A message from the Chief

Continued from front page

Now for 2004 , This year started like the last and has been ably reported on by the Secretary Peter Hunter. Thank you  Peter for the fine photographs of our folk who were at this event .

Spring is just around the corner the time when Hunterstoune shows off her brent new goun for all to see.It`s a nice place to visit if your looking for peace and quite . Especially if you have just experienced the rigors of trying to park your car in the town of Largs .If you would like to visit the Castle , preferably ,between Monday and Friday . Then telephone Mary Ross on 0129 82 9752 , Mary is the Castle Keeper. Come in and enjoy a fine Hunter welcome .

The problem of time and distance ,has long dogged our Kith and Kin . I know that some of you have travelled many hundreds of miles to be with the Clan at our events . A big thank you to you all for this ,especially to those of you who have to rely on public transport . If you have not yet attended any of our venues , it would be nice to see you . I am sure that you will come back again , and we really do need your support .

Again we go around the events calendar another A.G.M. and then on to the big one . Yes I am talking of Clan Hunter International gathering 6th. 7th. 8th. August . Come and meet your Cousin's from beyond the Sea's ,yes they are coming from Canada ,America , at the last International we had Kin from New Zealand and Australia , also South America would you believe Spanish speaking Hunters ?

Everything that you need to know , about the Gathering is advertised in this issue . If there is anything else that you would like to know of then call the Secretary phone number on back page. I look forward to seeing many of you at the Gathering . Yours Aye Madam Pauline Hunter of Hunterston and of that ilk.

The Burns  night Ceilidh cont,

Tartan Trews . There is nothing that brings a group together more than the wearing of the tartan , identifying the bond between all present . Like last year the Friday night went on till late { some time after the bar was closed in fact } The Saturday is time to yourselves until the main event in the evening . We had a bit of a get together and a blether late in the afternoon.

We all gathered dressed in our best [ lots of tartan, not to worry , not every body had tartan ] . The meal was very good, lots of humour roamed the table, including a few unusual blessing of the meal. The entertainment was excellent as you will get a chance to find out if you attend the gathering in August .William Williamson and Gavin Maxwell  are providing entertainment for us . The Haggis was piped in and very ably addressed by William Williamson, then we all got our turn to attack the haggis.

Dancing followed directed by the William Williamson with more than a little patience as there was so many left feet on the floor This was supported by spells of Gavin playing the pipes [ including a request for Highland Cathedral, I suspect for Madam Pauline a particular favourite of hers ] and the excellent voice and wit of William Williamson . The photos included with this article are but a taste of what went on .We all hope that more of you reading this will make the trip next year . I will do my best to get the dates and prices  out to every body as soon as the hotel has got it`s program settled . Yours Aye  Peter Hunter , Secretary .

Book Corner    featuring          Freedom's Sword  by Peter Traquair

Have you ever wondered how the Hunter's of Hunterstoun coped with life during the Anglo-Scottish wars . As you know it all started with the death of Alexander III in 1286 . 

 1374 the 10th laird received the charter from Robert II restoring  the lands of Hunterston Ardniel and Campbellton  ,for services faithfully rendered. What were these services? Although the author “Peter Traquair” does not mention the Hunter's by name it is easy to read the old family into the story .

Read about the town  of Ayr and of the importance of it's harbour to the English war effort in Scotland . How George Boyd laid siege to the inverkip castle .The signing of the Rag Man's roll the author suggests that this was done at Ayr and not Berwick could well be correct as I know that the signature of Aylmer Le Huntar the 8th. Laird lies between that of Boyd and Montgomery  suggesting  that these three neighbours were present at the same time .

 Read how the war under David II raged all around the Iles of Bute and Arran .Taking in the Cumbrae`s .This is not a war book with blood running off every page . In stead it is well defined and highly entertaining story .This is a book that I think all Hunters would enjoy .          By the Editor .

Robert C/O

 A special thank you goes to Bill for the making and polishing of the board . And  to Alistair Davidson of Ardrossan for the art of sign writing.Alister has also left us with a disc, that we can use  for future sign writing if he is not available . Reported by ;

Clan Councillor  William Hunter.