THE CLAN FORBES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22393, 14 April 1936, Page 13

THE CLAN FORBES

Sir, —I noticed a report of part of the speech of Mr. D McDougall, Independent member of Parliament for Mataura, in which he caustically commented on the Clan Forbes of Scotland. I am a chieftain of a Highland clan, and although in no way connected with the Clan Forbes, T resent his statement about a Scottish clan that is totally wrong. Mr. McDougall said in his speech that "a clan called Forbes had been driven out of Scotland." That is absolutely false, and shows, to anyone who knows, that Mr. McDougall's knowledge of the Scottish clans is a minus quantity.The Clan Forbes have always been an honoured clan, as historians have proved. Mr. McDougall spoke like a blustering and spiteful schoolboy in an attempt to ridicule a person bearing the name of Forbes. For the benefit of readers, I may state that the clan took its name from the Aberdeenshire parish of Forbes and are of common descent with tho Mackays of Sutherlandshire. and are known as Clann Mhorguinn (Clan Morgan). John of Forbes, the first on record, received a charter from Alexander, Earl of Buchan, in 1236. The clan were prominent in the defence of Castle TTrquhart against Edward I. They fought with honour at the Battle of Bannockburn d.'il4) and they were out in 1715, and also for their Prince in '45. The chief of the clan was raised to the peerage by James I. as Baron Forbes. The chief in 1884 succeeded his kinswoman as Lord Semphill. The late Mr. C. S. Bomanes and the late Dr. Skeene, both recognised authoritias on the Scottish clans, regarded the Forbes elan as one of the most trustworthy and loyal of the smaller clans. I do not know if Mr. McDougall is a pure Highlander or not. I am inclined to think not, else he would firstly spell his name correctly, and. secondly, he would not maliciously belittle a clan who have proved their worth to their country as the Forbes have. Tf.ari.ach Daibdh.