Forbes Modern
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- Mill: Str
- Weight: 11 oz.
- Clan Motto: Grace, Me Guide
- Known Septs Include: BANNERMAN, BERRIE, BERRY, BOYCE, BOYES, FORBUSH, FORDYCE, LUMSDEN, MACOUAT, MACOUATTIE, MACOWAT, MACWATT, MECHIE, MEKIE, MELDRUM, MICHIE, MIDDLETON, WALTER, WALTERS, WATERS, WATSON, WATT, WATTERS, WATTIE, WATTS
- Notes:
The earliest confirmed date for this version of Forbes is from Wilsons of Bannockburn letters, 1827. It was said to have been designed by a Miss Forbes in 1822 for the Forbes family of Pitsligo but earlier records would appear to discount this story. It appeared in Wilson's pattern book of 1819, in Grant No: 15 and in William and Andrew Smith's 1850 "Authenticated Tartans of the Clans and Families of Scotland" where they wrote: "The correctness of the Forbes Tartan here given, seems to be, in the opinion of the Trade, a matter beyond the slightest doubt: it was once worn by the 74th regiment, but that corps now wear the Lamont." The Lamont is the same as the Forbes but minus the black guards on the white.
Today's Forbes is also worn by the Liverpool Scottish. The Liverpool Scottish was formed as an infantry battalion in 1900 in response to the crisis of the Boer War. The first Commanding Officer was Colonel C. Forbes Bell V.D. The Forbes tartan kilt was adopted by the regiment and the Highland full dress uniform featured a khaki tunic with scarlet collar and facings together with a feather bonnet or glengarry and tartan plaid.