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Clan Hunter Tales from around the world
This September we have been celebrating the Hunters as our Clan of the Month and during this time we have been sent so many fascinating stories by members of the Clan, so we thought we would collate all our favourites into one place to share with you.
Melanie Stopic
Member of Clan Hunter, Melanie, decided to make her son his very own kilt using the Hunter of Hunterston tartan after he was inspired by all things Scottish on a family trip to Scotland in 2014. The craftsmanship is simply amazing, especially since Melanie had never made a kilt before!
We visited Scotland in Sept 2014 and went on a tour of Hunterston Castle (We live in Sydney, Australia). My middle son Ernie was quite taken by many things Scottish and I asked if he'd like a kilt and he was very interested. So in March 2015 I ordered metres of the Hunter of Hunterston tartan. It did sit in my cupboard for a couple of years before I got round to actual making it into a kilt! It was June 2017 when I actually started making it. My teaching was via the supposed kilt making bible 'the Art of Kiltmaking' by Barb Tewksbury and Elsie Stuehmeyer. I did make a 'draft' first out of an old flanelette sheet so I would have some idea of what I was doing before possibly stuffing up $450 worth of proper tartan.
It is all hand sewn (no machines involved) and ended up taking 2 months of sewing in the evening after work and looking after my three boys. It has been 4 years since I finished this kilt for my 12 year old son. Probably time now to take out the hidden pleat and make it a bit bigger since he's about twice as big now.
Clan Hunter Gathering at Rowan Tree
At the beginning of September the Rowan Tree Restaurant had the pleasure of hosting Madam Pauline Hunter and a few members of the Hunter Clan for their gathering. Due to the pandemic and travel restrictions, the gathering wasn't as large an affair as the Clan originally planned but they had a fabulous evening celebrating the coming together of their clan.
It was a delight to host your Clan Event. A Scottish themed dinner was served for the Hunter Clan members. A highlight over the years for David and myself (Abbie) was being able to work in the Hunterston House kitchen on a previous catering job for Madam Pauline and Graham. It was amazing to have the opportunity to cook in Hunterston House kitchen, surrounded in history.
David Hunter
David is another member of the Clan who is deeply proud of his Hunter heritage. He sent us these gorgeous photos of him and his family all donning the Hunter Ancient tartan at various events over the years. Don't they look fantastic!
A couple of young Hunter cousin's, Hunter Huhu and Liam Hunter, having fun at their Uncle Gideon and Aunt Lizzie's wedding. What fun they had, despite being told they had to stay tidy for the wedding photos!
Stephen Brown
Stephen is a historian living in West Kilbride, and although he is not a member of Clan Hunter we thought this story was too good not to share!
On September 22nd 1964 Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother visited Hunterston A Nuclear Power Station to officially open it. She had a tour of the site before officially declaring the plant open, although it was already producing electricity. This is a photograph of her train passing through West Kilbride taking her home.
Maurice Hunter
Maurice climbed Ben Nevis wearing his Hunter Ancient kilt to show his pride for his Clan. Did you know Ben Nevis is one of Scotland's 282 Munros and is the highest mountain not only in Scotland, but in the UK. Learn more about Scotland's mountains in our Munro guide.
Jennie McCaleb
Jennie has kitted her house out with plenty of tartan, including the Hunter tartan alongside many others, and we think it looks incredible!
I have a few tartans represented here. I am a Hunter. My great grandmother was a Campbell and further back Colquhoun. The clan crest wall hanging that we use at the Scottish games is Hunter of Hunterston tartan. The curtains and pillows are Ancient Hunter. The bar has touches of Campbell tartans with my grandfather's tie and some cloth napkins. The piper on the wall is my son, Hunter Powell.
Interviewing Madam Pauline
Earlier in the month, we had the pleasure of interviewing the 30th Chief of Clan Hunter, Pauline Hunter of Hunterston. Anna spoke to Pauline all about her important role within the clan and what exciting events they have planned for the future.
September may be coming to an end but our love for Clan Hunter will never end, so if you want to chat Clan Hunter or in fact any clan at all then we'd love to hear from you!
