Clan Hunter

Clan Hunter

Clan Hunter is a Lowland Scottish Clan. The original Clan lands are on the Firth of Clyde at Hunterston in North Ayrshire and have remained in the possession of the Hunter family since 1110.

Early History

The ancestors of the early lairds of Hunterston were Norsemen. They came to Normandy in longships with Rollo (c.860-930 AD) and conquered the region, laying siege to Paris in 911 and settling in Northern France with Rollo taking the title Duke of Normandy. Guilielmus Venator (William The Hunter) was born in Venables in northern France and is named as one of the witnesses, with Hugh de Morville, at an inquisition in 1116 by David, Prince of the Cumbrians (later King David I of Scotland) regarding lands pertaining to the Church of Glasgow. William is known to have come to Scotland from Normandy after the conquest of England in 1066. Many of the ancient Scottish lowland families have similar Norman origins. Norman Venator the 2nd laird, is referred to in a Royal Charter of King Alexander III of Scotland dated 1271 confirming that he had previously been granted lands in the Barony of Ardneil on the coast of Ayrshire by King Malcolm IV of Scotland (1153-65). Ardneil farm neighbours Hunterston land and would have been in the possession of the lairds at that time. The 3rd laird, Venator (The Hunter) was named in charters of King Alexander II of Scotland who reigned 1214-49 and John Deo Venator the 4th laird, was a witness to a deed in the Glasgow Church records of 1233.

Taking Sides

Aylmere le Huntar, the 8th laird was one of the Scottish Magnates who signed the famous Ragman Rolls in 1296, as an act of homage in submission to King Edward 1st of England. John Huntar, the 14th laird was killed at the Battle of Flodden on 9th September 1513 in the service of the Scottish Crown. Kentigern (Mungo) Huntar of Huntarstoune, the 16th laird died fighting for Mary, Queen of Scots at the Battle of Pinkie 10th September 1547. He was named after Kentigern, a 6th century Apostle of the Scottish Kingdom of Strathclyde, also known at Mungo who founded and is the Patron Saint of the City of Glasgow. His son Robert Huntar the 17th laird, also fought for Mary and was seriously wounded at the Battle of Langside (1568). Surviving, he became a supporter of the Reformed Religion (Protestantism). He died in 1581. Robert’s brother James is considered the founder of several genealogical branches of the extended Hunter family (Abbotshill, Barjarg, Thurston, Doonholm, Auchterarder and the Hunter-Blair baronets).

Hunterston Castle

Hunterston Castle consists of a cluster of buildings of different historical periods attached to the main Peel tower, representing a history of the Hunter family living and farming at Hunterston for over 900 years. The tower is the oldest section dating from the 13th century. The exact year of original construction is unknown but it likely replaced an earlier wooden structure. There is no protective moat around the building as it was surrounded by an adjacent area of marshland that was drained in the 1820s by the 25th laird to create arable farmland

Hunterston Brooch

Found whist digging drains at Hunterston in the autumn of 1826, the Hunterston Brooch is famous because of its beauty and size [4] [5]. Made of silver, partially gilded and inset with gold filigree and studded with Amber, the brooch is in almost perfect condition with only the point of the pin, some of the amber studs and all of their gold caps missing. The style and workmanship date to about AD 700 and it is considered an outstanding piece of design and craftsmanship combining both Celtic and Anglo-Saxon features in a period which artistically was a golden age in the British Isles. The original brooch is prominently displayed in the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh to show inscriptions on the reverse and is regarded as one of their most important national treasures [6]. It is possible the owner, a person of high status to possess such a fine object, was a victim fleeing the Battle of Largs (1263).

Royal Charter

William Huntar of Ardneil, the 10th laird was granted a Royal Charter by King Robert II of Scotland (1371-1390) signed in Stirling on the 2nd May 1374. This Charter is preserved at Hunterston with the original Royal seal intact. It remains the oldest document in the possession of Clan Hunter [7] thus consolidating their unbroken link with the lands at Hunterston. In Scotland, all lands were forfeit to the Crown in times of war. Afterward, being restored in exchange for services to the reigning Monarch. William was born in 1350.

Clan Tartan

Known as the Hunter of Hunterston Sett [8], the design for our Clan tartan was chosen to incorporate a green hunting base with blue representing the proximity of Hunterston to the sea. The narrow gold (yellow) stripes signify the Chief’s appointment as Royal Huntsman and red is taken from the lanyards of the hunting horns in the Chief’s coat of arms.

Industrial Activity

Following the construction of a Nuclear powered electricity generating plant on Hunterston land in 1954, the area has become synonymous with industrial development. [9] This continues today to impact the small area of original Clan lands remaining in the possession of the Hunter family.

Clan Hunter Society

Set up in 1983, the Clan society [11] extends interest through branches worldwide to all those of Scottish Hunter surnamed descent. A regular presence at highland games and other Scottish cultural events is supported by the voluntary membership.

Links

www.clanhunterscotland.com www.facebook.com/clanhunteruk

Post clan activity

As times became more settled the Hunters devoted more time to farming their extensive lands, although they still produced soldiers of distinction over the generations. Gould Hunter-Weston, husband of Jane Hunter-Weston (26th Laird) fought in India at Lucknow in 1857 and their eldest son, Aylmer (27th Laird) was a well-known general in the First World War. He later became Member of Parliament for North Ayrshire. During her tenure as Clan Chief, Eleanora (28th Laird) fought in the courts, but lost, a compulsory purchase order for land at Hunterston to build a nuclear power station.

The last Clan Chief, Neil Hunter of Hunterston and of that Ilk, along with his wife Sonia, Madam Hunter of Hunterston, continued the fight against industrialization. He was well known for his sailing prowess and represented the United Kingdom in two Olympic Games, winning a silver medal at Melbourne in 1956. Like many Hunters before him he was in true tradition an expert in archery.

Lady Pauline Hunter of Hunterston and of that Ilk is the 30th Laird and Chief of Clan Hunter. Her mid-19th century ancestor is reported in May, 1859 as furthering the philanthropic tradition of Clan Hunter; "The Lady of Hunterston tries to elevate and benefit her neighbours in the village of West Kilbride", while her husband, the Laird of Hunterston, "seeks the good of his tenants by provoking emulation amongst them, as regards the quality of their stock".<ref>"Memorial to Hunters of Hunterston". 2 July 2013 - Largs and Millport Weekly Times Scotland UK. Retrieved 22 June 2018. The Isle of Cumbrae Pipe Band followed by the Clan Hunter colour party, the Reverend Gordon Fyfe, Clan Chief and 30th Laird Lady Pauline Hunter of Hunterston and a Guard of Honour from...</ref><ref>"An Effort To Elevate". Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald Ayrshire, Scotland - 14 May 1859. Retrieved 24 June 2018. who seeks the good of his tenants, by provoking emulation amongst them, as regards the quality of their stock; and the Lady of Hunterston, who tries to elevate and benefit her neighbours in the village of West Kilbride, by originating, furnishing, and supplying....</ref>

Clan seat and castle

The seat of the chief of Clan Hunter has been at Hunterston Castle for over 800 years.

See also

• Scottish clan
• Barony of Ladyland
• Barnweill Church

External links

• Official website of the Hunter Clan Association in the UK
• Official website of the Hunter Clan Association in Canada
• Detailed Information on the Hunter Family History /
• Detailed information about the Hunterston area – home of the Hunter Family and Clan
• Unofficial website of Clan Hunter
• Clan Hunter ScotClans