The Clan Leask Society

The First Leasks in Orkney & Shetland

The Orkney Leasks are descended from James of Lask, younger son of Thomas de Lask of that Ilk, the second Chief of the Leasks, who is recorded at various times during 1388-1400 in the Scottish Public Records.

James of Lask emigrated to Orkney in 1446, and his Grandson Richard Lask was the progenitor of the Leasks in Shetland. His other Grandson, Boniface Lesk’s descendants have been traced to Isabella Logie Leask of Orkney, who married James Leask, b. 1802, of Westbank, Kirkwall, Orkney, and was the Great Grandfather of J. W. G Leask of that Ilk.

In 1286 the Fair Maid of Orkney died in Orkney while on her way to take up her Inheritance as Heir to the Scottish Throne, and in consequence it was not until c.1450 that the Orkney and Shetland Isles became part of Scotland when they were brought as her dowry by Margaret of Denmark when she came to marry King James II of Scotland.