The castle was once the residence of a cadet branch of
Clan Lamont. It was first recorded in 1581, although its origins may date back to the mid-
15th century. In 1646, the castle was besieged and ultimately destroyed by
Clan Campbell, during the event now known as the Massacre of Dunoon. The
Cowal Peninsula had been under the Lamont family’s control since the reign of
David II, with Ardlamont and Ascog recorded as their lands between the 15th and 16th centuries. The first documentary reference to a castle at Ascog dates from 1581. In 1646, during the Civil Wars, the castle was attacked and destroyed by Campbell forces and was not rebuilt, although the estate returned to the Lamonts following the
Restoration of Charles II. The surviving tower is rectangular, featuring a vaulted ground floor, two mural chambers, two upper storeys, and a latrine in the north-west angle, with mural staircases connecting the floors. Although older accounts indicate the existence of courtyard walls and a round tower, no visible traces remain. Architecturally, the tower bears similarities to
Kilchurn Castle, which dates from the 15th century. == References ==