The Clan Hunter International Gathering is held biennially at Hunterston Castle in West Kilbride, Ayrshire, the ancestral seat of our clan. It is a joy to host the Clan Hunter diaspora, providing an opportunity to explore Hunterston Castle, reconnect with their heritage, and meet ‘cousins’ from around the world.
The Clan Hunter International Gathering is held biennially at Hunterston Castle in West Kilbride, Ayrshire, the ancestral seat of our clan. It is a joy to host the Clan Hunter diaspora, providing an opportunity to explore Hunterston Castle, reconnect with their heritage, and meet ‘cousins’ from around the world.This year, we greeted Hunters from North America, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Scotland, England, and The Netherlands. For some, it was a return to familiar ground; for others, their inaugural visit. Fortunate weather added to the already warm family ambiance. Our quarterly Zoom meet-ups also facilitated easier recognition among attendees.
President Clan Association USA, Bryan Hunter
We were honored to host Bryan Hunter, the Clan President of the Clan Hunter Association USA, throughout the event.
Our guides, donned in medieval attire, captivated visitors with tales of the castle’s and the Hunter family’s past.
Clan Hunter Handfasting
Prior to the commencement of the Clan Hunter International Gathering, we had the honor of observing a private renewal of wedding vows through an ancient pagan ritual known as handfasting. Our tour guide, Gillian, an officiant of these ceremonies, had crafted a beautiful speech for the couple.
The ceremony was held in the grand hall of Hunterston Castle, accompanied by medieval tunes from a Thistle Doo ensemble musician. Janet Martin performed an ancient Scottish ballad, and Madam Pauline autographed a ceremonial document. Lavender and candles adorned the space, while sunlight streamed through the narrow windows, casting a resplendent glow over the event.
The couple, upon renewing their vows, gifted Madam Pauline a stained glass Clan Hunter crest as a token of gratitude for her hospitality during their handfasting ceremony at Hunterston Castle. The piece was crafted by Monique Hunter, as shown above.
The Ancient Society of Kilwinning Archers, a staple of our gatherings, inspired guests to attempt archery, mimicking our forebears. This year, they also delivered an enlightening talk on the longbow’s history and the various hunting and warfare bows integral to our ancestors’ lives.
Charles Hunter, brother of Madam Pauline, presented on our Genealogy Project, and we connected with Bill Hunter from the USA, who shared his extensive knowledge on DNA testing for genealogical research.
A Clan Hunter Gathering wouldn’t be complete without haggis throwing! Martin Beer devised excellent games that captivated both the young and the old. Participants even had the opportunity to craft their own medieval war helmets.
The Friday evening meal featured a performance by Thistle Doo North Ayrshire, a versatile group of recorder players whose repertoire spans from the 13th to the 21st centuries. At Saturday’s lunch, our tour guides presented a special and humorous tribute to Madam Pauline, celebrating her 30th year as Clan Chief. The poem, crafted by the skilled Robin Spencer, can be found in a blog post on our website.
This year, as a special addition, we led a group to the summit of Goldenberry Hill on Sunday, where we were greeted with a spectacular view of the archipelago. The clear blue skies and warm sunshine provided a magnificent end to our ascent.
The Clan Hunter Dinner and Dance went well with our live band and plenty of toe-tapping Scottish reels to get us all up and dancing.
We look forward to welcoming you to our next Clan Hunter International Gathering in 2026!
