for reference to members of the House of Forbes. You’ll cross-check the validity of the information and create the citations. You’ll write articles and biographies for publication on the Clan Forbes Society and for possible inclusion in the upcoming book House of Forbes: History and Heritage.

Many of these jobs have related instructional videos and you’ll receive live Zoom coaching from our own Bart Forbes, who currently performs all these functions. Interested and want to discuss? Contact Bart at president@clan-forbes.org. 

Welcome Members!

Please welcome our new Active Members for July 2021:

• Ms. Elizabeth Forbes Mangrum, North Carolina, USA
• Mr. Christopher Minty, New York, USA
• Ms. Cathy D. Forbes, Tennessee, USA
• Ms. Janet M. LeTarte, New Hampshire, USA
• Mary Elizabeth Forbes Kurachek, Texas, USA
• Montana Louise Forbes, Queensland, Australia
• Mr. Chatham Forbes, Oregon, USA
• Mr. Jason Berryhill, California, USA
• Ms. Cynthia Tapper, Virginia, USA
• Mr. Eric Forbes, California, USA
• Mr. Robby Gouge, North Carolina, USA
• Mr. Jackson Gouge, North Carolina, USA
• Ms. Susan Forbes, Florida, USA
• Ms. Joanne Forbes, North Carolina, USA
• Kevin P. Forbes, South Carolina, USA
• Ms. Catherine Forbes, Maryland, USA
• Mr. Robin Peter Forbes, Florida, USA
• Ms. Margaret Leach Harrill, South Carolina, USA
   

Please welcome back our renewing Active Members for July 2021:

• Mr. James H. Forbess, Tennessee, USA
• Mr. Richard A. Forbes, Illinois, USA
• Ms. Gwendolyn Ann Forbes, Florida, USA
• Ms. Carolyn R. Forbes, Mississippi, USA
• Mr. Robert Forbes, Ireland

Become an Active Member or Renew Now!

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. Thanks to all our 2020 members – and now it’s time to renew your support for 2021!

Renew your membership here. 

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

Some of the 2021 Highland Games and Scottish Festivals are being rescheduled. Please check the Clan Forbes Society website for the latest announcements: https://www.clan-forbes.org/games 

Scotland

Lonach Highland Gathering & Games

Cancelled for 2021, Bellabeg, Strathdon, Aberdeenshire

United States

Detroit Highland Games

August 6 – 7; Livonia, Michigan

Bitterroot Scottish Irish Festival

August 21 – 22; Hamilton, Montana

Maine Highland Games & Scottish Festival

August 21, 2021; Topsham, Maine

Clan Forbes Convener: Leslie A. Furbish

Virginia Scottish Games

September 4 & 5, 2021; The Plains, Virginia, Convener: Ron Pearson

Iron Thistle Highland Games

September 11 & 12, 2021; Yukon, OK

North East South Dakota Celtic Faire & Games

September 18 & 19, 2021; Richmond Lake, Aberdeen, South Dakota

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Maine Celtic Celebration

September 18, 2021; Belfast, Maine

McMinnville Scottish Festival and Highland Games

October 9 & 10, 2021; McMinnville, Oregon

Charleston Scottish Games
November 6th, 2021; Riverfront Park, Charleston, South Carolina

Clan Forbes Convener: Victor and Amy Ney

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Loch Norman Highland Games

April 9 - 10, 2022; Huntersville, North Carolina

Cancelled:

• Jersey Shore Piping and Drumming Classic, New Jersey
• Skagit Valley Highland Games & Celtic Festival, Washington
• Colorado Scottish Festival and Rocky Mountain Highland Games
• Pacific Northwest Scottish Highland Games, Washington
• Portland Highland Games, Oregon
• Elizabeth Celtic Festival, Colorado
• US InterRegional Highland Dancing Championship, Colorado
• Spokane Highland Games, Washington
• Monterey Scottish Games and Celtic Festival, California
• Central New York Scottish Games and Celtic Festival
• Jamestown Celtic Festival and Gathering of the Clans, New York
• Douglas County Highland Games and Clan Gathering, Oregon
• Long Island Scottish Festival and Highland Games, New York
• Green Hill Highland Games, Virginia

Canada

Montreal Highland Games

August 1, 2021; virtual

Fergus Scottish Festival & Highland Games

August 13 - 15, 2021; virtual

Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo

Virtual Global Tour for 2021; various

Cancelled:

• Glengarry Highland Games, Ontario