John Forbes of Boyndlie and the Jacobite Cess Roll of 1715 

When John Erskine, Earl of Mar, usurped the Scottish tax system to support the Jacobite Rebellion of 1715, he turned to Aberdeenshire to the “cess” or tax collector, John Forbes of Boyndlie. On October 4, 1715, Mar ordered that the landowners pay him -- rather than the government -- their usual tax of six months based on the value of their land. On October 27, 1715, Mar issued the additional order that unless the landowners provided him with men to fight the government, they would pay twice their “cess” or land tax. John Forbes of Boyndlie was an ardent Jacobite and kept meticulous records of the cess paid by each landowner in the “synod” of Aberdeenshire. In 1715, Aberdeenshire was organized into eight presbyteries (“presbritries”) which were subdivided into 97 parishes (“parochs.”) Forbes also carefully noted the "Jacobites" (after the Latin name Jacobus for James) who paid the regular cess and those “Hanoverians” (those loyal to the monarch George I, who was the great-grandson of James I and VI and also the hereditary Elector of Hanover) who paid the double cess.

Learn more here:  https://www.clan-forbes.org/post/jacobite-cess-roll-1715 

Skellater House

Once the home of 18th century Jacobites, mansion house Skellater House is now the modern home of an American family in Aberdeenshire. In 1604, George Forbes received a charter of the lands of Skellater from Alexander, Master of Elphinstone. His son William Forbes, 2nd laird of Skellater, (1615 – c. 1695), supported King Charles I in the English Civil War from 1642 to 1651. Skellater House was built in 1727 for Lachlan Forbes of Edinglassie, George’s grandson. The two-story T-plan house was built with rubble walls comprising large field boulders with small pinnings with harling over Granite dressings and chamfered arrises. In 1770, Lachlan renovated Skellater House and installed a pink sandstone armorial panel within a molded granite frame dated MDCCLXX (1770) and proudly bearing the Skellater motto “Solus inter Plurimos.” In 1803, the estate of Skellater was bought by Sir Charles, 1st Baronet of Newe. In the latter half 19th century, the house was only occasionally occupied during the shooting season and for 70 years the building was used as a hay store. In 1975, the interior was gutted and then restored. The house was again updated between 2004 and 2005 with embellishments such as cornices, architraves, fireplaces, and a double-height vaulted kitchen that connected the front of the house with a utility room, office, bathroom and garage. In 2017, Skellater House, Skellater Cottage, and the 6.2 acre estate were sold to an American couple, formerly of Washington, D.C.

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

Monymusk Reliquary 

Portable reliquaries were carried into battle in the van of the Scottish army, since the relics they contained were believed to bring good fortune to the Scottish army.  This reliquary is thought to be the famous Brechbennoch which was borne before the army of Robert the Bruce at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, by its hereditary keeper, Sir John de Monymusk, who was killed there. It was brought to public attention again 600 years later, when it emerged from the Library at Monymusk House.  How it arrived there, or whether it had always been kept at Monymusk, is not known.  The reliquary is now preserved by the National Museums Scotland. 

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

2022 Clan Forbes Scotland Tour 

You don’t have to be a Forbes to enjoy the Clan Forbes Scotland Tour on August 22 to 27, 2022! This excursion will include some of the most popular sites in Scotland such as Craigievar Castle and Fyvie Castle – and you’ll get to meet Clan Chief Malcolm, 23rd Lord Forbes, Premier Lord of Scotland. The trip will end with the famous Lonach Highland Gathering and Games, home of the Lonach Highlanders. The entire six-day tour includes six nights accommodation, six breakfasts, two dinners, one lunch, one afternoon tea, Lonach Gathering picnic lunch, entrance fees, private reception at Druminnor Castle, private reception at Castle Forbes, private Glenlivet Distillery Tour & Tasting, and executive touring coach and driver for duration of the tour. The cost is £1764 per person double occupancy, with a £543 Single room occupancy supplement. 

Learn more here: https://www.clan-forbes.org/post/2022-clan-forbes-tour 

House of Forbes for Kids Now Online

All paid 2021 Active Members who have confirmed their mailing addresses in July should have already received a hard-copy version of House for Forbes for Kids, the new heritage activity book for children of all ages. This 84-page spiral-bound publication includes outlines for coloring, drawing activities, puzzles, and even the opportunity to start a family tree. Now all current Active Members can download a PDF version with back-up coloring / colouring outlines! Sign on with your website password at https://www.clan-forbes.org/members and click on the drop-down menu for "Library." If you are an Affiliate Member and wish to become a paid Active Member, please visit: https://www.clan-forbes.org/active-membership. 

Maine Highland Games 

The Clan Forbes Society was well represented at the Maine Highland Games in August! VP for Conveners Leslie Furbish recruited two new Active Members in the first half hour! 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!

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 August 2021:

• Ms. Margaret Forbes Tollefson, Texas, USA
• Mr. Robert Jackle, Maryland, USA
• Ms. Misha Hill Durmeier Webb, Arkansas, USA
• Mr. James Forbes, Alberta, Canada
• Ms. Patricia Furbush King, Massachusetts, USA
• Ms. Paula Jean Guttilla, Massachusetts, USA
• Ms. Stefanie Bailey, Maine, USA
• Ms. Eva Mitchell-Mathews, Oklahoma, USA
• Ms. Sheryl Karr Shaw, Texas, USA

Please welcome back our renewing Active Members for August 2021:

• Ms. Connie Harlow Branch

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. 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  . Please check the Clan Forbes Society website for the latest announcements: https://www.clan-forbes.org/games 

Scotland

Lonach Highland Gathering & Games

August 27, 2022; Bellabeg, Strathdon, Aberdeenshire

United States

Caledonian Club of San Francisco

September 4 & 5, 2021; Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton, California

Clan Forbes Convener: Valerie Edwards

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Virginia Scottish Games & Festival

September 4 & 5, 2021; Great Meadow, The Plains, Virginia

Clan Forbes Convener: Ron Pearson

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ScotFest Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival

September 10 - 12, 2021; Estes Park, Colorado

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Kelso Highlander Festival and Scottish Games

September 11th & 12th, 2021; Tam O'Shanter Park, Kelso, Washington

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Ormond Beach Celtic Festival

September 11th & 12th, 2021; Ormond Beach, Florida

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Iron Thistle Scottish Festival and Highland Games

September 11th & 12th, 2021; Mollie Spencer Farms, Yulon, Oklahoma

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Middle Tennessee Highland Games & Celtic Festival

September 11, 2021; Percy Warner Park, Nashville, Tennessee

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New Hampshire Highland Games & Festival

September 17 - 19, 2021; Loon Mountain Resort, Lincoln, New Hampshire

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Scotfest Oklahoma

September 17 - 19, 2021; Broken Arrow Event Complex, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

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North East South Dakota Celtic Faire & Games

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

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Fresno Highland Gathering and Games

September 18, 2021; Kearney Park, Fresno, California

Clan Forbes Convener: Valerie Edwards

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Ligonier Highland Games

September 18, 2021; Idlewild Park, Ligonier, Pennsylvania

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Maine Celtic Celebration

September 18, 2021; Belfast Commons, Belfast, Maine

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South East Alabama Highland Games

September 18, 2021; Daleville, Alabama

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Celtic Classic Highland Games & Festival

September 24 - 26, 2021; Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

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Dandridge Scots-Irish Festival

September 25, 2021; Dandridge, Tennessee

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Prescott Highland Games & Faire

September 25 - 26, 2021; Prescott, Arizona

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Sherman Celtic Festival & Highland Games

September 25 - 26, 2021; Pecan Grove West Park, Sherman, Texas

Clan Forbes Convener: Rick Forbes

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Swamp Fox Highland Games & Celtic Festival

September 25, 2021; Florence, South Carolina

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Ouachita Highland Games

September 25, 2021; Hot Springs, Arkansas

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Great Plains Renaissance Festival

September 25th & 26th, 2021; Sedgwick County park, Wichita, Kansas

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Harpers Ferry Highland Games

October 2, 2021; Harper's Ferry, West Virginia

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Scotland County Highland Games

October 2, 2021; North Carolina Rural Heritage Center, Laurinburg, North Carolina

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Aztec Highland Games & Celtic Festival

October 2 & 3, 2021; Riverside Park, Aztec, New Mexico

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McMinnville Scottish Festival

October 9 & 10, 2021; Yamhill County Fairgrounds, McMinnville, Oregon

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Arkansas Scottish Festival + Lyon College Homecoming

October 8 - 10, 2021; Batesville, Arkansas

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Scotland Connecticut Scottish Festival

October 10, 2021; Scotland, Connecticut

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Oklahoma Highland Gathering

October 15 - 17, 2021; Midwest City Regional Park, Midwest City, Oklahoma

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Stone Mountain Highland Games and Scottish Festival

October 15 - 17, 2021; Stone Mountain, Georgia

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CelticFest

October 23 & 24, 2021; Lakeshore Park, Brandon, Mississippi

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Tyler Scottish Festival & Highland Games

October 23, 2021; Tyler, Texas

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Tucson Celtic Festival And Scottish Highland Games

November 5 - 7, 2021; Rillito Raceway Park, Tucson, Arizona

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Austin Celtic Festival

November 6 & 7, 2021; Pioneer Farms, Austin, Texas

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

Clan Forbes Convener: Victor and Amy Ney

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Salado Scottish Gathering & Highland Games

November 12 - 14, 2021; Salado Museum and Park, Salado, Texas

Clan Forbes Convener: Rick Forbes

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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