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Post Info TOPIC: Castle Ascog
Knockdow


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Castle Ascog
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Castle Ascog in Kerry Castle Ascog is one of the two ancient Lamont strongholds built of stone. Kerry is the name given to the peninsula which bordered by Loch Fyne on one side and Loch Ridden and the Kyles of Bute on the other, terminates in Ardlamont Point.  Its use is to prevent confusion with Ascog in Bute, although there is no castle there.

The road running southwards from Kilfinan passes near Inveryne, which gives its name to the barony, and close to Loch Melldalloch with its small islands. From the highest point looking westwards, a glimpse can be had of Loch Ascog, an oval of water less than a mile long and half a mile wide, lying in a dip in the hills. Midway along, on a tiny promontory, stands the ruin of the old castle.

The Lamonts of Ascog were on record in 1477, but according to Sheriff McKechnie, the keep is much older than that, earlier than Castle Toward. A place-name nearby commemorates the name of Sir Lauman’s younger son, Malmory, who lived between 1270-1296. This is Achadalvory, “The filed of the house of Malmory”.

According to the Royal Charter of 1581, in which the Castle of Ascog is mentioned, Robert Lamont of Ascog, as well as having to be present at three annual courts of justice in Kerry, had to supply a well-found galley for himself, and if required, to accompany the chief on board the flagship. (This would fly the white lion rampant on a blue ground from the masthead)  These ships, known as birlinns, aft for the laird, forward for the pipers, and the gunwales between were fitted for seven to fifteen oars on each side.

In the 17th century there was another Robert of Ascog. He showed great interest in developing his property, and had established by the loch side plantings and orchards. His annual income has been estimated at about 1000 pounds and the value of the estate around 12,000 pounds. His was a time when neighbors were in need of money for the purchase of arms, in case they should be required for the defense of homes and land. Robert was able to lend to many, but borrowed little. Among those whom he obliged was the Laird of Lamont, who in later years did not deal generously with Roberts successors, although he, James Lamont, owed his life to Robert’s loyalty.

In 1646 Robert’s only son, Patrick, following the policy of the chief, who had decided to support the Royalists, was involved in attacks by Sir Alexander McDonald (son of Colkitto, and lieutenant of Montrose) on Campbell territory.

Retribution followed. A fierce battle was fought was fought for three days on the moor above Loch Ascog. It is thought that three of Robert’s brothers were killed in it. Robert had garrisoned the castle, and it was indicative of its strength that it withstood the siege. He was finally induced to yield when the opposing Campbells paraded the captive Lamont chief, whom they brought from Toward and threatened to kill unless Robert surrendered. His brother Duncan who had a Campbell wife, acted as intermediary. The terms of the capitulation were not observed, and their existence denied.

Castle, policies and orchards were set on fire. All in the house in Ascog were removed to Toward. Sheriff McKechnie wondered if Robert’s own galley were used for this purpose. Some were executed at Dunoon, and are among those commemorated by the memorial Stone near the site of the old castle of Dunoon: a place often visited during Clan Lamont gatherings in the district.

Robert, his son Patrick, and his brother Duncan, were taken to Inverary and then imprisoned in three Argyllshire Castles. Robert was given in into the custody of his daughter’s father-in-law, Campbell of Duntroon, near Crinan. Patrick was for a time in CarrickCastle, but was later taken again to Inverary, and to quote Sheriff Mckechnie, “politically murdered.” Duncan’s prison was near Castle Lachlan on Loch Fyneside opposite his own home of Stronalbanch, near Minard. Threatened with death, he signed away into Campbell ownership his lands of kames. He alone of the three survived until the time of Restoration, when he was able to give evidence about the disaster which had overwhelmed his kin.

As far as is known, castle Ascog, which had been badly damaged by the fire, was never occupied again by the family, but it seems always to have had a special place in the affections of the Clan.

Source: Kilfinan – Walks, History, Reminiscences – Mrs. H Fiona Torbet, editor of ‘Kilfinan’, Hon. Secretary and founder Ardlamont Preservation Society, Tignabruaich – Argyll, Scotland.

-- Edited by Knockdow at 21:14, 2008-12-10

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Knockdow


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Photos of Ascog in 2006, not much left. The land is now owned by the current Barron of Inveryne, Ronald Busch Reisinger.  







Loch Ascog



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Kilted Carver


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I wonderif there is any type of preservation programs for our two castles?

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Knockdow


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sadly NO

neither is owned by the clan. The current owners have no plans to restore or destroy them. slowly they will decay as vine and such do their damage.

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EoinDubh


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Back in the early 1950's Clan Donald, USA got together with the High Chief and created the Clan Donald Foundation, a non-profit 501C3 organization dedicated to collecting and maintaining the Clan hisyory and property. Over the years thay have bought back some of the ancient Clan lands and started restoring them. The focal point is the Clan Donald Center on the Isle of Skye. The castle there, dating from the 18th century,  had burned and the place was in ruins. It is now one of the showplaces of Skye. The grounds have been re-done, some of the building have been restored to house the offices and the Library of the Isles, a large collection of books and papers from the Clan.

Might be something to look into as a long term idea.

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