Lamont (Toward) Castle

The names "Toward Castle" and "Lamont Castle" both correctly refer to the 15th-century ruins in this video, though they serve different purposes in identifying the site. While "Toward Castle" is the formal geographical name, "Lamont Castle" is used to honor its history as the ancestral seat of Clan Lamont. The Story of Lamont Castle: From Royalty to Ruin: 1. The Rise of Clan Lamont (15th–16th Century) Perched on a hill overlooking the Firth of Clyde, Toward Castle was built in the 1400s as the primary seat of Clan Lamont, who had ruled the Cowal peninsula since at least the year 1200. In its prime, it was a formidable stronghold featuring a vaulted tower, a decorated arched gateway, and a grand hall fit for the highest nobility. Its most prestigious moment came in 1563, when Mary, Queen of Scots visited the castle to stay with the Lamonts during a royal tour. 2. The Great Betrayal: The Dunoon Massacre (1646) The castle's glory ended in blood during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. In 1646, their rivals, Clan Campbell, besieged Toward and Asgog Castles. The Broken Promise: After a two-week siege, Sir James Lamont surrendered on the condition that his people would be allowed to go free. The Slaughter: The Campbells reneged on the agreement. They captured over 200 Lamont men, women, and children. A Dark Legacy: The prisoners were taken to Dunoon, where 36 men were famously hanged from a single ash tree, while others were buried alive or stabbed to death - the Campbells then looted and burned Toward Castle. Local legends say the "angry spirits" of the Lamonts still roam the 15th-century ruins, unable to move on from the Campbell betrayal. 3. The Mansion of an Empire: "Castle Toward" (1820) The old ruins were never rebuilt. Instead, in 1820, a wealthy Glasgow merchant named Kirkman Finlay bought the land. He commissioned the famous architect David Hamilton to build a grand Gothic Revival mansion nearby, which he named Castle Toward. Finlay was a man of immense industry; he famously planted over five million trees on the estate and transformed the rugged land into a model of modern farming. 4. WWII and HMS Brontosaurus: During the Second World War, the mansion took on a surprising new identity. It was requisitioned as a military training centre and commissioned as HMS Brontosaurus. D-Day Training: It became a prestigious institution for training soldiers in amphibious landings and beach raids. Famous Visitors: The estate's importance was so great that it was visited by both Winston Churchill and Lord Mountbatten during the war.