The Chief of Clan Hunter, Madam Pauline Hunter of Hunterston has initiated a signing of five clans in a Bond of Friendship on Friday 24th July, at Hunterston Castle during the 2026 Clan Hunter Gathering. The event will celebrate the rich history that all Clans and families of Scotland share, to affirm the enduring role and importance of clan leadership in the present day.
This event will also include the Presentation of the Hunterston Bearing Sword, one of only 4 in Scotland and the only one in private hands. Further, there will be the appointment of Depute Macer Venatorus and the first Clan Hunter Chieftain, making Clan Hunter the first Scottish clan to have both a woman as a Clan Chief and a woman as Clan Chieftain.
The signatories for the clans involved will include the Chiefs as named below with a small synopsis of their heritage.
Clan Hunter
- Madam Pauline Hunter of Hunterston, 30th Laird of Hunterston, Chief of Clan Hunter.
- Hailing from Ayrshire, Isle of Arran and Cumbraes, Their origins are of Norman descent and in the 12th century King David 1 of Scotland invited a group of Normans from the English Court to Scotland, amongst them were the Hunters. It seems that the Hunters, as their name suggests, were expert hunters with generations of experience in the forests of Europe. The first Laird, William Venator (Hunter) was granted the lands named “Hunter’s Toune” by King David I. His Clan was appointed Royal Huntsmen to the Scottish Royal Court and fought with both Wallace and Bruce in their day. The clan Crest is a hunting hound, with a crown around it neck and the motto Cursim Perficio (I will complete the race). As the Chief is a female, which is not unusual in this day and age, a lozenge is used in Scottish hertaldry rather than a shield.
Clan Grant
- The Rt Hon Michael Grant of Grant, the 7th Lord Strathspay, 34th hereditary Chief of Clan Grant.
- Clan Grant is a Highland Clan, whose homelands include, Strathspet, Glen Urquat, Glenmoristyon and Loch Ness. The Chiefs of Clan Grant descended from Normans who arrived in Scotland during the medieval period, bearing the French name le Grand (‘the tall’, ‘large’). The first Grants to appear in Scotland are recorded in the 13th century when they acquired the lands of Stratherrick. Clan Grant were supporters of William Wallace, and John and Randolph Grant were captured at the Battle of Dunbar (1296). Clan Grant later supported Robert the Bruce in competition for the Scottish Crown. The victory of Robert the Bruce confirmed the Grants in their lands of Strathspey, where they became established Highland Chiefs. Their crest is a burning hill, and motto Craig Elachie (Stand Fast)
Clan Irving
- Rupert Irving of Bonshaw, 20th hereditary Chief of the Border Clan Irving.
- As Reivers, Irving hail from Annandale and Liddesdale, where their origins, according to current research, date back to the 11th century, with tradition suggesting they are descended from the Gaels through Duncan of Eskdale. In 1672 along with all other noble houses, the ancient arms of the Border Clan Irving were registered by William Irving of Bonshaw onto the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings of Scotland, after the Lord Lyon Act required the same. As vassals of the Bruce, Robert de Bruce was a guest at Bonshaw Tower in 1298 after fleeing they inherited their historic seat, Bonshaw Tower, holding the sasine of the same until it was sold out of the Chiefs family, with the agreement that someone of his clan ie another Irving should buy i. It was sold and is held by a cadet branch of the Clan, Irvings of Gribton and Dumfries in 1986. The crest is a armoured hand holding a single sprig of holly, the motto is Haud ullis labentia ventis (yielding under no winds)
Clan McEwen
- Sir John R.H McEwen, 5th Baronet of Marchmont and Bardrochat, 10th Chief of his name.
- As Highlanders, their Chief comes from the line of McEwen of Otter and upon successful completion of Matriculation on March 20th of 2025, Sir John R.H. McEwen has become the 10th Chief of the Name. As a clan they hail from the area around Kilfinan in Argyll, Scotland as well as other areas to include Galloway and Pertshire. Having lost their lands in the 1400’s, it wasn’t until after the Act of Proscription had been repealed in 1782 and the Revival of the Clans, led by Sir Walter Scott, took hold, McEwens sought to solidify their self-image. A crest and a motto were settled upon and a tartan recognised. No one knows whether these symbols of their identity related to or whatever such symbols were employed by Clan Ewen of Otter but they would like to think they did. There has been, at any rate, much scholarly attention paid to the importance of the oak tree to the people of Dalriada. Their crest is a large oak stump, sprouting new growth. Their motto is Reviresco (I grow strong again)
Clan Carruthers
- Peter Carruthers of Holmains, 22nd hereditary Chief of Carruthers
- Hailing from Annandale in the Scottish Borders and the area around the Brythonic fort of Ryddrrch (Ruthers), their name was first recorded in the 11th century, being used by Willam de Carruthers, who as a vassal of the Bruces, held lands in Annandale. It is believed that they are from Celtic stock (not Gael) and had lived in the area since at least the time of the Celtic tribes. Thomas Carruthers, great grandson of William was presented with a charter of land in 1322 from King Robert the Bruce, and so began the line of Carruthers of Mouswald, These estates grew into a barony until the death of their Chief in 1548 and that line became extinct, at which point the Chiefship passed to Carruthers of Holmains, their first cousins, where it lies to this day. Their crest is a seraphim volant proper and their motto is Promptus et Fidelis (ready and fathful).
This Bond of Friendship between Clan Chiefs is a representation of the strong connections and alliances that Scottish Clans and Families still maintain. This is only viable through the leadership and mutual agreement of those Chiefs involved.
Since I started on this journey in 2007, and with the help of others, we have achieved and continue to achieve our goal, which in turn is reflected in the reputation and acceptance that our family has attained in the wider clan society community both at home and abroad. We have a recognised Chief whose lineage goes back into the mists of time, we have a ‘braw’ tartan in whose threads our history is reflected and we have a strong international clan structure to support it our name worldwide.
The Chief, his good lady Madam Judith of Holmains and the Convenor, Capt. Michael Carruthers FSAScot, will attend the above ceremony on our behalf. Another proud day for us as an ancient Border Reiver riding family.
Promptus et Fidelis Non Sto Solus
I love seeing this! So glad the Carruthers are part of this.