Royal Cousins

The year 2022 marks the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, the cousin-in-law, once removed, of our clan chief Malcolm, Lord Forbes. This celebration commemorates the 70th anniversary of the accession of the Queen on February 6, 1952. Captain Nigel Ivan Forbes, then Master of Forbes and later 22nd Lord Forbes, married the Hon. Rosemary Katharine Hamilton-Russell, in 1942. Lady Rosemary was the daughter of Gustavus William Hamilton-Russell, 9th Viscount Boyne (1864–1942) and Margaret Selina Lascelles (1883-1978). Lady Margaret’s brother was Henry Lascelles, Viscount Lascelles and later the 6th Earl of Harewood (1882 –1947), who married Mary, later the Princess Royal, in 1922. For the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II on June 2, 1953, at Westminster Abbey, Nigel, then Master of Forbes, carried the Princess Royal’s coronet and Lady Rosemary carried her train.

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

Marian Civil War and the Forbes "Annus  Horribilissimus"

While 2021 may be remembered as a horrible year for many people, Forbeses experienced another "annus  horribilissimus" 450 years earlier. The Marian Civil War began in 1567 when Catholic Mary, Queen of Scots, abdicated the throne in favor of her one-year old son, James, who was to be raised as a Protestant. During the war that followed, the Protestant Forbeses supported the Government led by Mary’s half-brother James Stewart, Earl of Moray, and the Catholic Gordons held out for the exiled Queen. In 1571, Adam Gordon of Auchindoun was victorious over the Forbeses in the main battles in Tillieangus on 10th October and at Craibstane on 20th November. He stormed all Forbes strongholds ordered massacres at Corgarff Castle and Kearn Kirk.

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

Corse Castle

Corse Castle is a Forbes fortress that is the ancestral home of the first Forbes in America. In the 16th century, the original house on the site was destroyed by bandits in a raid. The present castle was erected by the laird Sir William Forbes and bears his initials with the date 1581. Sir William is reputed to have said of his projected new castle, "Please God I will build me such a house as thieves will need to knock at ere they enter." The castle was abandoned in the mid-19th century, when replaced by a new house.

Learn more at https://www.clan-forbes.org/corse

Duncan Forbes, 5th Laird of Culloden

Duncan Forbes, 5th laird of Culloden, and Lord President of the Court of Sessions, was the highest-ranking official in the British government in Scotland in 1745. He raised military forces to oppose the Jacobite rebellion of Charles Edward Louis John Casimir Sylvester Severino Maria Stuart (“Bonnie Prince Charlie.”) Stuart used Forbes’s Culloden Estate as his headquarters during the preparations for the April 1746 Battle of Culloden. A statue of him was erected in the Parliament House, Edinburgh.

Learn more here: https://www.clan-forbes.org/people/Duncan-Forbes-of-Culloden

2022 Officers and Board of Directors

The 2022 elections had the largest turnout since this Society was incorporated! In total, 43 paid members voted and answered our survey questions. This represents about 20% of all eligible voters with e-mail accounts on file. The results were unanimous: President: Barry Robert (Bart) Forbes; Vice President for Conveners: Leslie Furbish; and Vice President for Operations: James G. Forbes II. While the 2022 elections are over, the Society can still use your assistance. We are still looking for folks who are willing to assist with hosting tents at games, membership, newsletter, and research.

For more information, please see:  https://www.clan-forbes.org/volunteer 

Clan Gathering and Annual General Meeting

If you are a current paid member of the Clan Forbes Society, please join us for the January 2022 Clan Gathering and Annual General Meeting! You should have already received your invitation and Zoom link.  Janet Robertson of Thistle Dubh Enterprises will provide an update of the August 2022 Clan Forbes Scotland Tour and answer your questions about the tour and about travelling in general. Leslie Furbish, Vice President for Conveners, will provide an overview of the Society’s participation in Highland Games and Scottish Festivals in 2021. Each of the local Clan Conveners will share their experiences at these events and update us on upcoming events. Jim Forbes, Vice President for Operations, will review the finances and the impact of our communications for 2021. Bart Forbes, President, will recap our major accomplishments in 2021 and provide an overview of our goals for 2022. Then we’ll have plenty of time to answer your questions and brainstorm about the future of our Society! If you haven’t received your invitation, please check the date of your last membership dues payment. If you have any questions, please contact Bart Forbes at president@clan-forbes.org.

In-Person Clan Gathering Options Surveyed

Thanks to the great response to our survey of paid members, the Board will be exploring the possibility of having an in-person Clan Gathering in 2022 or 2023. The results of our recent survey indicated:

Would you be willing to travel to an in-person Clan Forbes Gathering in 2022 or 2023?
58% Yes; 66% Depends on location; 24% Depends on cost; 19% Depends on events; 10% Depends on speakers; 39% Depends on dates

What are the most desirable places for an in-person Clan Forbes Gathering?
65% A place with historic Forbes connections; 57% In connection with a major Scottish festival; 15% At a major tourist destination; 17% A major urban area

What would you like to have at a Clan Forbes Gathering?
42% Clan Chief, Malcolm, Lord Forbes; 42% Field trips to historic Forbes sites; 66% Speakers on Forbes Heritage; 55% Speakers and workshops on researching Forbes genealogy; 34% Opportunities to compare genealogies; 45% Opportunity to purchase Clan Forbes items

Welcome Members!

Please welcome our new Active Members for December 2021:

• Mr. Steven Anthony Forbes, Kentucky, USA
• Mr. Logan Daniel Forbes, Iowa, USA
• Mr. Alonzo Forbes Clayton, Indiana, USA
• Mr. James W. Grant, Jr., New Mexico, USA
• Ms. Debra Lynn Kelco, Michigan, USA
• Ms. Renee Douglas Forbes, Florida, USA
• Mr. Travis Ryan Forbes, New York, USA
• Ms. Janet Pusateri, California, USA 
• Ms. Lori K. Schneider, Washington, USA
• Sir Thayne John Forbes, England, UK
• Mr. Jason Forbes Browne, England, UK
• Mr. Adam John Forbes, Queensland, Australia

Please welcome back our Renewing Active Members for December 2021: 

• Mr. Ernest Walters, California, USA
• Ms. Elspeth Forbes-Wiltshire, England, UK 
• Ms. Dianne Snyder, Tennessee, USA
• Ms. Annette Zamarchi, New Hampshire, USA
• Mr. Walter H. Boyes, Jr., Washington, 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 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 2022 Highland Games and Scottish Festivals are being rescheduled. If you would like to host a tent at your local event, download our Clan Convener Guide and contact VP for Conveners Leslie Furbish at leslieingramx6@msn.com. Please check the Clan Forbes Society website for the latest announcements: https://www.clan-forbes.org/games 

United States

Central Florida Scottish Highland Games

January 15-16, 2022; Central Winds Park, Winter Springs, Florida
Clan Forbes Convener: Ann Forbes

 Mount Dora Scottish Highland Festival 

February 19 & 20, 2022; Mount Dora, Florida

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Sarasota Highland Games & Celtic Festival

February 25, 2022; Sarasota Fairgrounds, Sarasota, Florida

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Loch Norman Highland Games

April 9 - 10, 2022; Huntersville, North Carolina

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Savannah Scottish Games

May 7, 2022: Bethesda Academy, Savannah, Georgia

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Monterey Scottish Games & Festival

July 16 & 17, 2022; Monterey County Fairgrounds, Monterey, California

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Columbus (Indiana) Scottish Festival

September 10 & 11, 2022; Bartholomew County Fairgrounds, Columbus, Indiana

Stone Mountain Highland Games and Scottish Festival

October 14 - 16, 2022; Stone Mountain Park, Stone Mountain, Georgia
Clan Forbes Convener: Joshua Fordyce