Cursum Perficio the Clan motto

Clan Hunter:

A short history

 

The first Hunters arrived in Ayrshire in the opening years of the 12th century, having come over from Normandy about four years after the Norman Conquest.

Experts in hunting and fieldcraft with generations of experience in the forests of their land of origin, these Norman lords were invited to Scotland by King David I who was himself brought up in the Norman court in London.

In papers relating to the King's Inquisition, a Court of Law held in the King's presence in 1116 we find mention of Willielmo Venator, William the Hunter, the first Laird, Royal Huntsman to the Kings and Queens of Scotland.

There is a family legend that says the Lady of the first Laird had the honour of serving Queen Matilda as lady-in-waiting.

 

William the Hunter soon put his expertise to good use in the wild forests and fens of Hunterston, then rich in wildlife, which surrounded the site of the timber fortress. This became Hunter's Toun, a village and port on the peninsula where Hunterston has always been.

As recognition of his family's skills, the title of Praefectus Venatorus Regis - Royal Huntsman, became a hereditary appointment.

 

In the mid-thirteenth century King Alexander III of Scotland urged his liegemen to build in stone against possible incursion by Norsemen (the Vikings). It was probably about this time that the stone pele-tower of Hunterston Castle was constructed to replace the wooden fortress.

 

Ardneil Hunter, the 5th Laird of Hunterston, is mentioned in a Charter of King Alexander III of Scotland in 1271. The reference was to land that had been granted to the Laird of Hunterston by the King's predecessor, Malcolm IV.

From their stronghold the family, allied with other powerful neighbours, stood fast against the aggression of King Hakon of Norway and drove him to defeat at the battle of Largs in 1263.

It sheltered them throughout the turbulent Wars of Independence from which they emerged with their lands intact, having probably supported William Wallace and certainly Robert the Bruce.

In 1374 the Great King's grandson Robert II granted William Hunter (10th Laird) a Charter of lands for; "faithful services rendered ... to us".

 

While farming the lands, the Hunters continued to serve the Scottish Crown as Royal Huntsmen and as soldiers, sometimes at great personal cost to the family.

John Huntar (14th Laird) died with King James at Flodden in 1513 and Mungo Huntar (16th Laird) died for Mary at the Battle of Pinkie in 1547.

 

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 (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.

 

In spite of more recent threats, from industrialization rather than invasion, both the 28th and 29th Lairds held true to precedent and managed to retain the Castle and its grounds as the Heart and Spiritual Home of Clan Hunter.

 

Several tales have been passed down the generations as to how the first Hunter, Norman Venator, was given his title as hereditary Gamekeeper and Falconer to the Kings and Queens of Scotland.

There is a fine story; that whilst the first Hunter at Hunterston was out hunting and chanced upon a meeting with a stranger, who was by himself and appeared lost, The Hunter took him in and so impressed this stranger with his talents in finding game that before parting, the stranger vowed to return one day.

In due course some time later, a large party of warriors all in battle dress arrived in the area. The Hunter was apprehensively studying the arrivals from the cover of some trees, when he noticed the stranger he had befriended.

On advancing towards him he was immediately surrounded by a ferocious group of warriors menacing him with weapons. The stranger then came forward and announced that The Hunter was an acquaintance, the warriors withdrew and the two men greeted each other and exchanged news.

When the group started to leave, The Hunter turned to one of the party and asked the name of the stranger: "The King of Scotland" came the reply.

 

This Royal connection has remained throughout the entire history of the Hunters of Hunterston.

A royal Charter dated 31st May 1527 from King James V to Robert Huntar of Huntarstoune (15th Laird) grants him the deer forest on Little Cumbrae, an Island in the Forth of Clyde opposite Hunterston. States: .... quiquisdem insulam et terras cum pertinenciis, dictus Robertus et predecessors sui, de nobis et predecessoribus nostris, in custodia hereditary prius habuerunt ... . This translates as: "which islands and lands with pertinents, the said Robert and his predecessors have formerly held of us and our predecessors in hereditary custody ... ".

This clearly establishes the continued official appointment as Hereditary Royal Huntsman.

 

The "blenche ferme" rent paid on demand to the crown was fulfilled by the presentation of two hounds of the chase and two falcons when the King visited this part of his kingdom.

In addition, an annual sum of one silver penny Scots was paid at Pentecost.

On 5th June 1979, Neil Hunter of Hunterston (29th Laird) was privileged to continue this long tradition by presenting one of these silver pennies to the late Queen Mother, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, on a visit to Hunterston Castle.

 

Amongst these Historical surroundings nestles the Clan Seat and centre for all the Clansfolk.

The earliest part of the Castle is the Pele Tower (pronounced Peel) built in the 13th century.

It is certain that this stone building replaced an earlier wooden structure. However no remains of this earlier structure have ever been found.

The Castle had always been occupied and this has helped to ensure that the building has remained in good structural condition.

The main Tower House or Pele tower is now a Museum for The Clan.

The marshland beside the Castle was drained by Robert Hunter (25th Laird) in the 1820's. The Castle became the centre of farming activities for the estate.

The road that passes between the Castle and the adjacent walled garden used to be the main coastal route and no doubt witnessed much activity in olden days. Daily domestic life would pass here making it an important gathering and resting place now marked by a tree.