The well-known local farming family of Forbes, originated from the Strathairn area. A Donald Forbes, occupation given as a farmer is recorded in 1841 census at Lon Fhraoich (Lynrioch) in the Daviot and Dunlichity parish, about two miles up the Garbole road between Strathnairn and Strathdearn. Donalds father was a John Forbes who was a miller in Aberarder. By the 1851 census Donald’s son John, had taken over the farm of 60 acres and working it as a sheep farm. The family were still there 10 years later in 1861 census, but by the 1871 census we find John at Milton of Farr as a farmer of 80 acres along with his son Alexander (Sandy). By 1891 census the family had moved to Clune Farm in the Dores parish.
One remarkable story is Alexander at that time used to winter the Hogs (young sheep) near Forres, Morayshire, so they had to walk the sheep there and back each year. The 1901 census found Alexander now farming at Achnabatt in the parish of Dores. Alexander married a Margaret Fraser in Inverness in 1905. Just shortly after getting married Alexander took over the tenancy of Foyers Mains farm in 1907 and a couple of years later took over the vacant tenancy of Glenlia & Dalbreck farm. Alexander and Margaret had two of a family John (Jock) and Margaret.
Within the village of Foyers, the Forbes farm would have supplied milk, dairy products, meat and vegetables to the local shops and residents. In 1910, Alexander had in his possession a live adult Golden Eagle. He was visited by local policeman and was informed it was an offence under the wild bird act, to have the eagle and to set it free. The bird was set free the next day, which was observed by the local policeman. After the First World War, Alexander had to give up the tenancy of Glenlia & Dalbreck farm due to government legislation.
Alexander died in 1929 and his son Jock then took over the farm, continuing to run Foyers Mains along similar lines. In 1936, Jock married Elizabeth Macfarlane at Inverness and they had five of a family, the twins Margaret and Elizabeth, Alister, Donald and Murray. Jock took over the lease of other farms in the area, including the glebe at Drumtemple in 1933.
Alongside his deliveries for farm produce, Jock was also an agent for the Prudential Insurance Company. Jock was so successful in selling insurance policies, that one year he received the Scottish award of best sales from the Prudential.
Following Jock’s death in 1980, Donald continued the family line running Foyers Mains farm. Donald married Sandra Stewart in 1969 at Inverness and had two of a family Stephen and Nicola. By the early eighties Donald diversified from mainstream farming with the firm Foyers Services, selling farm gates, animal feed hardware and other agriculture fitting, bottled gas and vegetables.
It was around about the late eighties early nineties, that the property company Ashdale which had taken over the previous Foyers Estate lands ect that were owned by the British Aluminium company, decided to sell all their assets in the district. The Forbes family took advantage of this and were able to buy Foyers Mains farm they had tenanted since 1907.
In 2013 The Forbes family further diversified, when they opened a campsite, Loch Ness Shores in Lower Foyers.
Jock Forbes and friends. Here is a young Jock on the right along with three others, unknown, beside a typical blacksmith made gate. Photo taken probably in the thirties . Photograph courtesy of Donald Forbes .
Jock Forbes and friends. Here we see a young Jock sitting on a dead deer, which he managed to catch with his hands. Along with a couple of friends possibly relations, photo taken possibly the nineteen thirties. Photograph courtesy of Donald Forbes.
Ploughing at Rosebank, Foyers Mains, with horses, possible before the start of WW2 c1939. Photograph courtesy of Donald Forbes.
Foyers Mains Milk Cart. Foyers Mains was one of the farms that supplied Foyers with milk, along with the Glenlia and Boleskine farms. The picture shows the horse drawn milk cart that used to go round Foyers, with the milk stored in a tank on the cart. The milk was dispersed from a tap on the rear of cart into a measuring jug, then put into the receptacle provided by the buyer. Photograph courtesy of Donald Forbes.
Jock Forbes with horse. Photo taken round the thirties, shows Jock with horse outside Foyers Mains house. Photograph courtesy of Donald Forbes.
Taken at Foyers Factory Field. L-R Jock Ross, Jock Forbes, A Macleod (Kil), probably around 1933. All three were members of the successful Foyers Tug of War team are dressed in attire they had in the official team photo of that year (see Sports and Pastime gallery). Photograph courtesy of Donald Forbes.
Glebe Farm late thirties . Polly Fraser and her sister Kate with foal at Glebe Steadings ,Gorthleck . Photograph courtesy of Donald Forbes.
Foyers Mains Milk Cart. Here we see the milk cart at Elmbank Foyers, probable dated about the late forties early fifties. The man with the cart is John Reid (Rusty). Photograph courtesy of Donald Forbes.
Men on the Factory field. This picture is in the form of a post card showing four men and children at an event on the Factory Field. Note the structure on the LHS possibly something to do with rifle shooting. NB great similarities with a photo from David Maclennan.
Foyer Masons. local Foyers masons at a function in Inverness
Back L-R 1 , 2 , 3 Jock Forbes ,4 Jack Hipkins , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 . Seated L-R 1 , 2 , 3 ,4 , 5 , 6 . Photograph courtesy of Donald Forbes.
Masons or Farmers Function at Station Hotel
Donald Peterkin .
Photograph courtesy of Donald Forbes.
Forbes children with farm horse. With ?? holding the reigns and Margaret, Elizabeth & Alister on the back of the horse. Photograph courtesy of Donald Forbes.
Foyers School Girl Pupils .
Back L-R 1 Nan Gorden, 2 Josephene Macdonel , 3 Ann Cameron ,4 Miss Milroy , 5 Christeen Cameron Inverfarigiag , 6 Flo Macgruer, 7 Ann Maclaren. Middle L-R 1 unknown , 2 unknown , 3 Cathy Williams, 4 unknown , 5 unknown , 6 unknown . Front L-R 1 Jill Ross, 2 Francis Macdonald , 3 Doreen Maclaren ,4 Isme Macphee, 5 Margaret Forbes , 6 Elizibeth Forbes ( Biddy). Photograph courtesy of Donald Forbes.
Jock Forbes with sons, Donald and Alaister at Foyers Mains c1959. Photograph courtesy of Donald Forbes.
Lower Foyers Bridge, built 1862, during the time of ownership of the Foyers Estate by Fountain Walker an Edinburgh businessman. Showing the carriage way with sign limiting weigh of vehicles to 20 tons . C 1950
Photograph courtesy of Donald Forbes.
Lower Foyers Bridge.
Showing damage to bridge
Photograph courtesy of Donald Forbes.
Lower Foyers Bridge.
Photograph courtesy of Donald Forbes.
Arial view of Foyers Mains house and steadings c1980 . Photograph courtesy of Donald Forbes.
Pheasant rearing coup at Foyers Mains . Picture drawn in 1962 by Bill Naylor husband of Charissa daughter of Archie Macfarlane, gamekeeper Foyers & Stronelairg . Photograph courtesy of Murry Forbes
Foyers Mains. Foyers Mains farm buildings including pheasant rearing coup (the nearest building) around c2000. Photograph courtesy of Donald Forbes.