Tumult at the Tolbooth

Two years after he succeeded as 8th Lord Forbes, John Forbes continued his political and religious activism in what was called a “tumult” at the Edinburgh Tolbooth. While slowly growing more secure in his monarchy, young James VI became more alarmed at the growing movement of Presbyterianism with the Protestant faith. On December 17, 1596, John, 8th Lord Forbes, and James Lindsay, 7th Lord Lindsay, confronted King James VI at the old Edinburgh Tolbooth. They demanded that the King revoke the “Black Acts” which abolished Presbyteries and established royal supremacy over the Kirk. The Presbyterians argued that they were not defying the King but that the sermons be under the jurisdiction of the General Assembly – which itself was under royal authority. However, the King thought otherwise and considered the “attempted coup” of that day to be treasonous. Due to his position and past loyalty, Lord Forbes apparently received little rebuke. However, James, 7th Lord Lindsay was heavily fined and his property was forfeited.

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

Sir Charles Forbes of Newe and Edinglassie, Bart.

Sir Charles Forbes of Newe and Edinglassie, 1st Baronet, (1774–1849) was the head of the first mercantile house in India and later became a politician and philanthropist. At age 16, Forbes travelled to Bombay, India, to join his uncle John Forbes (1743-1821), who had created Forbes & Company Ltd. in 1767. Charles Forbes learned the business in India and returned to Scotland in about 1810. Forbes was elected to the House of Commons in Parliament in 1812. As a conservative, Forbes was a strong opponent of the Reform Act which expanded the voting franchise. Ironically, in his opposition to the Act, he made a strong case for women’s suffrage. Forbes was also an ardent philanthropist and strong advocate for the people of India, with whom he lived for many years. One of his last acts as a Member of Parliament was an Act to appropriate funds to procure a supply of water for the inhabitants of Bengal. In April 1840, a statue of him was commissioned in appreciation of his efforts on the behalf of India. He died suddenly in November 1849. 

Learn more here: https://www.clan-forbes.org/people/Sir-Charles-Forbes-of-Newe-and-Edinglassie 

Forbes Coats of Arms

Many members of the House of Forbes have their own personal Coats of Arms registered by the Lord Lyon King of Arms. In fact, you can petition for your own Coat of Arms, either a new one or “matriculated” (derived) from an ancestor who had his own Coat of Arms. The use of Coats of Arms dates back to the 12th century when they were used by knights for identification. The number and variety created great confusion. This led to the development of an official class of “heralds,” who regulated the registration of “heraldic achievements” or "armorial bearings." The monarch would grant these Coats of Arms and allowed them to be inherited by the first sons of each family. While only one person may use a specific Coat of Arms, any clan member may use the family crest. The crest is that part of a Coat of Arms that appears at the top, above the shield. 

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

Battle of Culloden

The Battle of Culloden occurred on April 16, 1746 and ended the Jacobite Uprising of 1745. The uprising was a foreign invasion funded by the French and Spanish Catholic monarchs who attempted to use Charles Stuart, “Bonnie Prince Charlie,” to destabilize the government of Great Britain and install a client Catholic monarchy.  The House of Forbes were caught on both sides of the conflict. Clan Chief James, 15th Lord Forbes, (1689 – 1761) had been a Jacobite sympathizer during the Uprising of 1715 but did not engage in either side in 1745. His son James, Master of Forbes, (1725 – 1804) fought at Culloden with the British 25th Foot Regiment. Alexander Forbes, 4th Lord Pitsligo (1680 – 1762) fought on the Jacobite side at Culloden as Charles Stuart’s Master of Horse (cavalry.) He survived but his estates were seized and his title was attainted. In 1737, Duncan Forbes, 5th Lord of Culloden (1685 – 1747) and Lord President of the Court of Session, rallied in Inverness with around 2,000 recruits. Stuart captured Culloden Estate, which he used as his headquarters during the preparations for the Battle of Culloden. After the British Government victory in Culloden in April, Forbes returned home to find his house looted and all his cattle stolen. In 1881, Duncan Forbes, 10th Lord Culloden, erected the Culloden memorial cairn and placed stones around the estate to signify the clans involved with the battle.

Learn more here: https://www.clan-forbes.org/post/jacobite-uprising-1745 

Sponsors Requested for House of Forbes for Kids

The Clan Forbes Society is now seeking Sponsors for the upcoming publication House of Forbes for Kids, a heritage activity book for children of all ages! This new publication will be distributed free of charge to all current Active Members and shared at all Highland Games at tents hosted by the Society. The artist is DHShields (DHShields.com) and advisor is Kathryn Pearson Tisdale, a licensed general education teacher (PreK-6) and a licensed Reading Specialist (K-12.) She will be assisted by her two children, Tyler (12) and Kinsey (10.) Geordie, Master of Forbes, will offer a foreword.

For your donation of US$300 or more, your name will be included in the list of Sponsors in every book, you will be thanked on the Clan Forbes Society website, and you will receive ten (10) copies of the publication. Your donation is tax-exempt to the fullest extent of the law. The Clan Forbes Society has been organized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Society’s Employee Identification Number (EIN) is 83-2816169.

Our current Sponsors include:

• Barry Robert (Bart) Forbes - Texas, USA;
• Antonio Uribe, Jr. - Texas, USA;
• Marvin Forbes - California, USA;
• James and Alba Forbes - Indiana, USA;
• Rebecca W Hudson - North Carolina, USA; and
• The Scotland Shop - Edinburgh & Berwickshire, UK. 

Please make your donation here: https://www.clan-forbes.org/kids-sponsors 

Welcome Members!

Please welcome our new Active Members for April 2021:

• Ms. Joanna Hope Page, New Zealand
• Ms. Nicole Rose Forbus, Ohio USA
• Ms. Karen (Forbes) McCain, Indiana USA

Please welcome back our renewing Active Members for April 2021:

• Ms. Linda Forbes Bridgeman, New York USA
• Ms. Lori Lynn Caldwell, Ohio USA
• Mr. Allen Brockett Forbes, Virginia USA

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 2019 members – and now it’s time to renew your support for 2020!

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

Smoky Mountain Highland Games

May 15 - 16, 2021; Maryville, Tennessee

Texas Scottish Festival & Highland Games

May 1, 2021; Decatur, Texas

Clan Forbes Convener: Rick Forbes

Old Orchard Beach Scottish Festival & Games

June 5, 2021; Old Orchard Beach, Maine

Clan Forbes Convener: Leslie A. Furbish

Garrett County Celtic Festival

June 5, 2021; Friendsville, Maryland

Calaveras Celtic Faire (Formerly Sonora Celtic Faire)

June 18 - 20, 2021; Angel, California

Alaska Scottish Highland Games

June 26 - 27, 2021; Palmer, Alaska

McMinnville Scottish Festival

Jun 12 - 13, 2021; McMinnville, Oregon

Arizona Highland Celtic Festival

July 17 - 18, 2021; Flagstaff, Arizona

Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival

July 17, 2021; North Hampton, Massachusetts

Grandfather Mountain Highland Games

July 8 - 12, 2021; Linville, North Carolina

Clan Forbes Convener: Ron Pearson

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Maine Highland Games & Scottish Festival

August 21, 2021; Topsham, Maine

Clan Forbes Convener: Leslie A. Furbish

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Loch Norman Highland Games

April 9 - 10, 2022; Huntersville, North Carolina

Canada

Mosaic – A Festival of Cultures
May 27-29; Regina, Saskatchewan

Greater Moncton Highland Games
June 18-20; Moncton, New Brunswick

Red Deer Highland Games
June; Red Deer, Aleberta

Perth's World Record Kilt Run
June 26; Perth, Ontario

Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo
June 26–July 3; Halifax, NS

Almonte Celtfest
July 2-4; Almonte, Ontario

Penticton Scottish Festival
July 3; Penticton, British Columbia

Antigonish Highland Games
July 16-18; Antigonish, Nova Scotia

Okanagan Military Tattoo
July 23-24; Armstrong, British Columbia

Uxbridge Scottish Festival
July; Uxbridge, Ontario