The  first of the Hunters arrived in Ayrshire towards the end of the 11th Century. Being experts in hunting and fieldcraft spanning generations of experience in the forest's where they originated (Normandy/ Northern France). William  Hunter was invited to Scotland by David I (who was also brought up in the Norman Court). He had considerable skill's and was honoured by many. He was responsible for supplying the Scottish court with meat and game, a position that the Hunters held throughout and thereafter the Middle  Ages. In papers relating to the King's inquisition in 1116, it has been found that Williemo Venator (William the Hunter, 1st Laird) who was appointed as the Royal Huntsman while his spouse had the honour of serving Queen  Matilda as her Lady-in-Waiting (or so the legend states).. William (Williemo) put his expertise/skill's to good use in the wild forests and fens, then rich with wildlife which surrounded the site of the timber fortress. Later  this was to be named "Hunters Toun". As recoginition of his family's great skills the title of "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. It was probably around that time that Pele Tower of Hunterston was constructed. From this stronghold, the family in alliegance with other powerful neighbours, faced down the aggression of King Haakon of Norway and drove him to defeat at the Battle of Largs in 1263. It was a haven for them throughout the Wars of Independance from which the Hunters emerged with land's intact despite  having signed the Ragman Rolls where swearing allegiance to Edward I in  1269. It is likely that they supported William Wallace and almost certainly Robert  the Bruce. In 1374 the great Kings grandson Robert II grantet William Huntar (the 10th Laird) a charter for the lands of Ardneil "for faithful services rendered". The family 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). John Huntar (the 14th  Laird) died with King James at Flodden in 1513 and Mungo Huntar (the 16th  Laird) died for Mary at Pinkie in 1547. As the times settled the Hunters devoted more time to farming their extensive lands yet continued to produce soldiers of distinction over the generations. Gould Hunter-Weston (married to Jane Hunter-Weston (the 26th Laird)) fought  at india at Lucknow in 1857 and their eldest son Aylmer (the 27th Laird) was a well known and respected General in the 1st World war. He later became a MP for North Ayrshire. During her tenure as Clan Chief, Eleanora (the 28th Laird) fought in the Courts, but lost a compulsory purchase order the the 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 UK in 2 Olympic Games, during which he won a Silver medal. 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 the 30th Laird, is continuing to build a secure future for Hunterston  and the developement of the Clan Hunter Associations around the Globe.