Skene of Skene is an Aberdeenshire family, who resided in a parish of the same name, about twelve miles distant from the capital of the country where Gaelic is no longer the native language, but the circumstance of its having ceased to be the mother tongue of a chief or part of this clan, is no bar to their claim of Highland descent. Gaelic, at no very distant period, was the prevailing speech of all who lived beyond the Grampian Mountains, and the Parliamentary line of demarcation, which was drawn on occasion of passing the Act, prohibiting the use of the Highland dress, passed from the north side of Lochlomond, by the north side of the Forth, near Stirling, and comprehended the hill part of the country of Kincardine, the whole of Aberdeenshire, etc.; all that division of Scotland being accounted the native residence of the Highlanders.
The Skenes have another claim to Highland origin--a current tradition being that they are descendants of Clan Doncha’ or Robertsons of Athol. William Forbes Skene, Esq., F.S.A., etc., etc. furnished several corroborative proofs of this descent. A second son of the chief of the Robertsons having crossed the mountain ridge, which separates Athol from Mar, passed down Strathee, and ultimately settled in the district in which the family so long resided. The leader of this branch of the clan was designated Doncha’, or Duncan mor na Sgine and was believed, with much probability, to have been contemporary with the first Lowland Earl of Athol, whose succession to this property was likely to induce the discontented portion of the highland clan to leave their original seat. The "Baronage," is to be observed, deduces the Robertsons from a younger son of Donald of the Isles, but on what authority does not well appear.
Skene seems to have long existed as a territorial appellation; hence the prefix de, applicable to place, le being always personal. John le Skene, who signs Ragman's Roll in 1296 was probably the son of Duncan, whose son Patrick, signed the same document, eand his grandson Robert got a charter of the lands of Skene from Robert the Bruce. The origin of this ancient family is thus more satisfactory proved than by the admission of legends that savour of old women's tales,--the story, so often repeated, of some person rescuing one of the Scottish monarchs from a ferocious wolf, by slaying it with his sgian, dirk, or knife, is the popular traditional origin of the name, and the hero is said to have lived in the time of Malcom II, or about 1014. He would, therefore, be the first recorded in the family history. Although John le Skene and his son Patrick signed the bond of submission to King Edward I of England in 1296, on the accession of Bruce to the Scottish crown, he granted a charter, "Roberto Skene dilecto et fideli nostro, pro homagio et servito suo, omnes et singulos terras de Skene, et lacum ejusdem, per omnes rectas antiquas metas et divisas suas," etc., dated 1318. Adam de Skene went with his followers to oppose Donald of the Isles, in his alarming advance from the north, and was slain at the battle of Harlaw in 1411. He had raised money for this service by mortgage on his estates, which proved a source of great trouble to his successors. Alexander joined the army of James IV and fell with that chivalrous monarch in the disastrous battle of Flodden Field in 1513, and Alexander, his grandson, was likewise slain at the battle of Pinkey in 1547. The laird of Skene joined Huntly in his attempt to get Queen Mary out of the Earl of Moray's keeping, and lost his youngest son and several kinsmen in the consequent battle of Corrichie in 1562. Others of the family have distinguished themselves in military service, both in Scotland and aboard.
The ancient family of Skene of Skene last terminated in George Skene who was the twentv-first chief and died without issue in 1824 when the possessions, which had been much increased by intermarriage and purchase, reverted to the Earl of Fife, whose father had married Mary, a sister of George Skene.
Several families of respectability are descended of the house of Skene of Skene, of whom may be mentioned are those of Cariston, Curriehill, Dyas, Dyce, Hall, and Hallyard are commonly referred as being septs of Clan Skene of Skene. The castle of Skene is believed to have been the first stone and lime building in that district of the country called Mar. It consisted of a square keep of three stories, and entrance was gained by a ladder placed against the second floor.
The Armorial Bearings are gules, three sgians or daggers, palewise, in fess, argent, hilted and pommeled, or on the points of which, as many wolves' heads of the third. Crest, a dexter arm from the shoulder issuing out of a cloud, and holding forth a triumphal crown or garland of leaves, proper. Supporters, on the dexter a Highlander in his proper garb, holding in his hand a sgian, and on the sinister a Highlander in more simple habit, this target on the left arm, and his dorlach [wallet or haversack], by his side, all proper. Motto--"Virtutis Regia Merces" which translated means A Palace the Reward of Bravery.
The symbolism with the Coat of Arms is as follows:
For further reading refer to: Memorials of the Family of Skene of Skene, From The Family Papers With Other Illustrative- Documents, edited by William Forbes Skene, D.C.L., LL.D, Her Majesty's Historiographer For Scotland.
Reproductions of this book can be purchased from UNICORN LIMITED, INC., P.O. Box 397, Bruceton Mills, WV 26525. Write for price.
Original copies of this book (only 525 were printed), printed on hand made paper, can be purchased from SCOT BOOKS, 102 Orchard Lane, Winters, CA 95694. Price in December 1984 was $115.00.
Hame