James Scott Skinner, known as “the Strathspey King”, was a Scottish violinist, fiddler, and dancing master born on August 5, 1843, in Arbeadie. Skinner specialized in violin and cello under Alexander Forbes Skinner and Peter Milne before joining Dr Mark’s Little Men in 1855. He performed for Queen Victoria at Buckingham Palace in 1858 and received classical training from Charles Rougier. In 1862, Skinner won a sword-dance competition in Ireland and subsequently taught dancing to the royal household at Balmoral. His recording career featured over 80 recordings and 600 published compositions, including the tune “Hector the Hero” (1903) and the collection The Harp & Claymore Collection (1904). Skinner toured the United States in 1893 and 1926. Professional activity concluded after a final UK tour in 1925. Skinner died on March 17, 1927, in Aberdeen. A memorial gravestone by Frederick William George was unveiled posthumously by Sir Harry Lauder.
