Skinner, The Reverend John (1721 -1807)
The author of the song 'Tullochgorum' was born at Balfour, Aberdeenshire, the son of the schoolmaster of Birse. He was educated at Marischal College, Aberdeen, became assistant schoolmaster at Monymusk, took orders in the Scottish Episcopal Church in 1742, spent two years in Shetland as preceptor in the family of the Sinclairs of Scalloway, then, returning to Aberdeen, ministered at Longside, near Linshart, for the rest of his life.

He was the author of an Ecclesiastical History of Scotland and many other theological works, as well as 'Tullochgorum' and other Scots songs which included 'John o' Badenyon' and 'Ewie wi' the Crookit Horn'.-The Burns Encyclopedia