Hunter history and news archive

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Hunter's Tryst

The Hunter's Tryst is our clan newsletter sent free to our members. These are some of our past editions. (pdf format/acrobat reader)

Hunters Horn 2003
Hunters Horn 2006
Hunters Horn No1 2010
Hunters Horn No2 2011
Hunters Horn No3 2011
Hunters Horn No4 2012

Aug 2011
I would like to give thanks to Robert, on behalf of us all. Robert is retiring as our Tryst Editor having given us his best for many a year.
Any volunteers to take up the torch?

little snippets from Scottish history and Clan Information
4th Sep 2011:	Doors Open Day was a great success, enjoyed by one and all. It kicked of 10 minutes early with our first visitors coming up from Shropshire. We had over 200 visitors being guided around and regaled with tales of muck and gore. The visitors seemed to come in a more steady flow than usual so any queuing was under ten minutes till the next guide was ready and there was a healthy interest shown. There are a couple of photos on the gallery page.
30th May 2011: Douglas Hunter, one of our newest Clan Hunter USA members is coming over to Scotland this August with his Pipe Band to compete in the World Championships at Glasgow. Good luck Douglas. He will be visiting Hunterston Castle, on his own, on the 17th / 18th Aug. and we thought this would be a good excuse for a wee barbeque and a nice listen to some tunes.
30th January 2011: A nice Burns weekend was had at the Aston hotel in Dumfries. We were located in the old Crighton estate which is a lovely area. Business was quite brisk on the Saturday as there was also a wedding reception there but on the Sunday we had the Burns supper more or less to ourselves.
	From January 2011: We have had a little splurge of members joining the last few weeks with Dr Susen Hunter from USA joining and giving us a visit, Kay Hunter who is a renowned author and wrote a book Duet for a Lifetime which is about her ancestor Robert Hunter and the Siamese twins ~ a story worth reading. Also Andrew from Australia and David from Arbroath as well as David from Chester and Hugh from Auchterarder who came back into the fold. Welcome one and all and may the force be with you ~ to coin a phrase.
	On 11th June 2010. Having a stroll around the castle couldn't help notice the bird-life. The new parents were all flying around collecting meals for their new families. I noticed this family in particular taking advantage of the new housing available in a metal gate post (added 19th century). They were a bit shy at first, but after I introduced myself they got quite chatty. I explained a bit about the local area and they certainly were impressed with the kitchen arrangements.
	On Sunday 13th June 2010. The Ancient Society of Kilwinning Archers were at the castle bright and early. This was the day of The Annual Hunterston Clout. A clout or cloot is Scottish slang for a cloth and traditionally a cloth or flag is tied to a distant pole and the winner is the archer who hits it. Historically events like this were encouraged as a means honing the skills of bowmen.
	On 30th September 1928 Sir Alexander Fleming, a local Ayrshire lad, discovered Penicillin. Without funds to develop it, the discovery had to wait on the needs of the 1939-45 war before money was made available to produce it in large quantities.
	On the 26th August 1640 was the Battle of Newburn on Tyne. King Charles 1st. (Mary Q.O.S. grandson) tried to impose an Anglican prayer book on Scotland. A Scottish army under General Leslie invaded England. They joined battle on the Tyne and decimated the English defenders. Advancing as far as York to show their anger.
	19th June 1566 King James 6th was born. His mother Mary Queen of Scots was forced to abdicate making James the King at one year old. On the death of Elizabeth, James was also the King of England and Ireland at the age of 37. Although the three countries were still not united. This period is known as The Union of the Crowns. It wasn't until The Acts of Union in 1707 that the countries were drawn together.
	On the 6th July 1747 John Paul Jones was born in Kirkudbrightshire near the borders. Recognised as the founder of the American Navy. He was to become an American national hero for his skill and bravery against the British in their War of Independance.
	On the 21st July 1796 Robert Burns died at Dumfries. Cause of death is given as heart failure at the age of 37. Known as a poet and lyricist two of his best known works would probably be Auld Lang Syne and Scots Wha Hae which are still sung around the world.