Clan Hunter
Encyclopedia
Clan Hunter is a Scottish clan
which has its seat at Hunterston
in Ayrshire. It has historical connections with both the 'Highlands' and 'Lowlands' of Scotland due to several centuries of operation in some of the formerly Gaelic speaking Scottish Islands including Arran, Bute and the Cumbraes where the Hunters also long held land. The present Chief is Madam Pauline Hunter of Hunterson
from which the Hunters emerged with their lands intact despite having signed the Ragman Rolls
, swearing allegiance to King Edward I of England
, in 1269. Having most likely supported William Wallace and certainly Robert the Bruce, in 1374 the great King's grandson Robert II granted William Hunter (10th Laird) a charter for the lands of Ardneil "for faithful services rendered". The clan still possess this ancient document. For many years, the Hunters continued to serve the Scottish Crown as Royal Huntsmen and as soldiers, sometimes at great cost.
between England and Scotland in the 16th century John Huntar the 14th Chief died with King James IV at the Battle of Flodden Field
in 1513, Mungo Huntar the 16th chief died for Queen Mary at the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh
in 1547. Clan chiefs from Clan Colquhoun
, Clan Macfarlane
and Clan Farquharson
also died at this battle. A good clan chief was expected to lead by example, which meant being first into battle at the head of the clan. For this reason many clan chiefs died during battle. Flodden Field cost Scotland her King, 10,000 men and the flower of her nobility in her greatest military defeat. Because of the awful number of Scottish lives lost on 9 September 1513, this day is known in Scotland as 'Black Saturday'.
(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.
The present Clan Chief, Madam Pauline Hunter of Hunterston and of that Ilk and 30th Laird and Chief of Clan Hunter.
Scottish clan
Scottish clans , give a sense of identity and shared descent to people in Scotland and to their relations throughout the world, with a formal structure of Clan Chiefs recognised by the court of the Lord Lyon, King of Arms which acts as an authority concerning matters of heraldry and Coat of Arms...
which has its seat at Hunterston
Hunterston
Hunterston, by the Firth of Clyde, is a coastal area in Ayrshire, Scotland, which is the seat and estate of the Hunter family. As an area of flat land adjacent to deep natural water, it has been the site of considerable actual and proposed industrial development in the 20th century. The nearest...
in Ayrshire. It has historical connections with both the 'Highlands' and 'Lowlands' of Scotland due to several centuries of operation in some of the formerly Gaelic speaking Scottish Islands including Arran, Bute and the Cumbraes where the Hunters also long held land. The present Chief is Madam Pauline Hunter of Hunterson
Origins of the Clan Hunter
The first Hunters arrived in Ayrshire in the last years of the 11th century. They were experts in hunting and fieldcraft with generations of experience in the forests of their land of origin, Normandy, northern France. William Hunter was invited to Scotland by David I, who was himself brought up in the Norman Court. He must have had considerable skills to have been so honoured; he was responsible for providing the Scottish Court with meat and game, a position that the Hunters held throughout the Middle Ages and beyond. In papers relating to the King's Inquisition in 1116, we find mention of Williemo Venator (William the Hunter, 1st Laird) who was appointed as Royal Huntsman while his wife had the honour of serving Queen Matilda as lady-in-waiting. William put his expertise to good use in the wild forests and fens, then rich with wildlife, which surrounded the site of the timber fortress later to become Hunter's Toun. As recognition of his family's skills the title of Royal Huntsman became a hereditary appointment.Scottish Wars of Independence
The Hunters held the Ayrshire coast land of western Scotland along with many other clans at the battle of Largs in 1263 against the Norse invasion of King Hakon of Norway. This battle is well documented in the sagas of Orkney where the king later fled and died. This conflict is regarded by many historians as the first war of independence in Scotland . The battle field can be found 1 mile from Hunterston castle itself. The Pele Tower of Hunterston sheltered the Hunters throughout the laterWars of Scottish IndependenceWars of Scottish Independence
The Wars of Scottish Independence were a series of military campaigns fought between the independent Kingdom of Scotland and the Kingdom of England in the late 13th and early 14th centuries....
from which the Hunters emerged with their lands intact despite having signed the Ragman Rolls
Ragman Rolls
Ragman Rolls refers to the collection of instruments by which the nobility and gentry of Scotland subscribed allegiance to King Edward I of England, during the time between the Conference of Norham in May 1291 and the final award in favor of Baliol in November 1292; and again in 1296...
, swearing allegiance to King Edward I of England
Edward I of England
Edward I , also known as Edward Longshanks and the Hammer of the Scots, was King of England from 1272 to 1307. The first son of Henry III, Edward was involved early in the political intrigues of his father's reign, which included an outright rebellion by the English barons...
, in 1269. Having most likely supported William Wallace and certainly Robert the Bruce, in 1374 the great King's grandson Robert II granted William Hunter (10th Laird) a charter for the lands of Ardneil "for faithful services rendered". The clan still possess this ancient document. For many years, the Hunters continued to serve the Scottish Crown as Royal Huntsmen and as soldiers, sometimes at great cost.
Anglo-Scottish Wars
During the Anglo-Scottish WarsAnglo-Scottish Wars
The Anglo-Scottish Wars were a series of wars fought between England and Scotland during the sixteenth century.After the Wars of Scottish Independence, England and Scotland had fought several times during the fourteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. In most cases, one country had attempted to...
between England and Scotland in the 16th century John Huntar the 14th Chief died with King James IV at the Battle of Flodden Field
Battle of Flodden Field
The Battle of Flodden or Flodden Field or occasionally Battle of Branxton was fought in the county of Northumberland in northern England on 9 September 1513, between an invading Scots army under King James IV and an English army commanded by the Earl of Surrey...
in 1513, Mungo Huntar the 16th chief died for Queen Mary at the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh
Battle of Pinkie Cleugh
The Battle of Pinkie Cleugh, on the banks of the River Esk near Musselburgh, Scotland on 10 September 1547, was part of the War of the Rough Wooing. It was the last pitched battle between Scottish and English armies, and is seen as the first modern battle in the British Isles...
in 1547. Clan chiefs from Clan Colquhoun
Clan Colquhoun
Clan Colquhoun is a Highland Scottish clan.The clan motto shown above in the crest best translates to "if I can."-Origins of the clan:In the 13th century Maol Domhnaich, Earl of Lennox granted the lands of Colquhoun, located in Dunbartonshire, to Humphry de Kilpatrick...
, Clan Macfarlane
Clan MacFarlane
Clan MacFarlane is a Highland Scottish clan. The clan claims a descent from the old line of the Earls of Lennox. For some time there had been some controversy as to the descent of these earls, with both Gaelic and Anglo-Saxon origins given. Though today it is accepted that Clan MacFarlane is of...
and Clan Farquharson
Clan Farquharson
Clan Farquharson of Invercauld is a Highland Scottish clan. The clan hails from Aberdeenshire and is a member of the Chattan Confederation.-Origins:Farquhar - from the Gaelic 'fear' and 'char' meaning 'dear one'...
also died at this battle. A good clan chief was expected to lead by example, which meant being first into battle at the head of the clan. For this reason many clan chiefs died during battle. Flodden Field cost Scotland her King, 10,000 men and the flower of her nobility in her greatest military defeat. Because of the awful number of Scottish lives lost on 9 September 1513, this day is known in Scotland as 'Black Saturday'.
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, AylmerAylmer Hunter-Weston
Lieutenant-General Sir Aylmer Gould Hunter-Weston KCB DSO GStJ was a British Army general who served in World War I at Gallipoli and the Somme Offensive...
(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
Sailing at the 1956 Summer Olympics
Sailing/Yachting is a Olympic sport starting from the Games of the 1st Olympiad Sailing/Yachting is a Olympic sport starting from the Games of the 1st Olympiad Sailing/Yachting is a Olympic sport starting from the Games of the 1st Olympiad (1896 Olympics in Greece. With the exception of 1904 and...
. Like many Hunters before him he was in true tradition an expert in archery.
The present Clan Chief, Madam Pauline Hunter of Hunterston and of that Ilk and 30th Laird and Chief of Clan Hunter.
Clan Seat & Castle
The seat of the chief of Clan Hunter has been at Hunterston Castle for over 800 years.External links
- Official website of the Hunter Clan Association in the UK
- Official website of the Hunter Clan Association in Australia
- 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
- http://www.scotclans.com/clans/Hunter/history.html