Clan Forrester

The Forresters are an ancient and noble clan of the Scottish Lowlands.

The clan took their name from their ancient role as guardians of the royal forest. The Forresters had significant holdings in Lothian, and Stirlingshire. The clan does not currently have a chief and is therefore considered an armigerous clan.

The clan is likely related to the English Forrester´s of Etherstone and later Forster´s of Bamburgh, sharing the same bugle-horned arms.

The original caput of the clan is believed to have been Torwood Castle in Stirlingshire, as well as Corstorphine Castle on the outskirts of Edinburgh. Many clan chiefs and Lord's Forrester are interred in Corstorphine Church.

It is possible that the chiefs of Clan Forrester were of Celtic origin, descending from Marnin the Forrester who in about 1200 held lands in Dunipace, Stirlingshire. The chiefs may also have English origin through the Forresters of Adderstone.

The founder of the clan is generally regarded as Sir Adam Forrester, 1st of Corstorphine who was an ambassador, merchant, Provost of Edinburgh, Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland and Deputy Chamberlain of Scotland. In 1376 he acquired the estate of Corstorphine in Midlothian which is now part of Edinburgh. It was here that Corstorphine Castle (now demolished) stood as well as the Collegiate church of Corstorphine, which has the effigies of three of the Forrester chiefs.

Sir Adam Forrester's son, Sir John Forrester the elder, was also Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland and Chamberlain of Scotland. He was also Keeper of the Household to James I of Scotland. According to historian Alexander Mackenzie, a historic manuscript states that Gerse or Grace, sister of Sir John Forrester of Corstorphine, married Robert de Munro, 8th Baron of Foulis.

During the Wars of Scottish Independence Forresters fought at the Battle of Halidon Hill in 1333. They also fought at the Battle of Sauchieburn in the 15th century.