A bit of history about the 1646 Lamont Massacre -

The terms of capitulation between the Lamonts and the Campbells were concluded on 3 June 1646. By ruse, Sir James Lamont and his sister, Isobel preserved a copy of the original terms (which would finally help lead Argyll to the scaffold in 1661). Sir James signed alone for his clan, whilst the "crook-mouths" that signed were Ardkinglas, Strachur, Dunstaffnage, Inverawe, Eilean Greg, one of the Lochnell family and a cadet of the Maclachlans. Here are quotes of the material clauses -

"Imprimis, it is agreed that the said Sir James Lamont shall oversign his house at Toward and shall have libertie to goe himself, his brethren, souldiers, wives and children, towards Sir Alexander Mack Donnald or anie of his quarters, who for that effect shall have a safe conduct, and boates sent along, who shall deliver them wihout anie harm of any person to bee done to them, under the said James' command without prejudice to such women as intend to go to the east side [to the lowlands], or to the Isle of Boote [Bute} to be safely conducted there with boats.

"Secondly, it is agreed that the said Sir James shall have libertie to transport out of the said house all baggage belonginge to himselfe or anie gentleman within the same, [excepting] anie such weapons as were gott in anie of the name of Campbell's houses or abroad in the fields.

"Fifthly, it is agreed that the said Sir James shall be reddie to remove with the baggage aforesaid before to-morrow at eight of the clocke in the morninge, the keepinge and keyes of the house being presently delivered to the aforesaid [Ardkinglas], or anue that he shall appoynt, and that a speciall man may se the baggage put up that nothinge be taken away but what is right."

Sir James must have been pleased with the arrangment, as it was written, which secured "indemnity in their person and fortunes". It is suggested that Sir James must have forgotten the warning, that "as long as trees are in the wood, there will be treachery in the Campbells".

The Lamonts were seized and bound. A similar truce was obtained at Ascog, after which both Ascog and Toward were reived and burned, the estates scoured and scorched, anumber of women and children were murdered in cod blood, thirty-six prominent clansmen were hanged in Dunoon, with many others dirked just after, the cheif and his brothers were carried to Inveraray, where they were robbed, imprisoned and threatened. The young Ascog and Auchagoyl were murdered. Finally, all the remaining lands and possessions were taken away.

An account of the tree upon which the thirty-six were hung follows -

"So that the Lord from heaven did declare his wrath and displeasure aginst the aforesaid inhumane cruewaltie, by striking of the tree quhairon they were hanged, ... being a lyvelie fresh growing ash tree...amongst many other fresh trees with leives...so that the haill leives fell from it, and the tree withered, never bearing leiff thereafter remaineing so be the space of tuo years; which being cutt doune thair sprang out of the verie heart of the roote thereof and spring lyk unto blood popling upe, runeing in several streams, all over the roote, and that for severall years thereafter, till the saidis murthereris or their favoureris perceaving that it was remarked by personnes of all rankis resorting thair to sie the miracle, they did cause holk out the rrote, covering the holl with earth, which was full of the said mater lyk blood."

Apparently they had some fear of the old saying, "long lasts the rod whose root has sprung from blood".

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