In Autumn of the year 1830 two estate labourer were working on the field drains at the foot of Hawking Craigs and came on a Brooch laying in the grass. The brooch was acquired by Robert Hunter of Hunterston and later sold by his widow in 1891 to The Museum of Antiquities.

The brooch is a highly accomplished work. An item of extreme beauty, which if made by Faberge today would be worth millions. To think such a piece was made 1300 years ago with the technology available at that time is breathtaking.

It is five inches in diameter, cast in silver with gold, silver and amber insets weighing 325 grams. The entire front, sides and back have been gilded. It is classed as a penannular brooch and is dated as being made around 700AD.

The brooch is one of the earliest finds of its type in the United Kingdom and really made them in the know sit up and pay attention. It is believed to have come from the Kingdom of Dalriada in Scotland.

On the reverse side are Scandinavian runes added 200 years later saying "Melbrigda owns (this) brooch".
Who what and why must still just be conjecture and google has two and a half thousand pages of continued discussions by academics and others on the questions that this brooch still raises.

The original brooch can now be seen taking pride of place at The National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.
In Hunterston there is an exact jeweler made copy on display.

Considering we are a relatively small Clan, in comparison to some, there are still quite a lot of historical documents relating to us to be found in various repositories and museums around Scotland.

This is the oldest document that is actually still in family hands. It is kept in a hermetically sealed case which is controlled regularly by the museum authorities on behalf of the Nation.

This Royal Charter confirms the grant of the lands of Ardneil, adjoining Hunterston, to William Hunter, the 10th Laird. It is signed by the seal of King Robert the second on 2nd May 1374.

Robert by the Grace of God, King of Scots, to all good men of his whole land, Clerics and Laymen, Greetings:

Know ye that we have given, granted and by this our present charter have confirmed to our loved and faithfull William Hunter, for his faithfull service rendered and to be rendered to us, that whole land of Arnell with pertinents which belonged to Andrew Campbell, Knight, and which the said Andrew, not being led by force or fear nor falling into error but of his own free and pure will, gave up and purely and simply resigned to us by staff and baton and wholly renounced in all time coming for himself and his heirs, with all right and title that he had or might have in the said land with the pertinents:
To hold and to have to the said William and his heirs male lawfully procreate or to be procreated of his body of us and our heirs in fee and in heritage by all their right marches and bounds, with all and singular liberties, commodities, easements and just pertinents whatsoever belonging or in what manner whatsoever shall be justly known to belong in future to the said land, freely, quietly, wholly well and in peace.
The said William and his heirs foresaid rendering therefore yearly to us and our heirs one penny of silver only at the said land of Arnell at the Feast of Pentecost in the name of Blanche Ferme for wards, reliefs, marriages, burdens and other services whatsoever.
In testimony of which thing we have commanded our seal to be appended to our present charter.

Witnesses:

• The Venerable Father in Christ, William, Bishop of St. Andrews:
• John our first born Earl of Carryk, Stewart of Scotland:
• Robert Earl of Ffyffe and of Menteith, our beloved son:
• William Earl of Douglas: John of Carryk our Chancellor:
• James of Lyndsay our nephew:
• and Robert of Erskyne,

Knights at Strivelyne (Stirling)

the Second day of May the Fourth Year of Our Reign (1374)

A small stock of silver pennies are kept just in case they should call

The 29th Laird, Neil Hunter of Hunterston, was priviledged to continue this tradition in 1979 by presenting one of these silver pennies to the late Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, whilst visiting Hunterston Castle.

The Clan Chief presenting the Queen Mother with the Blenche Ferme

The Queen Mother signing the visitor book at Hunterston Castle