21/07/2025
The Hunterston Brooch - The Hunterston Brooch is a highly important Celtic brooch made about AD700 found at Hunterston, Ayrshire, in 1826. It is a highly accomplished casting of silver, richly mounted with gold, silver and amber decoration. The brooch was probably made at a royal site such as Dunadd in Argyll, a royal power centre of Gaelic kings, which also has important links to Ireland.
The owner of the brooch is unknown, but it is believed that it would have been owned by a person of high status. In the centre of the brooch is a cross flanking a golden ‘Glory’ representing the risen Christ. On the back of the brooch, is an inscription carved in Scandinavian runes, added 200 years after the brooch was made. The inscription translates as ‘Melbrigda owns this brooch’. An exact replica of the brooch is on display in Hunterston Castle, in North Ayrshire, the historic home of the lairds of Clan Hunter. 🧡
Photo Credit: National Museum of Scotland.(currently on display).
