~ History ~

1457 ~ John Colquhoun, grandson of the Sherriff of Dumbarton, who had been killed by a band of Western Islesmen led by MacLean of Duart Castle, whilst leadin his followers in a last stand on the island of Inchmurrin in Loch Lomond, has his lands elevated to a 'free barony' of Luss by King James II, with the right of 'pit and gallows'. This effectively gives him local jurisdiction over life and death'. At Rossdhu the 'dule-tree' is where their justice is summarily dispensed.

1563 ~ Mary Queen of Scots, spends three nights at Rossdhu Castle as part of her progress into the West Highlands. During her stay she knights John Colquhoun of Luss.

1592 ~ Sir Humphrey Colquhoun enters into a fued with MacFarlane of Arrochar whose wife he has seduced. MacFarlane surprises Sir Humphrey when he arrives to meet his wife and is pursued past Rossdhu to his castle at Bannachra. During the short siege, Sir Humphrey is shot in the back by his own brother. MacFarlane then has the body mutilated and his genitals served up to his wife at dinner. The MacFarlanes also kidnap and ravish Sir Humphrey's daughter. Later, Sir Humphrey's brother is hanged for the murder.

1600 ~ The Colquhoun's of Luss build a new tower in stone on the southern shore of Loch Lomond, to replace an earlier stronghold on Eilean Rossdhu, located in the bay of the loch.

1603 ~  Alexander Colquhoun leads his clan into battle against their bitter neighbours Clan MacGregor, in the Battle of Glenfruin. The opposing commander Alasdair MacGregor of Glenstrae commands a force of MacGregor's, Cameron's, Robertson's, MacDonald's and MacLean's. 

A long standing fued had originated when two MacGregor men returning home to the head of Loch Rannoch from Glasgow, had requested food and shelter at Luss from the Colquhoun's. The accepted tradition among all Highland clans was that whoever sought food and shelter, no matter their clan or allegiance, hospitality would always be granted. Their request was refused because they were MacGregor's. They were forced to find shelter in an empty hut where they killed a lamb for food. Alexander Conquhoun, 17th Lord of Luss, had the two men apprehended and executed for killing one of his lambs. Word reached their clan chief, Alasdair MacGregor.

Alasdair led a raiding party of eighty men and attacked the Colquhoun lands around Rossdhu Castle, killing two people and driving off three hundred cows, one hundred horses, four hundred sheep, and four hundred goats.

In response to this raid, King James VI granted Colquhoun letters of Fire and Sword to move against the MacGregor's. The King having been swayed to the decision when presented with shirts of the fallen Coluhoun's, dipped in sheeps blood, carried by sham Colquhoun widows into Stirling Castle.

Angered by the King's commission against him and determined to enact revenge, Alasdair MacGregor of Glenstrae at the head of 400 men armed with “hagbuts, pistols, murrions, mailcoats, axes, two-handed swords and darlochs”.

On 7 February, they enter the head of Glen Fruin overlooking Colquhoun’s most arable farmland. On hearing of the threat approaching Alexander Colquhoun summons his retainers and men from Dumbartonshire – a force of around 300 horse and 500 foot – and heads out to meet them.

MacGregor splits his force sending his brother John Dubh to Strone Farm to be in a position to cut off Colquhoun’s retreat down Glen Fruin while he takes up position in a narrow defile in Auchengeich Glen ready to meet the expected attack.

As Colquhoun’s men move on MacGregors position they find themselves struggling across a bog, with the horsemen at a severe disadvantage. MacGregor launches a charge downhill and in the bloody melee rout Colquhoun’s force, with over eighty Colquhoun's slain. The battle continues to the gates of Rossdhu Castle. Alexander Colquhoun, with his horse killed beneath him, barely escapes the battle with his life and makes for the refuge of Bannachra Castle at the foot of the glen.

Some forty of Colquhoun's caverly who had been unhorsed early in the battle, are stripped of their armour and herded together as prisoners under the watch of Alan Oig MacIntnacg of Glencoe. This wild MacDonald, excluded from the fighting but fuelled with adrenaline at the sight of the massacre, stabs all the prisoners to death, so when Alasdair MacGregor arrives at the scene after the battle to see the prisoners, the highlander greets him brandishing his bloody dagger shouting 'Ask that of God help me!'. 

The MacGregor's go on a wild rampage, lifting 600 cattle, 800 sheep and goats, 240 horses and the entire removable wealth of Luss. Every house and barn throughout Colquhoun's lands are torched.

On hearing of the battle and massacre, a furious King James VI gives orders “That unhappie and detestable race” be ‘extirpat and ruttit out”.

Despite Alan Oig being tried and convicted of his crimes, it suits the agenda of MacGregor's enemies to put the entire blame on them. 

On 3 April, an Act of the Scottish Privy Council proscribes the use of the name MacGregor, or Gregor, and also prohibite those who had borne the name from carrying arms.

1604 ~ Alasdair Macgregor of Glenstrae is apprehended and after a trial is executed in Edinburgh.

1654 ~ Rossdhu Castle is attacked and captured by Oliver Cromwell's troops.

1770 ~ Much of the tower is demolished to provide stone for a new mansion.