B.R. Forbes is a historian and storyteller committed to illuminating Scotland's rich, intricate past and the people who shaped it.
The epic tale of a small Gaelic Clan that helped shape a nation.
Meticulously researched and vividly told, Forbes: A Story of Scotland follows the clan's entanglements with the Stewarts and Stuarts, the Red and Black Douglases, the Setons and Gordons, Leslies, Lindsays, MacDonalds, MacLeods, and the other great houses of Scotland. Through the triumphs, tragedies, and bold decisions of the Forbeses, readers witness the Wars of Independence, the turmoil of the Reformation, the rise and fall of the Stuart monarchs, and the charged atmosphere of rebellion and union. Drawing on meticulous research, Forbes: A Story of Scotland blends political history with gripping storytelling, replacing romantic myth with human complexity.
What the Professional Reviewers say:
Lucas North, Reedsy Discovery: "The integration of Forbes history with broader Scottish history is especially well done, keeping the narrative focused and adding clarity and humanity to the larger events described. As I read, I felt like I was moving steadily through Scottish history with Clan Forbes as the guide."
Carine Engelbrecht, Readers' Favorite: "At times the narrative reads like a real-life Game of Thrones, minus the dragons, of course, and grounded in historical records... The book is a must for history geeks and a great read for anyone interested in the history of Scotland."
What the Readers say:
"A revelation!"
"Hard to put down!"
"Well written and easy to understand"
"Comprehensive and fascinating"
Now available on Amazon and other booksellers worldwide.
The enduring saga of a clan revealed through castles and great houses that rose, endured, and left their mark on Scotland.
Forbes: A Story in Stone reveals how seven centuries of Scottish history were written not only in chronicles and charters, but in castles, tower houses, and country estates. From medieval strongholds built for defense to elegant country houses that proclaimed wealth and influence, each Forbes residence reflects the family's changing fortunes and Scotland's evolving political landscape. B.R. Forbes combines rigorous scholarship with engaging storytelling to uncover the people behind the stone walls. More than one hundred full-color photographs showcase iconic landmarks including Castle Forbes, Druminnor, Craigievar, Corgarff, Tolquhon, Pitsligo, Fyvie, and many lesser-known treasures. Whether you are fascinated by Scottish castles, architecture, genealogy, or Clan Forbes itself, Forbes: A Story in Stone offers a richly illustrated journey through the landscapes, homes, and history of one of Scotland's most influential families—a story that still stands, carved in stone.
Book features over 100 full color illustrations!
Now available on Amazon and other booksellers worldwide.
Clan Forbes: Official Guide is a comprehensive, authoritative guide that brings together our origins, our cadet branches, our castles and estates, our notable figures, and the traditions that continue to bind us as a global community. Several unofficial "clan guides" and commercial booklets circulate online and at events, often produced without consultation, verification, or involvement from the Clan Forbes Society. This publication is the only guide developed, reviewed, and endorsed by the Clan Forbes Society, which receives all net proceeds from the sale of this book. In these pages, you will encounter the landscapes that shaped our ancestors, the leaders who guided our clan through turbulent centuries, the traditions that continue to define us, and the global diaspora that carries the Forbes name into the future. Whether you are a lifelong member, a newly discovered descendant, or simply a friend of the clan, we hope this guide deepens your connection to our shared heritage.
Now available on Amazon.
B. R. Forbes—known as Bart—is a historian and storyteller committed to uncovering the documented history behind Scotland's clans and the families who shaped them.
For over a decade, his research has traced Clan Forbes's fortunes across centuries of Scottish upheaval and followed its diaspora across five continents — always grounded in primary sources rather than romanticized legend. A member of his family's heritage society since 1987, he has served as its president since 2018, a role that has placed him in direct, ongoing contact with the family's own historians and chiefs, gathering oral tradition and testimony to weigh alongside charters, letters, and archival records.
For six years, Forbes served as Communications Chairman of the Council of Scottish Clans and Associations (COSCA), the trade association for Scottish heritage societies in the United States. He regularly corresponded with societies, surveyed their needs, and reported on their activities. In 2014, he served as a credentialed observer for the Scottish Independence Referendum.
He retired from the federal government in 2020 and resides with his husband Antonio Uribe Jr. in Surfside Beach, Texas.
B.R. Forbes is available for speaking engagements, interviews, video conferences, and podcasts regarding his publications, Clan Forbes, and Scottish heritage societies.
For inquiries, please use the contact form or email directly.
bart@bforbes.com