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Welcome to the Official Website of Castle Forbes

 

A TRADITIONAL HIGHLAND ESTATE DIVERSIFIES…

 

The Castle Forbes Estate in Aberdeenshire is the seat of the Chief of the Forbes Clan. The lands were granted to Sir Alexander Forbes (later the 1st Lord Forbes) in 1411 for his part in the defeat of Donald of the Isles at the battle of Harlaw.

 

Castle Forbes occupies a commanding position in parkland at the heart of the estate overlooking the river Don and the Howe of Alford with the hill of Bennachie behind. Lord and Lady Forbes are always happy to show members of the clan round the principal rooms of the castle by prior appointment with the Estate Office.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The present Castle Forbes was built in 1815 by James Ochoncar, the 17th Lord Forbes, on the site of an earlier family home. It is now occupied by his great-great-great grandson Malcolm, the 23rd Lord Forbes and his wife Jinny, Lady Forbes. As well as being the current Clan Chief, Malcolm is the Premier Lord of Scotland.

 

Fishing on the picturesque Castle Forbes water of the river Don is available from the middle of February until the end of October and can be booked by the day or the week through the Estate Office (telephone 019755 62524).

 

Activities on Castle Forbes Estate, in addition to the traditional farming, forestry and fishing enterprises, now include a beautiful natural burial ground and a perfumery business.

 

A stone circle dating from 3000BC is a feature of the natural burial ground where plots in a variety of peaceful groves can be pre-booked or selected by relatives at the time of a death. For further information on the Cothiemuir Hill Natural Burial Ground please go to www.aberdeennaturalburials.co.uk or telephone 08454 500 65.

 

Jinny’s love of scents led to the former dairy building behind the castle being converted into a perfumery and, with the help of family friend Andrew French, a range of exclusive fragrances bearing the Castle Forbes name was developed and marketed in selected outlets in Europe and the US: the Castle Forbes line of shaving products for men is now recognised as a brand-leader worldwide.

 

The 6,000-acre Castle Forbes Estate in Aberdeenshire is the seat of the Chief of the Forbes clan

CASTLE FORBES

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