Merchant and Provost of Aberdeen. Skene's father died when he was just twelve and his brother took him to Danzig (Poland) where he became an apprentice to another Aberdonian merchant George Aedie. Skene went on to make his fortune in Baltic trade. In 1665, he returned to Aberdeen and purchased Wester Fintray, to the northwest of the city, in 1666. In 1669, he purchased the town-house which still bears his name, Provost Skene's House in Guestrow, Aberdeen, and is today a museum. He acquired Rubislaw House and estate in 1687.
Skene acted as Provost of Aberdeen between 1676 and 1685. He was knighted in Edinburgh by the Duke of York (later King James VII) in 1681.
Skene never married, instead supporting his brother's children after his brother died. However, his nephews disappointed him, so he disinherited them and instead left his wealth and property to his niece's son (Regent George Skene; 1666 - 1708) and the family of his former employer.
He is buried in St. Nicholas' kirkyard, Aberdeen.
