Skene House

Skene is a name from the Northeast of Scotland.  Most who carry the name probably share a common ancestry, but the name may have passed in early days to others associated with Skene leaders or landlords.

“Skene”, often spelled in different ways, is the same word as “sgian”, the Gaelic word for a dagger or knife.  Similarities can be seen in the Arabic translation, “sikina”, and in the Hebrew translation, “sakeen”.  So, why is the family called “dagger”?  The place called Skene, still a parish today, probably carried the name before there were people “de skene” which means “of Skene”.

​​The legend for the origins of the Skene Family begins in the year 1010 AD when the Scots, led by King Malcolm II, defeated the Danes at the Battle of Mortlach. As he travelled south through the forest of the Stockton of Aberdeen, he was pursued by a wolf.  A son of the Laird of Struan, Struan Robertson of Athole, saw the wolf with his open mouth approaching the king. He wrapped his plaid about his left arm and thrust it into the wolf’s mouth. With his right hand, he drew his sgian and struck the wolf. Upon delivering the wolf’s head to King Malcolm, the king gave him the lands of Skene causing him to be called Skene of ilk. This story was taken from the 1887 manuscript, Memorials of the Family of Skene of Skene, written by William Forbes Skene.

Crest & Motto

Around 1217, the Skene family began construction of the central tower of the Skene Castle west of Aberdeen near the village of Lyne of Skene.  The tower was originally constructed as three arches or stories.  For security purposes, the entrance was located on the second level and was accessed with a ladder which could be pulled inside in case of an attack.  The walls were 10ft thick and the structure was covered by a mound of earth.  This structure is believed to have been the first stone and lime constructed building in the district called Mar.

In 1680, Jean Burnett, Lady Skene, began renovating the tower by adding roofing and flooring allowing the structure to become known as Skene House.  A south wing was added in 1745 and the entire house underwent another remodelling between 1847 and 1850.

Skene House was purchased by the Hamilton family in 1905.  Lady Hamilton passed away in 1985 and the trustees of her estate sold the house in 1995.  The current owner is Dr Nicolas Rennie.

 

The Skene crest depicts a right arm issuing from a shoulder emerging from a cloud, holding in the hand a triumphal crown.

In regards to heraldry symbols, the arm represents an industrious people, someone who believes in hard work.  The clouds represent mystery and the laurel crown represents glory and victory.

The motto “Virtutis Regia Merces” that is written on the crest translates to “A Palace the Reward of Bravery”.