Camelot International > Historic Roots
Lamont
The name of Clan Lamont comes from the Norse translation 'law-giver',
and once were a mighty clan prominent in the Lowlands area. The Clan
Campbell managed to reduce the considerable amount of lands held by
the Lamonts and eventually their lands were reduced to areas in Cowal.
The Lamont lands began as considerable amounts of land designated to
the monks of Paisley which included Kilmun and Kilfinan, and in 1456
John Lamont was Bialie of Cowal. Various honours were bestowed upon
the Lamonts such as the knighting of John Lamont of Inveryne with the
result of his lands being united in to the Barony of Inverkeyne. It
is recorded that John entertained Mary Queen of Scots in 1563.
It was in the period of the Civil War that the Campbells wrecked the
Lamont reign, by setting fire to and pillaging their lands, destroying
two of their most principal properties: Toward and Ascog Castles, and
later murdered two hundred of the Lamont clan at Dunoon. This massacre
aided the charges against the Marquis of Argyll who was executed in
1661. The chief of the clan at this time became the honour of Ardlamont.
Through marriage the clan gained access to some of the most titled
families in Scotland.
The 19th chief, John lead the Gordon Highlanders at Corunna in 1809.
Today the only Lamont to retain their historical lands are the Lamonts
of Knocklow.
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