The Clan Lamont is one of great antiquity and held considerable lands in Argyllshire, Scotland. An early name of the clan was Clan ’ic Fhearchair (Mackeracher). The Lamonts’ territory latterly was confined chiefly to Cowal.

In the early thirteenth century Laumun granted to the monks of Paisley certain lands at Kilmun and Kilfinan, and in 1456 John Lamont was Bailie of Cowal. John Lamont of Inveryne was Knighted in 1539 and had his lands united into the Barony of Inveryne. At this time his principal seat was Toward Castle, where he entertained Mary Queen of Scots in 1563.

During the disturbed period of the Civil War, several of the Campbell chiefs ravaged the Lamont country with fire and sword, destroying Toward and Ascog Castles, and in 1646 treacherously massacred 200 Lamonts, including thirty-six special gentlemen of the clan, at Dunoon. A mermorial commemorating the event was erected on the site by the Clan Lamont in 1906. The massacre formed one of the charges against the Marquess of Argyle for which he was executed in 1661. After the destruction of Toward Castle, Ardlamont became the principal residence of the chief. The family were connected by marriage with many of the titled families of Scotland. John, 19th Chief, commanded the Gordon Highlanders at Corunna in 1809.

There is a Clan Lamont Society with its headquarters in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Crest: A dexter hand couped at the wrist, proper. Badge: Crab-apple tree, Dryas. Pipe music: Captain Lamont’s March