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The first Hunter’s arrived in
Ayrshire towards the end of the 11th
Century. They were believed to be experts
in hunting that originated from Normandy/
Northern France.
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It is thought the Pele Tower of
Hunterston Castle (south of Largs Ayrshire) was built in
the mid-13th Century to serve as a
defence against the Vikings that had been
attacking the Western Isles and west
coast of Scotland. The Hunter’s are
sure to have been involved in the Battle
of Largs in 1263 that led to the Vikings
leaving the Scottish mainland.
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Although the Hunter's swore allegiance
to the English king Edward I in 1296, as
with most other clans, they would
probably have joined forces with Bruce
when the war for independence escalated
in the early 1300s.
1374, Robert the Bruce’s
grandson Robert II (Stuart) granted
William Huntar, 10th Laird, a charter for
the lands of Ardneil for their support in
battles.
John Huntar, 14th Laird, died with
King James IV at Flodden in 1513 fighting
the army of King Henry VIII (Tudor) of
England.
Mungo Huntar, 16th Laird, died at the
Battle of Pinkie (Edinburgh) 1547 whilst
fighting for the young Mary Queen of
Scots against the English intent on Mary
marrying into the English
royalty.
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1799, work to build Hunterston House
next to the castle began for Eleanor
& Robert Hunter. The completion of
the house saw the castle used as servant
quarters.
Hunterston
House.
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Gould Hunter-Weston, 26th Laird,
fought at Lucknow/India in 1857. His
eldest son Aylmer, 27th Laird, was a
respected General in World War One. He
later became an MP for North
Ayrshire.
Clan Chief, Eleanora, 28th Laird, lost
a court battle to prevent a Nuclear Power
Station being built on the land of
Hunterston.
The present Clan Chief, Madam Pauline
Hunter of Hunterston, 30th Laird, has
developed the Clan Hunter Associations,
which with the aid of the Internet, is
now worldwide.
Hunterston Castle is still owned by
Madam Pauline Hunter. She arranges clan
hunter gatherings through the Clan Website.
Hunterston Castle is open to the general
public one day each year.
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Other Hunter castles are Blairquhan
Castle that was completed in 1842 for Sir
David Hunter Blair (son of a banker and
Lord Provost of Edinburgh). The castle is
set in a 2000-acre estate 14 miles south
of Ayr near the small village of Straiton. The estates castle,
lodge, dower house and six cottages are
now available for holidays and special
events. Blairquhan Castle can be visited
in summer months, website www.blairquhan.co.uk.
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 Glenapp Castle was
completed in 1870 for James Hunter
(Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Ayrshire). The
present owners offer the castle for 5
Star holidays, corporate events and
weddings. Glenapp Castle is situated
south of the small village Ballantrae on
the southwest coast of Ayrshire, website
www.glenappcastle.com.
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