Duncan Forbes of Culloden (politician, born 1644)

[5] In this period, lack of suitable legal training at home meant Scots seeking to practice law often studied at Bourges, Paris or Orléans.

[5] Forbes represented Nairnshire in the Scottish convention held from June to July 1678; 'Conventions' were identical to the Parliament of Scotland in composition but only discussed specific issues, in this case approving taxes.

[7] In 1673, it became public that James, then Duke of York, had converted to Catholicism; as heir to his brother Charles II, this caused great concern and led to the 1679 to 1681 Exclusion Crisis in England.

After James was deposed in the 1688 Glorious Revolution, Forbes was elected Commissioner for Invernessshire in the April Convention of Estates, held to settle the Scottish throne.

Of the 125 delegates elected, 75 were classed as Presbyterian, 50 as Episcopalian, making the Convention a contest over control of the Church of Scotland, as well as the limits of Royal authority.