Clan Lamont
Encyclopedia
Clan Lamont is a Highland
Scottish clan
. Clan Lamont claim descent from Lauman who lived in Cowal
in 1238. Tradition gives this Lauman a descent from an Irish prince of the O'Neill dynasty
, Ánrothán Ua Néill, son of Áed, son of Flaithbertach Ua Néill
, King of Ailech and Cenél nEógain
, died 1036. Clan Lamont like several other clans, such as Clan MacEwen of Otter, Clan Maclachlan
, Clan MacNeil of Barra, and the MacSweens
, all claim descent from Anrothan O'Neill, who left Ireland for Kintyre
in the 11th century. From this descent the clan claims a descent from the legendary Niall Noigíallach, High King of Ireland
, who lived in the period between the mid-4th century and early 5th century.
The darkest era of Clan Lamont was during the middle of the 17th century when about 100 Lamonts were massacred at Dunoon
in 1646 by their powerful neighbours the Campbells
. The clan did not take part in the Jacobite Risings. In the 19th century the clan chief emigrated to Australia, where the present chief of the clan lives. The clan lives today as the Clan Lamont Society, which was formed in 1895. The society meets once a year and accepts membership from anyone bearing the surname
Lamont or any of the clan's associated names.
Lamont
has several origins, though in regards to this clan it originates in Scotland
and Northern Ireland
. The name is derived from the medieval personal name
Lagman (Lawspeaker
) which is from the Old Norse
Logmaðr. The Old Norse name Logmaðr is composed to two elements: log which is plural of lag meaning "law" (from leggja meaning "to lay down") + maðr meaning "man".
and the lands of "quas nos et antecessores nostri apud Kilmun habuerunt" to Paisley Abbey
. Lauman's name appears in another charter, dated 1295, "Malcolmus filius er haeres domini quondam Laumani". The fact this Lauman is the ancestor of the clan is proved in an instrument in 1466 between the monastery of Paisley and John Lamont of that Ilk, regarding the lands of Kilfinan, which are specifically said to have been held by John Lamont's ancestors. From Lauman the Lamonts take their name and are styled as Mac Laomainn. It is said that before the time of Lauman, the family was known as Mac'erachar (son of Fearchar), the grandfather of Lauman, who lived around 1200.
The early chiefs of the clan were described as "The Great MacLamont of all Cowal" . In 1456 a John Lamont was baillie
of Cowal. Later in around 1463 the lands belonging to Lamont of that Ilk fell to the Crown
by reason of non-entry, and for almost a century were held by a branch of the family known as the Lamonts of Inveria.
. After the two men had made camp at nightfall they eventually became embroiled in a quarrel at the end of which Lamont grabbed his dirk and MacGregor was mortally wounded. The son of The Lamont then fled, hotly pursued by MacGregor's furious retainers, until losing his way he eventually made it to the house of the The MacGregor himself. On hearing that Lamont was fleeing for his life promised Lamont protection. Soon though, the old MacGregor guessed it was his own son who had been slain, but considered himself bound to the Highland laws of hospitality, saying "Here this night you shall be safe". With the arrival of the furious MacGregor clansman who pursued the young Lamont the MacGregor chief was true to his word and protected Lamont from his clansmen's vengeance. Later, while it was still dark, the chief had Lamont personally conducted to Dunderave on Loch Fyne
and provided him with a boat and oars. "Flee for your life; in your own country we shall pursue you. Save yourself if you can!"
Years later a ragged man appeared at Toward Castle desperately seeking shelter. The man was MacGregor of Glenstrae who had been stripped of lands and possessions and was fleeing for his life. The Lamont chief remembered the honourable deed of MacGregor and took him and protected MacGregor. The old MacGregor lived with Lamont for years until his death, and was buried in honour in the little graveyard at the chapel of St Mary on the farm of Toward-an-Uilt, where MacGregor's grave could be pointed out.
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The darkest era of Clan Lamont was undoubtedly during the mid 17th century which ended in what is known as the Dunoon massacre. The chief of the clan during this time was Sir James Lamont of that Ilk. In 1634 Sir James represented the Barons of Argyll in Parliament, though two years later he was plotting for the Royalist
cause with other clan chiefs such as, Macdonald of Sleat, Macleod of Dunvegan, Maclean of Duart, Stuart of Bute, and Stewart of Ardgowan. Though once the Earl of Argyll
(the chief of Clan Campbell
) found out Lamont was forced to recant his position.
With the start of the following Wars of the Three Kingdoms
, Lamont was sent a charter by Charles I of Scotland to crush the rebels - the Campbells. Even though the Lamont chief was a Royalist sympathiser he had no choice but to join forces with the superior forces of the Earl of Argyll. After the Covenanter
loss at the Battle of Inverlochy
Sir James was released by the Royalist victors and then sided with the Marquess of Montrose
and actively supported the Royalist cause. Sir James Lamont of that Ilk then joined forces with Alasdair MacColla
and together they invaded the lands of the Campbells. Sir James' brother, Archibald, led a force of Lamonts across Loch Long
and together with MacColla's Irish contingent they landed at the Point of Strone. Their force then laid waste to large areas under Campbell control. The Lamonts were particularly brutal in North Cowal, and singled out Dunoon
- the scene of an earlier massacre of Lamonts by Campbells. During the destruction their forces wrought on the Campbells, MacColla's men committed many atrocities and even the Lamonts themselves when they attacked the Tower of Kilmun. Once the tower had surrendered under promise of their lives being spared, the prisoners were then "taken thrie myles from the place and most cruelly put to Death, except one who was in the hot fever". Sir James Lamont ravaged the lands of Strachur
, killing thirty-three men, women and children. His force destroyed much grain and drove off 340 cattle and horses.
Several months later in May 1646 while the Lamonts were home at castles of Toward and Ascog they were besieged by Campbell forces seeking revenge. By June 1, 1646 the Campbells had cannon brought to shell the Lamont strongholds. Two days later Sir James Lamont, in a written agreement of quarter
and liberty for himself and his followers surrendered and persuaded the other garrison at Ascog Castle to likewise laydown arms and surrender to the Campbells. Although the Campbells had agreed to the Lamonts terms of surrender, they immediately took the surrendered garrisons to Dunoon by boat. The Lamont strongholds were then looted and burnt to the ground. Sir James and his closest kin were shipped to Inverary and he was held in the dungeons of Dunstaffnage Castle
for the next five years. In the churchyard at Dunoon about a hundred Lamonts were sentenced to death and executed. Thirty-six of the clan's high-ranking gentlemen were hanged from a tree in the churchyard, cut down and then buried either dead or alive in a common grave. After languishing in captivity for years Sir James Lamont was brought to Stirling Castle
in 1651 to answer for his actions with Alasdair MacColla for their devastations in Argyll. Lamont was eventually spared trial though, when Charles II of Scotland led his ill-fated Scots forces into England to be later defeated at the Battle of Worcester
. Lamont was finally released when the forces of Oliver Cromwell
took Stirling
. It has been reputed that the total damage inflicted by the Campbells upon the Lamont estates was in excess of £600,000 Scots
(£50,000 sterling
). Argyll himself was able to recover £2,900 Scots (almost £245 sterling) for the entertainment and lodging of the Lamont chief while in captivity.
In 1662, the ringleader of the massacre, Sir Colin Campbell, was brought to justice. He stood trial, was found guilty and beheaded
.
. The current chief is a parish priest in Marayong
(a suburb of Sydney
), New South Wales
, Australia.
The Lamont-Campbells of Possil (see Carter-Campbell of Possil), were one of the few instances where the Lamonts turned the tables on the Campbells. The Campbells acquired much of the Lamont lands in Cowal by means fair and foul. One of the fair ways was for a Campbell to marry a Lamont heiress, and so inherit the estate. This is an instance of the reverse. In 1844, othe 20th Chief, Archibald James Lamont, married Harriet Campbell of Possil after the death of his first wife. Their son, Celestine Norman Lamont, born in 1858, then inherited Possil, and became the first Lamont Campbell of Possil. The addition of the Campbell name was a condition of the inheritance. They remained Lamonts, subject to the Chief of Clan Lamont. The estates were located north of Glasgow, separated from the traditional land in Cowal. Mrs. Margaret Lamont-Campbell was one of the founders of the Clan Lamont Society (Scotland), in 1895.
In 1906 a memorial was erected by the Clan Lamont Society at Dunoon. The memorial, which consists of a stone Celtic Cross
, commemorates the many Lamonts who were killed in 1646. Every year the society lays a wreath at Dunoon to commemorate the site. The society also provides the Lamont Shield at the Cowal Highland Gathering
, which is an award given to the best Juvenile (under 18) Solo piper
at the games.
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reflects this. The Lamont tartan differs from the Campbell in only that the lines centred on green are only white on the Lamont. There is a sample of the Lamont tartan in the collection of the Highland Society of London
which bears the seal and signature of the clan chief dating from around 1816.
Note: the source for all associated names is the Clan Lamont Society of North America website.
Scottish Highlands
The Highlands is an historic region of Scotland. The area is sometimes referred to as the "Scottish Highlands". It was culturally distinguishable from the Lowlands from the later Middle Ages into the modern period, when Lowland Scots replaced Scottish Gaelic throughout most of the Lowlands...
Scottish clan
Scottish clan
Scottish clans , give a sense of identity and shared descent to people in Scotland and to their relations throughout the world, with a formal structure of Clan Chiefs recognised by the court of the Lord Lyon, King of Arms which acts as an authority concerning matters of heraldry and Coat of Arms...
. Clan Lamont claim descent from Lauman who lived in Cowal
Cowal
thumb|Cowal shown within ArgyllCowal is a peninsula in Argyll and Bute in the Scottish Highlands.-Description:The northern part of Cowal is mostly the mountainous Argyll Forest Park. Cowal is separated from the Kintyre peninsula to the west by Loch Fyne, and from Inverclyde and North Ayrshire to...
in 1238. Tradition gives this Lauman a descent from an Irish prince of the O'Neill dynasty
O'Neill dynasty
The O'Neill dynasty is a group of families that have held prominent positions and titles throughout European history. The O'Neills take their name from Niall Glúndub, an early 10th century High King of Ireland from the Cenél nEógain...
, Ánrothán Ua Néill, son of Áed, son of Flaithbertach Ua Néill
Flaithbertach Ua Néill
Flaithbertach Ua Néill was king of Ailech, a kingdom of north-west Ireland. He abdicated in 1030 and undertook a pilgrimage to Rome, for which reason he was known as Flaithbertach an Trostáin...
, King of Ailech and Cenél nEógain
Cenél nEógain
Cenél nEóġain is the name of the "kindred" or descendants of Eógan mac Néill , son of Niall Noígiallach who founded the kingdom of Tír Eoghain in the 5th century...
, died 1036. Clan Lamont like several other clans, such as Clan MacEwen of Otter, Clan Maclachlan
Clan MacLachlan
Clan Maclachlan, also known as Clan Lachlan, is a Highland Scottish clan that historically centred on the lands of Strathlachlan on Loch Fyne, Argyll on the west coast of Scotland...
, Clan MacNeil of Barra, and the MacSweens
Clan Sweeney
Clan Sweeney is an Irish clan of Scottish origin. The clan did not permanently settle in Ireland before the beginning of the 14th century, when they became Gallowglass soldiers for the O'Donnell dynasty of Tyrconnell...
, all claim descent from Anrothan O'Neill, who left Ireland for Kintyre
Kintyre
Kintyre is a peninsula in western Scotland, in the southwest of Argyll and Bute. The region stretches approximately 30 miles , from the Mull of Kintyre in the south, to East Loch Tarbert in the north...
in the 11th century. From this descent the clan claims a descent from the legendary Niall Noigíallach, High King of Ireland
High King of Ireland
The High Kings of Ireland were sometimes historical and sometimes legendary figures who had, or who are claimed to have had, lordship over the whole of Ireland. Medieval and early modern Irish literature portrays an almost unbroken sequence of High Kings, ruling from Tara over a hierarchy of...
, who lived in the period between the mid-4th century and early 5th century.
The darkest era of Clan Lamont was during the middle of the 17th century when about 100 Lamonts were massacred at Dunoon
Dunoon
Dunoon is a resort town situated on the Cowal Peninsula in Argyll, Scotland. It sits on the Firth of Clyde to the south of Holy Loch and to the west of Gourock.-Waterfront:...
in 1646 by their powerful neighbours the Campbells
Clan Campbell
Clan Campbell is a Highland Scottish clan. Historically one of the largest, most powerful and most successful of the Highland clans, their lands were in Argyll and the chief of the clan became the Earl and later Duke of Argyll.-Origins:...
. The clan did not take part in the Jacobite Risings. In the 19th century the clan chief emigrated to Australia, where the present chief of the clan lives. The clan lives today as the Clan Lamont Society, which was formed in 1895. The society meets once a year and accepts membership from anyone bearing the surname
Surname
A surname is a name added to a given name and is part of a personal name. In many cases, a surname is a family name. Many dictionaries define "surname" as a synonym of "family name"...
Lamont or any of the clan's associated names.
History
The surnameSurname
A surname is a name added to a given name and is part of a personal name. In many cases, a surname is a family name. Many dictionaries define "surname" as a synonym of "family name"...
Lamont
Lamont (name)
Lamont , also spelt LaMont , is a surname with several different origins, one Scottish and Northern Irish, the other in French.*In some cases the surname originates in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The name is derived from the medieval personal name Lagman which is from the Old Norse Logmaðr...
has several origins, though in regards to this clan it originates in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
and Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. The name is derived from the medieval personal name
Personal name
A personal name is the proper name identifying an individual person, and today usually comprises a given name bestowed at birth or at a young age plus a surname. It is nearly universal for a human to have a name; except in rare cases, for example feral children growing up in isolation, or infants...
Lagman (Lawspeaker
Lawspeaker
A lawspeaker is a unique Scandinavian legal office. It has its basis in a common Germanic oral tradition, where wise men were asked to recite the law, but it was only in Scandinavia that the function evolved into an office...
) which is from the Old Norse
Old Norse
Old Norse is a North Germanic language that was spoken by inhabitants of Scandinavia and inhabitants of their overseas settlements during the Viking Age, until about 1300....
Logmaðr. The Old Norse name Logmaðr is composed to two elements: log which is plural of lag meaning "law" (from leggja meaning "to lay down") + maðr meaning "man".
Origins
The first record of the Lamonts is found in the mid 13th century, when "Laumanus filius Malcolmi, nepos Duncani, filius Fearchar" appears in a feudal charter conveying Kilmur and Loch GilpLoch Gilp
Loch Gilp is a small inlet on Loch Fyne which gives its name to Lochgilphead. The Crinan Canal extends from the loch across to Crinan itself....
and the lands of "quas nos et antecessores nostri apud Kilmun habuerunt" to Paisley Abbey
Paisley Abbey
Paisley Abbey is a former Cluniac monastery, and current Church of Scotland parish kirk, located on the east bank of the White Cart Water in the centre of the town of Paisley, Renfrewshire, in west central Scotland.-History:...
. Lauman's name appears in another charter, dated 1295, "Malcolmus filius er haeres domini quondam Laumani". The fact this Lauman is the ancestor of the clan is proved in an instrument in 1466 between the monastery of Paisley and John Lamont of that Ilk, regarding the lands of Kilfinan, which are specifically said to have been held by John Lamont's ancestors. From Lauman the Lamonts take their name and are styled as Mac Laomainn. It is said that before the time of Lauman, the family was known as Mac'erachar (son of Fearchar), the grandfather of Lauman, who lived around 1200.
The early chiefs of the clan were described as "The Great MacLamont of all Cowal" . In 1456 a John Lamont was baillie
Baillie
A baillie or bailie is a civic officer in the local government of Scotland. The position arose in the burghs, where baillies formerly held a post similar to that of an alderman or magistrate...
of Cowal. Later in around 1463 the lands belonging to Lamont of that Ilk fell to the Crown
James III of Scotland
James III was King of Scots from 1460 to 1488. James was an unpopular and ineffective monarch owing to an unwillingness to administer justice fairly, a policy of pursuing alliance with the Kingdom of England, and a disastrous relationship with nearly all his extended family.His reputation as the...
by reason of non-entry, and for almost a century were held by a branch of the family known as the Lamonts of Inveria.
MacGregor hospitality
There is a tradition of Highland hospitality and chivalry that concerns Clan Lamont and Clan Gregor. The story is supposed to take place around the year 1600. The son of the chief of Clan Lamont and the only son of MacGregor of Glenstrae, chief of Clan Gregor, went hunting together on the shores of Loch AweLoch Awe
Loch Awe is a large body of water in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It has also given its name to a village on its banks, variously known as Loch Awe, or Lochawe. There are islands within the loch such as Innis Chonnell and Inishail.- The loch :It is the third largest freshwater loch in Scotland with...
. After the two men had made camp at nightfall they eventually became embroiled in a quarrel at the end of which Lamont grabbed his dirk and MacGregor was mortally wounded. The son of The Lamont then fled, hotly pursued by MacGregor's furious retainers, until losing his way he eventually made it to the house of the The MacGregor himself. On hearing that Lamont was fleeing for his life promised Lamont protection. Soon though, the old MacGregor guessed it was his own son who had been slain, but considered himself bound to the Highland laws of hospitality, saying "Here this night you shall be safe". With the arrival of the furious MacGregor clansman who pursued the young Lamont the MacGregor chief was true to his word and protected Lamont from his clansmen's vengeance. Later, while it was still dark, the chief had Lamont personally conducted to Dunderave on Loch Fyne
Loch Fyne
Loch Fyne is a sea loch on the west coast of Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It extends inland from the Sound of Bute, making it the longest of the sea lochs...
and provided him with a boat and oars. "Flee for your life; in your own country we shall pursue you. Save yourself if you can!"
Years later a ragged man appeared at Toward Castle desperately seeking shelter. The man was MacGregor of Glenstrae who had been stripped of lands and possessions and was fleeing for his life. The Lamont chief remembered the honourable deed of MacGregor and took him and protected MacGregor. The old MacGregor lived with Lamont for years until his death, and was buried in honour in the little graveyard at the chapel of St Mary on the farm of Toward-an-Uilt, where MacGregor's grave could be pointed out.
Dunoon massacre
Cavalier
Cavalier was the name used by Parliamentarians for a Royalist supporter of King Charles I and son Charles II during the English Civil War, the Interregnum, and the Restoration...
cause with other clan chiefs such as, Macdonald of Sleat, Macleod of Dunvegan, Maclean of Duart, Stuart of Bute, and Stewart of Ardgowan. Though once the Earl of Argyll
Archibald Campbell, 7th Earl of Argyll
Archibald Campbell, 7th Earl of Argyll , also called "Gillesbuig Grumach", was a Scottish politician and military leader.-Biography:...
(the chief of Clan Campbell
Clan Campbell
Clan Campbell is a Highland Scottish clan. Historically one of the largest, most powerful and most successful of the Highland clans, their lands were in Argyll and the chief of the clan became the Earl and later Duke of Argyll.-Origins:...
) found out Lamont was forced to recant his position.
With the start of the following Wars of the Three Kingdoms
Wars of the Three Kingdoms
The Wars of the Three Kingdoms formed an intertwined series of conflicts that took place in England, Ireland, and Scotland between 1639 and 1651 after these three countries had come under the "Personal Rule" of the same monarch...
, Lamont was sent a charter by Charles I of Scotland to crush the rebels - the Campbells. Even though the Lamont chief was a Royalist sympathiser he had no choice but to join forces with the superior forces of the Earl of Argyll. After the Covenanter
Covenanter
The Covenanters were a Scottish Presbyterian movement that played an important part in the history of Scotland, and to a lesser extent in that of England and Ireland, during the 17th century...
loss at the Battle of Inverlochy
Battle of Inverlochy (1645)
The Battle of Inverlochy was a battle of the Scottish Civil War in which Montrose routed the pursuing forces of the Marquess of Argyll....
Sir James was released by the Royalist victors and then sided with the Marquess of Montrose
James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose
James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose was a Scottish nobleman and soldier, who initially joined the Covenanters in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, but subsequently supported King Charles I as the English Civil War developed...
and actively supported the Royalist cause. Sir James Lamont of that Ilk then joined forces with Alasdair MacColla
Alasdair MacColla
Alasdair Mac Colla was a Scottish soldier. His full name in Scottish Gaelic was Alasdair Mac Colla Chiotaich Mac Domhnuill . He is sometimes mistakenly referred to in English as "Collkitto", a nickname that properly belongs to his father. He fought in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, most notably...
and together they invaded the lands of the Campbells. Sir James' brother, Archibald, led a force of Lamonts across Loch Long
Loch Long
Loch Long is a body of water in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. The sea loch extends from the Firth of Clyde at its southwestern end. It measures approximately 20 miles in length, with a width of between one and two miles...
and together with MacColla's Irish contingent they landed at the Point of Strone. Their force then laid waste to large areas under Campbell control. The Lamonts were particularly brutal in North Cowal, and singled out Dunoon
Dunoon
Dunoon is a resort town situated on the Cowal Peninsula in Argyll, Scotland. It sits on the Firth of Clyde to the south of Holy Loch and to the west of Gourock.-Waterfront:...
- the scene of an earlier massacre of Lamonts by Campbells. During the destruction their forces wrought on the Campbells, MacColla's men committed many atrocities and even the Lamonts themselves when they attacked the Tower of Kilmun. Once the tower had surrendered under promise of their lives being spared, the prisoners were then "taken thrie myles from the place and most cruelly put to Death, except one who was in the hot fever". Sir James Lamont ravaged the lands of Strachur
Strachur (Scotland)
Strachur and Strathlachlan are united parishes in the west side of Cowal, Argyll, Scotland. Strachur is the postal station, and the parish is traversed by the shortest line of communication between Inverary and Glasgow, via the St.Catherine's ferry on Loch Fyne...
, killing thirty-three men, women and children. His force destroyed much grain and drove off 340 cattle and horses.
Several months later in May 1646 while the Lamonts were home at castles of Toward and Ascog they were besieged by Campbell forces seeking revenge. By June 1, 1646 the Campbells had cannon brought to shell the Lamont strongholds. Two days later Sir James Lamont, in a written agreement of quarter
Mercy
Mercy is broad term that refers to benevolence, forgiveness and kindness in a variety of ethical, religious, social and legal contexts.The concept of a "Merciful God" appears in various religions from Christianity to...
and liberty for himself and his followers surrendered and persuaded the other garrison at Ascog Castle to likewise laydown arms and surrender to the Campbells. Although the Campbells had agreed to the Lamonts terms of surrender, they immediately took the surrendered garrisons to Dunoon by boat. The Lamont strongholds were then looted and burnt to the ground. Sir James and his closest kin were shipped to Inverary and he was held in the dungeons of Dunstaffnage Castle
Dunstaffnage Castle
Dunstaffnage Castle is a partially ruined castle in Argyll and Bute, western Scotland. It lies N.N.E. of Oban, situated on a platform of conglomerate rock on a promontory at the south-west of the entrance to Loch Etive, and is surrounded on three sides by the sea.The castle dates back to the 13th...
for the next five years. In the churchyard at Dunoon about a hundred Lamonts were sentenced to death and executed. Thirty-six of the clan's high-ranking gentlemen were hanged from a tree in the churchyard, cut down and then buried either dead or alive in a common grave. After languishing in captivity for years Sir James Lamont was brought to Stirling Castle
Stirling Castle
Stirling Castle, located in Stirling, is one of the largest and most important castles, both historically and architecturally, in Scotland. The castle sits atop Castle Hill, an intrusive crag, which forms part of the Stirling Sill geological formation. It is surrounded on three sides by steep...
in 1651 to answer for his actions with Alasdair MacColla for their devastations in Argyll. Lamont was eventually spared trial though, when Charles II of Scotland led his ill-fated Scots forces into England to be later defeated at the Battle of Worcester
Battle of Worcester
The Battle of Worcester took place on 3 September 1651 at Worcester, England and was the final battle of the English Civil War. Oliver Cromwell and the Parliamentarians defeated the Royalist, predominantly Scottish, forces of King Charles II...
. Lamont was finally released when the forces of Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell was an English military and political leader who overthrew the English monarchy and temporarily turned England into a republican Commonwealth, and served as Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland....
took Stirling
Stirling
Stirling is a city and former ancient burgh in Scotland, and is at the heart of the wider Stirling council area. The city is clustered around a large fortress and medieval old-town beside the River Forth...
. It has been reputed that the total damage inflicted by the Campbells upon the Lamont estates was in excess of £600,000 Scots
Pound Scots
The pound Scots was the national unit of currency in the Kingdom of Scotland before the country entered into political and currency union with the Kingdom of England in 1707 . It was introduced by David I, in the 12th century, on the model of English and French money, divided into 20 shillings...
(£50,000 sterling
Pound sterling
The pound sterling , commonly called the pound, is the official currency of the United Kingdom, its Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, British Antarctic Territory and Tristan da Cunha. It is subdivided into 100 pence...
). Argyll himself was able to recover £2,900 Scots (almost £245 sterling) for the entertainment and lodging of the Lamont chief while in captivity.
In 1662, the ringleader of the massacre, Sir Colin Campbell, was brought to justice. He stood trial, was found guilty and beheaded
Decapitation
Decapitation is the separation of the head from the body. Beheading typically refers to the act of intentional decapitation, e.g., as a means of murder or execution; it may be accomplished, for example, with an axe, sword, knife, wire, or by other more sophisticated means such as a guillotine...
.
Modern clan
The chiefs of Clan Lamont lived at Ardlamont until the last of their lands were sold in 1893 by the 21st chief, John Henry Lamont of Lamont, who emigrated to Australia. The present chief of the clan is Peter Noel Lamont of that Ilk, Chief of the Name and Arms of Lamont, who is a member of the Standing Council of Scottish ChiefsStanding Council of Scottish Chiefs
The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs is the organisation of the Chiefs of many prominent Scottish Clans. The SCSC is the definitive and authoritative body for information on the Scottish Clan System.-History:...
. The current chief is a parish priest in Marayong
Marayong, New South Wales
Marayong is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Marayong is located 38 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region....
(a suburb of Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
), New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, Australia.
Lamont-Campbell of Possil
Clan society
The Clan Lamont Society was formed in 1895 with the purpose to keep alive the values and traditions of the clan. The society meets every year and is organised by a Council consisting of the clan chief, a president, two vice-presidents, six councillors, a secretary, a treasurer, and editor of the Clan Lamont Journal. The Clan Lamont society offers three kinds of membership: Life, Annual, and Retainer. The cost of a life membership is £150, annual membership £25 and retainer membership £5.In 1906 a memorial was erected by the Clan Lamont Society at Dunoon. The memorial, which consists of a stone Celtic Cross
Celtic cross
A Celtic cross is a symbol that combines a cross with a ring surrounding the intersection. In the Celtic Christian world it was combined with the Christian cross and this design was often used for high crosses – a free-standing cross made of stone and often richly decorated...
, commemorates the many Lamonts who were killed in 1646. Every year the society lays a wreath at Dunoon to commemorate the site. The society also provides the Lamont Shield at the Cowal Highland Gathering
Cowal Highland Gathering
The Cowal Highland Gathering is an annual Highland games event held in the Scottish town of Dunoon, Argyll, over the final weekend in August.-History:...
, which is an award given to the best Juvenile (under 18) Solo piper
Bagpipes
Bagpipes are a class of musical instrument, aerophones, using enclosed reeds fed from a constant reservoir of air in the form of a bag. Though the Scottish Great Highland Bagpipe and Irish uilleann pipes have the greatest international visibility, bagpipes of many different types come from...
at the games.
Clan profile
Chief
- Clan chief: The Rev. Fr. Peter Noel Lamont of that Ilk, Chief of the Name and Arms of Lamont.
Crest badge, clan badge and pibroch
- Crest badge: Note: the crest badge is made up of the chief's heraldic crest and motto,
- Chief's crest: A hand couped at the wrist, proper.
- Chief's motto: Ne parcas nec spernas (translation from LatinLatinLatin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
: "Neither spare nor dispose").
- Clan badgeClan badgeA clan badge, sometimes called a plant badge, is a badge or emblem, usually a sprig of a specific plant, that is used to identify a member of a particular Scottish clan. They are usually worn in a bonnet behind the Scottish crest badge, or attached at the shoulder of a lady's tartan sash...
: Note: there have been several clan badges attributed to the clan,- Crab Apple Tree.
- DryasDryasDryas is the name of nine characters in Greek mythology1. Dryas was the son of King Lycurgus, king of the Edoni in Thrace. He was killed when Lycurgus went insane and mistook him for a mature trunk of ivy, a plant holy to the god Dionysus, whose cult Lycurgus was attempting to extirpate.Resisting...
(Latin: Octopetala) (Scottish Gaelic: Luidh Cheann).
- Pibroch: Spaidsearachd Chaiptein Mhic Laomainn.
Tartan
Clan Lamont is closely associated with Clan Campbell and the Lamont tartanTartan
Tartan is a pattern consisting of criss-crossed horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colours. Tartans originated in woven wool, but now they are made in many other materials. Tartan is particularly associated with Scotland. Scottish kilts almost always have tartan patterns...
reflects this. The Lamont tartan differs from the Campbell in only that the lines centred on green are only white on the Lamont. There is a sample of the Lamont tartan in the collection of the Highland Society of London
Highland Society of London
The Highland Society of London is a charity registered in England, with "the view of establishing and supporting schools in the Highlands and in the Northern parts of Great Britain, for relieving distressed Highlanders at a distance from their native homes, for preserving the antiquities and...
which bears the seal and signature of the clan chief dating from around 1816.
Associated names
The following is a list of surnames associated with Clan Lamont. Note that many of these names are also associated with other clans.- Aldownie, (and Aldowny)
- Bearden
- Black
- Blackie
- Blaik
- Blaikie
- Blake
- Blaker
- Blakey
- Broun
- Brown
- Burden
- Burdon
- Clement
- Gate
- Gates
- Lamb
- Lamant
- Lambie
- Lammie
- Lammon
- Lammond
- Lamon
- Lamond
- Lamond
- Lamondson
- Lamont
- Lander, (and Landers)
- Leeman
- Leemon
- Lemmon
- Lemmons
- Lemon
- Lemons
- Lemond
- Limon
- Limond
- Limont
- Lhomond
- Lomond
- Lucas
- Luck
- Luckie, (and Lucky)
- Luke
- MacAldowie
- MacAlduie
- MacClammie, (and MacClammy)
- MacClement, (and MacClements)
- MacCluckie, (and MacClucky)
- MacClymont
- MacEaracher
- MacErcher
- MacErracher
- MacFarquhar
- MacGilledow
- MacGillegowie
- MacGorie, (and MacGory)
- MacGorrie
- MacIldowie
- MacIlwham (and Wham)
- MacIlwhom
- MacInturner
- MacKerchar
- MacKerracher
- MacLammie, (and MacLammy)
- MacLamond
- MacLaren
- McLellan
- MacLemmon
- MacLemon
- MacLimans
- MacLucas
- MacLuckie, (and MacLucky)
- MacLugash
- MacLuke
- MacLusa
- MacLymont
- MacMunn
- MacPatrick
- MacPhunn
- MacSorley
- MacSurely
- Meickleam
- Meickleham
- Meikle
- Meikleham
- Meiklehem
- Meiklejohn
- Meiklem
- Munn
- Munt
- Paterson, (and Patersson)
- Patrick
- Phorich
- Sorlie, (and Sorly)
- Toward
- Towart
- Traverson
- Turner
- White
- Whyte
- Young
Note: the source for all associated names is the Clan Lamont Society of North America website.