Perhaps my very favourite graveyard in Scotland is Greyfriar's Kirkyard in Edinburgh's old town. I am forever fascinated by the people who are interred there. Some remarkably notable figures from Scotland's history. One such gravestone belongs to Duncan Forbes of Culloden.
Duncan was born Nov. 10, 1685 in Culloden House near Inverness. He was the second son of Duncan Forbes and wife Mary Innes.
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Culloden House
Forbes trained in law and then entered the world of politics. He was instrumental in the Hanoverian cause in both the 1715 and 1745 risings.
Forbes was elected to Parliament in 1722. He became lord president of the Court of Session in 1737. There is a monument to him in Parliament Hall in Edinburgh
When Charles Edward Stuart came on the scene in 1745, Forbes, a staunch Hanoverian persuaded the chiefs of two powerful clans, the Macdonalds and the Macleods to take the field on the side of the King and not the side of the Jacobites. In fact, Forbes was the main representative of the government in northern Scotland.
Forbes was financially ruined by the Rising. His estate was badly damaged during the battle and he was never reimbursed for the money he had spent on behalf of the government.
Duncan Forbes of Culloden died on 10 December 1747. He is buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard, near the grave of his brother, John.
