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What a fine Gathering it was at Hunterston 22-24 June! A good attendance from various far-flung corners of our world; a smoothly run operation, thanks to our Clan Leader, Madam Pauline and her team, Including some tasty meals; the unveiling of the refurbished front aspect of the Castle; some memorable piping from Harold Hunter of Michigan and Mel Hunter of Canada; some fascinating displays by the Gaddgedlar re-enactment group - history with humor; an interesting and fruitful Clan Officers meeting chaired by Madam Pauline; a touching dedication ceremony and plenty of lively conversation throughout the weekend, plus some even livelier dancing during the ceilidhe after Saturday evening's banquet.
Scotland is not generally noted for reliably good weather but the sun smiled (and shone) on the proceedings. There was some rain on the Saturday afternoon but fortunately it was light and not prolonged and did nothing to dampen the activities or the enjoyment of the occasion. However, there was an unfortunate incident at the very outset during the Friday registration. Father Roger Hall Hunter from the USA said to me, "Robert, I'll work the bar for you", which I thought was great, anticipating interesting reaction as Hunters found a priest offering spiritual sustenance of a liquid kind. Roger decided to tour the Castle before assuming his barman duties, but unfortunately he lost his footing on the narrow winding stairs and broke a leg. Colonel Ken Hunter, ex-US Army Medical Corps. was immediately on the scene and two brawny warriors from Gaddgedlar carried Roger to the ambulance when it arrived. Ken went with him and found himself stranded in Kilmarnock afterwards, but was rescued by UK Council members Brian Stanley Hunter and Gordon Hunter following directions from Madam Pauline. Roger gamely re-appeared for the final Auld LangSyne on the Sunday afternoon, with his leg in plaster. We are all so sorry that his visit was marred by the accident and wish him a speedy recovery.
I had the good fortune to sit next to Tom Hunter, Clan Officer for Canada, and his lady wife Christine during the banquet on the Saturday evening. Naturally the talk was all Clan affairs and how we can further the interests and influence of
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the Hunters in all parts of the world. Our people came from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the USA and our newest Clan Association in Argentina to be with us at Hunterston and much warmth and good feeling was engendered as a result. I was a wee bit disappointed by the rather modest number of UK members present, particularly as they had the least distances to travel.! They missed a fine duet of a Maori love song performed by Richard Kearney, Clan Officer for New Zealand, and his wife Betty, and some tremendous dancing, not least by the lady who discarded her shoes for better mobility and maneuver!.
Sunday morning witnessed a brief religious service conducted by our UK Association chaplain, the Rev. Alistair Hunter, and Father Victor Hunter from Texas, in front of the Castle alongside the garden wall. It included a touching ceremony dedicating a newly-planted rowan tree in memory of Brett Hunter Pirkle, who died on 5 September last year after a brave battle against leukaemia, aged 29. Brett crowded a lot of worthwhile activities and enthusiasms into his brief life, including an avid interest in Clan Hunter, and our hearts went out to his parents, Larry Gene Pirkle and Janice Hunter Pirkle from Birmingham, Alabama, as they joined Madam Pauline beside the young rowan tree and its plaque bearing the poignantly apporpriate words "Cursum Perficio" while Mel Hunter piped The Rowan Tree and then our newly appointed Clan Hunter Association UK piper , Scott Dundas McNab (my wee nephew!), played a lament. There was Communion afterwards in a temporary chapel in the Castle conducted by Alistair and Victor for Hunters of all denominations and persuasions, another enduring moment of unity enhancing the Gathering.
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heart-warming evidence of the bond that exists between the members of Clan Hunter, no matter how great the distance between their homes and countries. And how delightful it was to see Madam Sonia, Pauline's mother again. She never misses a Gathering. During the opening ceremony, Madam Pauline unveiled and impressive slate in front of the Castle that states "Ancient Monument. Hunterston Castle" (see first page for picture), further confirmation of our Clan's assures place in Scotland's history.
Yours Aye
Robert
EDITORS NOTE: This edition of the Hunters Tryst, bearing the dateline June 2001, was sent later than normal in order to accomodate coverage of the recent Gathering at Hunterston Castle
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Larry Gene Pirkle & wife Janice Hunter Pirkle stand by the rowan tree planted near the Hunterston garden wall in memory of their son, Brett Hunter Pirkle.
Diary Dates 2001
Saturday 8 September: The second annual commemoration ceremony at Flodden. Hunters planning to go and wishing to stop over are reminded that discounted terms are available at the Collingwood Arms Hotel in Coldstream. For further details, contact Rober Hunter, UK Clan Officer
Tel: 01698 825804
or email:
robert.hunter2@btinternet.com
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