The Forbeses are Celtic and have held the duthus of Forbes from the time whenO'Conochar "killed the bear" which had made the Braes of Forbes uninhabitable.John of Forbes, first of the name, figured in the reign of King William theLion (1143-1214) when the duthus of Forbes was feudalized. In 1303 AlexanderForbes defended Urquhart Castle against King Edward I of England and was slainwith the garrison.

In 1442 Alexander Forbes of Forbes was made Lord Forbes. John the 6th Lord, wasa favorite of King James V. The 10th Lord, Alexander, was a General under thegreat 17th century Swedish King Gustavus Adolphus.

The family is still represented by Lord Forbes, whose seat is Castle Forbes onDonside.

The Lords Pitsligo are descendents of William, a son of Sir John Forbes ofForbes, who lived in the reign of the 14th century King Robert II. The 4th Lordhad his lands seized by the government after the Battle of Culloden in 1746.

The baronets of Craigievar spring from Patrick Forbes of Corse, armor bearerto King James III. Sir William Forbes, 8th Baronet of Craigievar, succeededas Lord Semphill in 1884. Their seat is the tall, romantic castle of Craigievar.

The Lairds of Culloden are descended from the Forbeses of Tolquhoun who date from1420. Sir Alexander Forbes of Tolquhoun saved the life of King Charles II atthe Battle of Worcester in 1651.