History and traditions of the land of the Lindsays in Angus and Mearns

CARESTON — THE SKENE FAMILY. 229
estates of the Duke of Douglas — the title of Duke having merged
into that of Hamilton. He was created Baron Douglas in 1790,
however, was long Lord-Lieutenant of Forfarshire, and father
to the present Baron.
Careston again changed hands in 1720, and became, by pur-
chase, the property of Major Skene, a cadet of the old family of
that Ilk. This family enjoyed the estate of Skene from father
to son in nearly uninterrupted succession, for more than six
hundred years, down to the late period of 1828, when the last
direct male descendant died. The first who bore the surname
is said to have been a younger son of Donald of the Isles,
who, according to tradition, saved Malcolm II. from being torn
to pieces by an enraged wolf that chased him from the forest
of Kilblein in Marr to the bum of Broadtach, now within the
boundary of the town of Aberdeen. At this point, the wolf
came up with the King, and was just about to spring upon
him, when the gallant youth, " wrapping his plaid about his
left arm, and rushing in betwixt the king and the wolf, thrust
his left arm into the wolf's mouth, and drawing his skene — which
in the Gaelic language signifies a dirk or knife — struck it to the
wolf's heart, and then cut off its head and presented it to King
Malcolm."* For this meritorious service he had a large grant
of land in Aberdeenshire, including the parish of Skene, and took
his surname from the dirk or knife. This lucky instrument, it is
said, is still preserved among the family muniments.
This tradition, though strengthened, as are those of other
ancient families, by armorial insignia, is as incredible as it is
romantic. The first genuine notice of the race occurs in the
time of the disputed monarchy, during which, in 1290, " Jo-
hanes Skene " was an arbitrator between Bruce and Baliol ; and
in 1296, the same pei'son and " Patrik de Skene" (probably a
son, for they were both of Aberdeenshire), were among the
barons who swore fealty to Edward."}" So far from the whole
property of Skene having continued in the family from the time
of Malcolm, it appears, from a roll of missing charters by
Robert I., that he gave " Alexander Frazer of Cluny the lands
of Cardnye, with the fishing of the Loch of Skene, "J which had,
doubtless, formed part of the estate. At all events, " the great
• Baronage, p. 585. ■ t Ragman Rolls, p. 134. % Rohei ison's Index, p. 16.