Alexander Forbes, 4th Lord Forbes of Pitsligo

In early manhood, he travelled in France, made the acquaintance of Fénelon, and was introduced by him to Madame Guyon and other quietists.

He was strongly opposed to the Act of Union, and on the oath of abjuration being extended to Scotland, ceased to attend Parliament.

In 1720 he returned to Scotland, taking up residence mainly at Pitsligo, where he continued a correspondence with the quietists, and engaged in a kind of transcendental devotion.

He raised a regiment of cavalry, numbering about a hundred, and composed chiefly of Aberdeenshire gentlemen and their tenants.

The Countess of Erroll conveyed messages to him using the services of Jamie Fleeman, the Laird of Udny's fool.