Sutherland of Forse facts for kids
The Sutherlands of Forse were a noble family from Scotland. They were a smaller branch of the powerful Clan Sutherland. Their story is part of Scottish history, showing how families lived and fought long ago.
The first Laird of Forse was Kenneth Sutherland. He was the second son of William de Moravia, 5th Earl of Sutherland. This means the Sutherlands of Forse were related to the main Sutherland family, who were Earls.
The Sutherlands of Forse lived at Forse Castle for a long time. This castle was on the east coast of Caithness, a county in Scotland. They lived there until about 1660. Later, they built a new, bigger house called "Forse House" about a mile inland. This house was used by the Lairds of Forse until 1905. Today, Forse House is used as a hotel and a nursing home.
In the early 1500s, the main title of Earl of Sutherland went to the Gordon family. This happened because the previous Earl had only a daughter, and she married a Gordon. Later, in the late 1500s, the Sutherlands of Forse supported the Earl of Caithness. They were in a disagreement, called a feud, against the Gordon family. The Gordons had become the new Earls of Sutherland. During this feud, Nicolas Sutherland, who was the brother of the Laird of Forse, was killed. This happened at the Battle of Clynetradwell in 1590.
Much later, in 1745, there was a big rebellion in Scotland called the Jacobite rising of 1745. John Sutherland of Forse was a Captain in a special army group called Loudon's Highlanders during this time.
In 1766, the 18th Earl of Sutherland, William Gordon, passed away. George Sutherland of Forse then tried to claim the title of Earl of Sutherland for himself. He said he had a right to it because he was a descendant of William, the 5th Earl of Sutherland, who died in 1370. However, the House of Lords (a high court in Britain) decided against him. They ruled that Elizabeth, the only surviving daughter of the 18th Earl, should be the next Countess.
The last Sutherland Laird of Forse in the direct family line died in 1909. He had two daughters but no sons, which meant the direct male line of the family ended.
Lairds of Forse: Family Leaders
The Lairds of Forse were the main leaders of the family over many generations. Here is a list of some of them:
- Kenneth Sutherland, 1st Laird of Forse (son of William, 5th Earl of Sutherland who died in 1370).
- John Sutherland, 2nd of Forse.
- Richard Sutherland, 3rd of Forse.
- John Sutherland, 4th of Forse.
- Robert Sutherland (died before his father but had three sons).
- Richard Sutherland, 5th of Forse.
- William Sutherland, 6th of Forse. (died 1564) (younger brother of the 5th Laird)
- Alexander Sutherland 7th of Forse. (younger brother of the 6th Laird)
- Donald Sutherland, 8th of Forse.
- Alexander Sutherland, 9th of Forse. (died around 1645)
- James Sutherland, 10th of Forse. (died around 1655)
- George Sutherland, 11th of Forse.
- George Sutherland, 12th of Forse.
- John Sutherland, 13th of Forse. (Second son of the 12th Laird).
- George Sutherland, 14th of Forse. (died 1773)
- John Campbell Sutherland, 15th of Forse. (died 1828) (Younger brother of the 14th Laird).
- John Sutherland, 16th of Forse. (died 1846)
- George Sutherland, 17th of Forse. (Younger brother of the 16th Laird).
- John William Sutherland, 18th of Forse. (died 1909)
See also
- Sutherland of Killipheder
- Lord Duffus
