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Gathering of the Clan
A warm Hunter Welcome to a new member: George Hunter of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne
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Clan Muirhead
Comes to Hunterston
I had the pleasure of escorting Raymond L. Morehead, president of Clan Muirhead USA, and his companion, Mr John Staily, to an arranged appointment with Madam Pauline at Hunterston, writes Robert Hunter, U.K. Clan Officer.
It was 19 May and the meeting took place in Hunterston House, the big hoose. After greetings and salutations, we were led through to the Grand Hall, where coffee was served. During some convivial conversation, the Clan Muirhead leader produced a beautiful hand-crafted powder horn engraved with the dates of his visit with three feathers carved from bone (all his own work!) and presented it to a delighted Madam Pauline.
It now rightly has its own place of honour in Hunterston Castle. I was very pleasantly surprised also to receive a horn of my own from Raymond (alas, without the feathers)
Madam Pauline conducted her visitors on a tour of the newly refurbished Castle and then gave a lunch in a noted restaurant in the locality. Thank you for an excellent meal, Madam Pauline. Her guests returned with her to Hunterston, where our two transatlantic visitors took their leave of us. A subsequent letter from Raymond expressed their pleasure and enjoyment of their time at Hunterston.
During the recent Gathering, our Clan Chief explained to the Clan Officer's meeting and also the UK Association AGM that it has been customary for clans with their own seats and presence in Scotland to extend the hand of friendship and co-operation to others, who for various reasons no longer have a Scottish base. The first link for Clan Hunter in this tradition is most probably with Clan Muirhead, a liaison which is likely to be mutually beneficial and certainly appropriate because Clan Muirhead also has its roots in Ayrshire.
While on the subject of other clans, I met Stan Forrester, president of Clan Forrester, and some of his clan council, on 25 June at Bannockburn, where Scotland won a great victory over the Auld Enemy in 1314. I was much taken by the site and its atmosphere and the statue of Robert the Bruce. There is a National Trust for Scotland centre there which shows an interesting film about the battle and there is also a museum and a cafetaria. All the ingredients, in fact, for a good outing. Afterwards I was the guest of Clan Forrester at their seat, Torwood Castle, where I enjoyed a picnic with a fine glass of wine. Friendly people, those Forresters and if invited I'll be delighted to join them again.!
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Clan Hunter Association U.K.
Clan Chief:
Madam Pauline Natalie Hunter of Hunterston
and of that Ilk, 30th Laird
Officers:
Clan Officer: Robert Hunter
Membership Secretary: Anne S. Hunter
Treasurer: A.H. Gardner
Newsletter Editor: Nigel Hunter
Hon Genealogist/Historian: Brian Stanley Hunter
Publicity Officer: Bill Hunter
Chaplain:
Rev. Alastair G. Hunter
Council:
A.H. Gardner Nigel Hunter
Gordon Hunter Robert Hunter
Anne S. Hunter
James Hunter-Blair
Brian Stanley Hunter
Bill Hunter
Peter Hunter-Marks
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