William Hunter was born at Long Calderwood in 1718. To further his learning he moved to London in 1741. He was to become a leading teacher in anatomy and the outstanding obstetrician of his day. In 1764 he was the personal physician to Queen Charlotte. William remained unmarried and spent a lot of his considerable fortune on collecting art, books and other curious. In his will he bequeathed his entire, substantial, collection to Glasgow University together with a stipend to build and maintain a house to contain them. The Hunterian Museum in Glasgow opened in 1807.

Robert Hunter born 1666 in Edinburgh. Grandson of the 20th Laird, took out a commission in the army in 1689. He fought in the Spanish Succession, Blenheim and Ramillies managing to reach the rank of Colonel. Captured by the French in 1707 and released under a mutual hostage swap. Governor of New York and New Jersey 1710 to 1720. Governor of Jamaica from 1727 until he expired in 1734. Robert was well educated corresponding in Latin, French and Spanish as the situation required. He also wrote a Biographical farce in 1714, partly as a way of embarrassing the local politicians who seemed to constantly oppose his plans. Titled Androboros it holds the record as the first play in America to be printed and also the earliest political satire recorded which gives a unique historical insight to the political scene at that period.