The 'Braes o' Forbes' were once entirely overrun with bears and therefore uninhabitable. Oconachar (the founder of the clan) slew the bears and claimed the land for his people.
First of all to explain why there are so many tartans, way over 2000 in fact. There are an awful lot of Scottish clans to start with and on top of this each clan can have many different tartans and names associated with it.
Over the last 300 years, tartans have been a part of official dress for some of the most famous regiments throughout the military world! Their respective regimental tartans became undisputedly tied to the very core identity of the soldiers who wear it. Explore the associated regiments below:
Each tartan can have multiple variations, the most common of which are Ancient, Modern, Weathered, Hunting and Dress
About tartan variations
Before 1860 fabrics were coloured using animal and vegetable dyes. This produced the softer colours typical of the Ancient tartans, mossy greens and sky blues, a more orangey red and some would say showing off the pattern to much greater effect as as the contrasts are much brighter than the Modern tartans. The pattern or sett remains the same across all variations of a single tartan, and only the shades or tones vary.
Post 1860 chemical dyes replaced the natural animal and vegetable dyes and the Modern Tartans were born with their stronger and bolder colours. The soft greens and blues become bottle green and navy blue, reds are scarlet.
Before 1860 fabrics were coloured using animal and vegetable dyes. This produced the softer colours typical of the Ancient tartans. Post 1860 chemical dyes replaced the natural animal and vegetable dyes and the Modern Tartans were born with their stronger and bolder colours. The soft greens and blues become bottle green and navy blue, reds are scarlet.
The Modern tartans are often the more subtle combinations such as the classic Black Watch Modern
Before 1860 fabrics were coloured using animal and vegetable dyes. This produced the softer, more earthy colours typical of the Weathered tartans, reminiscent of bolder colours subjected to wind, rain and sunshine producing beautiful faded tones, olive greens and browns, and very light blues with reds that are more pink than red.
Some mills refer to the Weathered tartans as Muted.
The Hunting Tartans are the camouflage tartans and some clans don't have these variations because they are already predominantly green or brown and don't need amendment to blend in with nature's colours. The Black Watch or Gunn tartans are examples of these, whereas a tartan such as the Fraser is predominantly red and would not provide much cover for men out hunting.
One thing to remember if you are ordering your tartan to match an existing kilt or accessory is that although the sett and colours are the same, there can be a slight difference in colour from one mill to the next. This is purely down to yarn dying so if you need an exact match we suggest you order a swatch to double check.
The Dress Tartans were designed as the name suggests for celebrations and highland dance. The sett or pattern of the tartan remains the same and the main colour is changed to white, or extra white is added to the pattern to give it a brighter, more "fancy" appearance. The Scots do like to bend the rules and occasionally instead of white thread, yellow is used and this is where the rather wild MacLeod Dress Modern and Barclay Dress Modern came from.
One thing to remember if you are ordering your tartan to match an existing kilt or accessory is that although the sett and colours are the same, there can be a slight difference in colour from one mill to the next. This is purely down to yarn dying so if you need an exact match we suggest you order a swatch to double check.
Available in 123 tartans
Available in 123 tartans
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Available in 123 tartans
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The Forbes Clan is associated with Aberdeenshire, in which there is actually an area called Forbes. Historians believe that the clan was named after the area in which they resided since the 13th century. The origins of the clan are historically thought to be Pictish, with the clansmen having supposedly descended from Pictish Kings. The Medieval founder of the clan is thought to be called Oconachar and the story goes that he was able to conquer Forbes by killing the ferocious bears that inhabited the lands, claiming Forbes for his people. Today, Clan Forbes still owns and inhabits these lands.
The clan also has connections to Inverness. During the 18th century, Duncan Forbes was the 5th Laird of Culloden House. While the lands of Aberdeenshire are home to many of the castles associated with this clan, Inverness was an integral territory to the history of Clan Forbes.
Malcolm Nigel Forbes is the 23rd Lord Forbes and the current Clan Chief. The title of Lord Forbes is considered the Premier Lord of Scotland as it is the oldest title in the country. Malcolm Forbes and his wife, Lady Forbes, live at Castle Forbes in Aberdeenshire, the official Clan seat.
The name is said to have come from the Irish Gaelic “Forbhasach”, which translates to “man of courage”. This is because of the documentation that shows that many families from what is now called Aberdeenshire named their sons Forbhasach. The first Forbes of that spelling was documented as such in 1271 and he was Duncan de Forbes.
In 1411, the lands where this castle lies was granted to Sir Alexander Forbes and the house called Putachie on these lands was in the hands of the Forbes Clan. After the original Castle Forbes was sold by the 16th Lord Forbes in the late 18th century, the clan seat moved to Putachie House, which was then called Castle Forbes. The first Castle Forbes is known today as Druminor Castle. By the early 19th century, the new structure had been built with the original house incorporated into it. The building was done in the Scottish baronial style and was designed by both Archibald Simpson and John Smith. Several years later, the 21st Lord Forbes took on modern updates with proper bathrooms and electricity. Into the 20th century, the castle was used as an Auxiliary Hospital during World War II. In the 21st century, it offers recreational activities like golf and fishing, and even houses a perfumery. It is still the Clan seat and is home to Malcolm Forbes, 23rd Lord Forbes, and Lady Forbes. Read about the other Castles of Clan Forbes on the Tartan Blog.
Today described as "one of the most attractive small country houses of its period in Scotland", Culloden House was renovated in 1770 influenced by architect Robert Adam and resulting in elegant Palladian construction, plasterwork and fireplaces to complement light and airy interiors. Prior to this the house was a fortress plundered by Viscount Dundee in 1688, encouraging one of the most famous Forbes of all, Duncan, 5th Laird of Culloden House, to resist joining the 1745 uprising.
The Forbes Clan crest features an impressive looking stag's head and their motto “Grace Me Guide”, which also means “it is God's grace that leads us”. This isn’t the only crest to bear a stag’s head, but you can often tell the difference between each stag's head crests by how many tines are on the antlers. For the Forbes crest, the stag has 10 tines - 5 on each antler.
The Forbes Clan plant badge is Broom. Scotch Broom is technically a shrub, but it has powerful medicinal properties. It is said that members of Clan Forbes would put their "bonny broom" into their bonnets as symbols of their ancient chieftains.
The Battle of Harlaw is one of the most important battles in the history of Clan Forbes because it was their part in this that won them the lands that remain in the possession of the clan today. Harlaw was fought between the barons of northeast and the barons of the west coast of Scotland for the Earldom of Ross. Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany went head to head with Donald, Lord of the Isles. When the Earl of Mar fought Donald with the help of Alexander Forbes, he helped the Duke of Albany claim Ross. Following Harlaw, the Earl of Mar presented Sir Alexander Forbes with the lands of which the original Putachie house sat. Today, this is Castle Forbes, which remains the clan seat.
In the earlier years of the clan during the 14th century, Lord Forbes (John Forbes, at that time), was granted a charter by the Bishop of Moray for the lands of Fynrossie on Loch Spynie. Spynie Palace, which is located close to the loch, had been the home of all of the Bishops of Moray since ancient times. Today, the loch is a protected Ramsar Site, making it an important Scottish wetland habitat.
The Church of St. John the Evangelist in Edinburgh is a significant part of the Forbes heritage. Sir William Forbes, 7th Baronet, and his brother John Hay Forbes were leaders in the funding and building of this historic church. The creation of the beautiful stained-glass windows of the magnificent building were also funded by members of the Forbes Clan.
In 1429, King James I of Scotland’s granting of a royal charter to Alexander Forbes meant that the Coat of Arms for Forbes could be created. The Coat of Arms is inherited by each Lord Forbes and can be used by him alone. The arms of Forbes features the stag’s head which is also found on the clan crest, as well as two dogs holding a banner with three horses.
This clan’s war cry is "Lonach", which is actually the name of a hill in Strathdon in Aberdeenshire. It is said that the cry was meant to signify the gathering of clansmen to Lonach Hill, the highest point in the area. This area is home to many traditional Scottish societies and activities, including the Lonach Highland Gathering, which is organised by the Lonach Highland and Friendly Society, Established in 1823, by Sir Charles Forbes.
Bertie Charles Forbes is arguably one of the most famous members of the Forbes Clan, at least in the last 100 years or so. Bertie is best known for founding the world famous magazine Forbes, which reports on the biggest business, investments and entrepreneurship news. Prior to this Bertie worked as a reporter and editorial writer for a newspaper local to his University town of St. Andrews before emigrating to New York City at the age of 24. Learn more about the other famous faces of clan Forbes on the Tartan Blog.
There are 4 tartan variants available for the Forbes Clan, from Modern and Ancient to Dress and Weathered, with gorgeous green and blue hues, the Clan is truly spoilt for choice. But which is your favourite Forbes Clan Tartan? Vote now!
Join Monja and Kalyn as they explore the exciting history of Clan Forbes. The Clan originates from the area of Forbes in Aberdeenshire, which is where the Clan take their name. However, there are a few different theories regarding the origins, these stories alongside the clan's tartans, seats and societies are all explored as part of our Clan of the Month celebration.
How much do you think you know about Clan Forbes? Enough to get all 12 questions correct? Test your Forbes Clan Knowledge now!
Every month we celebrate a different Scottish Clan and this month it is all about Clan Forbes. Join Monja as we explore Clan Forbes in a minute... learn how to spot a member of the clan and all about their history.
The Clan Forbes Society is a distinguished cultural and educational organization that provides those of Forbes descent with a connection to the wider Forbes community. The society assists with genealogical and historical research and is dedicated to promoting Scottish heritage through education and charity. You'll find the society present at many Highland Games and other Scottish festivals throughout the year in both the USA and Canada.
Visit the society's website to learn more about membership opportunities and to take advantage of the incredible resources they have available to those seeking more knowledge about Clan Forbes.
Clan Motto: Grace Me Guide.