Forbes
Forbes Tartan Collection
Celebrate a great clan of the north-east with the Forbes collection — the premier family of Aberdeenshire, lords of the Don and builders of a hundred castles, under the faithful motto Grace Me Guide.
- Featured
- Most relevant
- Best selling
- Alphabetically, A-Z
- Alphabetically, Z-A
- Price, low to high
- Price, high to low
- Date, old to new
- Date, new to old
About the Forbes Tartan
Clan Forbes is one of the great clans of the north-east of Scotland, taking its name from the Braes of Forbes in Aberdeenshire, from the Gaelic forba, "a field or district." By tradition the founder, Ochonochar, slew a great bear and won the land; in history the family held their lands by charter of Alexander III in 1271. A clan with its own chief, the premier Lord of Scotland, the Forbeses have their own distinctive tartan.
Whether you bear the Forbes name, descend from Aberdeenshire, or simply admire a clan of soldiers, judges and castle-builders, this collection brings the Forbes tartan into wearable apparel, everyday accessories, home decor and meaningful heritage gifts.
Forbes Tartan Pattern & Colours
The Forbes tartan is a handsome sett of deep green and blue crossed with black and lifted by fine lines of white — cool, dignified colours that recall the wooded braes and the great hill of Bennachie above the River Don, where the clan raised its many castles.
Who Is This Collection For?
The Forbes tartan collection is a meaningful choice for the Forbes family and its many branches, descendants of Aberdeenshire, those with Pitsligo, Craigievar or Culloden connections, and anyone drawn to a great clan of the north-east.
- Forbes family & branches
- Aberdeenshire roots
- Craigievar & Pitsligo branches
- Clan gatherings
- Birthday & Christmas gifts
- Everyday tartan style
Forbes Clan Heritage
In the late 13th century Alexander de Forbes was a fierce opponent of Edward I and died defending Urquhart Castle, and his son fell for David II at Dupplin in 1332. From Sir John de Forbes sprang the many branches of the clan — Craigievar, Pitsligo, Culloden, Monymusk and more. His son Alexander fought Donald of the Isles at Harlaw in 1411, married a granddaughter of Robert II, and was created the 1st Lord Forbes. At their height the family held more than a hundred and fifty castles and estates.
For generations the Forbeses, staunch Protestants, waged a long and bloody feud with their Catholic neighbours the Gordons, a vendetta so fierce it took two Acts of Parliament to quell. Duncan Forbes of Culloden, Lord President of the Court of Session, opposed the Jacobite rising of 1745 yet worked to soften the cruel reprisals that followed. The clan built the beautiful pink tower of Craigievar Castle. The crest is a stag's head, the badge broom, and the motto Grace Me Guide.
Forbes Tartan FAQ
Quick answers about the Forbes tartan, who can wear it, and why Forbes products make meaningful Scottish heritage gifts.
What is the Forbes tartan?
It is the clan tartan of Clan Forbes, a deep green and blue sett with black and white — cool colours recalling the braes of Aberdeenshire.
Who can wear the Forbes tartan?
Anyone can wear it. It is especially meaningful for those of the Forbes name and its branches, and for anyone with Aberdeenshire ancestry.
Where does the Forbes name come from?
From the Braes of Forbes in Aberdeenshire, from the Gaelic forba, "a field or district."
Who was Duncan Forbes of Culloden?
A Forbes chief's kinsman and Lord President of the Court of Session, who opposed the 1745 rising but worked to ease the harsh treatment of the Highlands afterwards.
Who is the chief of Clan Forbes?
The chief is the Lord Forbes, the premier Lord of Scotland, whose seat is Castle Forbes in Aberdeenshire.
Is Forbes tartan a good gift?
Yes. Forbes products make thoughtful gifts for family members, clan gatherings, birthdays, Christmas and Scottish heritage celebrations.
Celebrate Your Forbes Heritage in Style
Discover Forbes tartan apparel, accessories and meaningful Scottish-inspired gifts that honour Aberdeenshire, Craigievar Castle and the faithful motto Grace Me Guide.
View Forbes Tartan Products