Lords Forbes of Pitsligo (1633)
1st Lord Forbes, Alexander Forbes, b.?, a.1633, d.1635-1636
Sir William Forbes of Kinaldie, 1st Laird of Pitsligo (b.?,
d.1445-1446) was the younger brother of Alexander Forbes, 1st Lord Forbes. His descendant, 8 generations down, Alexander
Forbes was the son of the 9th Laird, John Forbes (b.?, d.1625) and
Christian Ogilvy, daughter of Walter Ogilvy, 1st Lord Ogilvy of
Deskford (for whom see the earls of Findlater).
Pitsligo lies on the north coast of Buchan above Rosehearty Bay.
2nd Lord Forbes, Alexander Forbes, b.?, a.1635-1636, d.1690
Son of the 1st Lord and Lady Jean Keith, daughter of William
Keith, 6th Earl Marischal.
3rd Lord Forbes, Alexander Forbes, b.c.1655, a.1690, d.1690
Son of the 2nd Lord and Lady Mary Erskine, daughter of James
Erskine, 6th Earl of Buchan.
4th Lord Forbes, Alexander Forbes, b.c.1678, a.1690, d.1762
Son of the 3rd Lord and Sophia Erskine (b.?, d.1734),
daughter of John Erskine, 4th Earl of Mar. He
lived in France as a youth, before returning to take his seat in Parliament. He
opposed the Union but took little active part in the debate. As a Jacobite he
took part in the Rebellion of 1715, and although he escaped attainder, he moved
to the continent for a few years. He returned in 1720 and studied literature at
his home in Pitsligo Castle. Despite his age, he joined Prince Charles in
Edinburgh during the Jacobite Uprising of 1745 and was given command of a
regiment of horse. After Culloden he remained fugitive for several years,
occasionally visiting his wife in disguise, since Pitsligo Castle had been
untouched by the royal troops. He was finally declared forfeit in 1748, though
this did little to change his habits, and he continued to live nearby until all
real efforts to find him had passed. In 1758 the estate was purchased by his
son John Forbes, Master of Forbes (b.c.1713, d.1781) and then sold on and the
castle was eventually dismantled. Alexander died in relative peace soon after.
His son had no children, though there are several branches of the extended
family who still have claim on the forfeited title.
(Last updated: 24/03/2010)