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This is without a doubt one of the most famous castles in Scotland! The Eilean Donan castle, is a medieval building that was built on a small island only connected by a stone bridge. The site is located in the county of Ross and Cromarty in the Highlands. Eilean Donan Castle is a historical landmark and a meeting place for tourists and travelers who come to discover the historical charm of old Scottish castles. And believe us, you won’t be disappointed!
Eileen Donan Castle – © EyesTravelling
It is everywhere when Scotland is represented… In Hollywood movies, on the covers of tourist guides… It must be said: Eilean Donan Castle is simply a must: a symbol of the Scottish country all by itself!
You will find it precisely in the Highlands region, built on a tiny island, on the loch Duich. You can reach it by crossing a historical bridge, which gives it an extra touch of romanticism.
As for its history, it is simply fascinating. The Eilean Donan castle would find its origins in the 13th century. It would have been built by the Scottish king Alexander II, to ensure a better defense against the Vikings, a people used to multiply the raids and plunders in Scotland.
It must be said that the castle is ideally located: it is at the crossroads of three maritime lochs… It was impossible for the Scandinavians to pass in front of the castle without being spotted!
Over the centuries, the face of Eilean Donan castle has greatly evolved. At the beginning of small size, it ended up occupying the quasi totality of the island at the level of its surface on the ground. It was enlarged, acquiring a walkway, defensive towers, and a keep.
But in the XIVth century, the castle was deeply reduced. The building, judged too big to defend, was disproportionate for the soldiers on duty. A reduction of its size allows then to make it easier to defend.
In the 16th century, the castle evolved further and was provided with a defensive platform, equipped with cannons. These weapons were very modern for their time!
Over the centuries, Eilean Donan Castle has been the scene of many warlike episodes. Thus, it would be here, that the future king of Scotland Robert I would have taken refuge while he was pursued by the English.
It would also be from this castle that he would have left to reconquer his throne, recovering it a few months later.
Clan wars also ensued… The castle faced the assaults of Scottish clans like the MacRaes and the MacDonalds.
The building then became the property of the MacKenzie clan in the 14th century.
During the First English Revolution in the middle of the 17th century, royalist troops were even temporarily stationed in the castle, the MacKenzie clan being opposed to the republicans.
During the 17th century, Scotland experienced the Glorious Revolution, which pitted the people against the British parliamentarians.
In response, Spain sent a garrison of almost 50 Jacobite soldiers to Eilean Donan in 1719, along with arms, cannons and powder in profusion. This armament precipitated hostilities between the Jacobites and the British government that had come to power with the revolution.
Thus, on May 10, 1719, the government sent three frigates, The Enterprise, The Flamborough and The Worcester and ordered the assault of the castle. The Eilean Donan castle was bombarded for 3 days. Although the ramparts held up particularly well, the attackers eventually regained control of the castle.
Unfortunately, the castle suffered considerable damage and was eventually abandoned. It then fell into oblivion until 1911, when John MacRae-Gilstrap bought the island…
In the 1910s, John MacRae-Gilstrap decided to restore the castle to its former splendor by undertaking extensive restoration and reconstruction work. The objective is to remain faithful to the historical architecture of the castle, and the work is carried out scrupulously, according to the original plans of the building (then preserved in Edinburgh).
The work was gigantic: it cost no less than 250,000 pounds sterling, and reconstituted the original castle with the greatest fidelity.
Once restored, it became a family property, open to the public. It then has :
Since then, the success of Eilean Donan castle is no longer to be made. And the area is well worth a visit!
Let’s face it: the Eilean Donan Castle is undoubtedly a hyper tourist place! The site counts every year between 300 000 and 400 000 visitors who come to discover the charm of this anthological castle!
As for the visit, you can discover the whole castle, with its architecture, its organization, its furniture and its decoration. Not to mention its magnificent view of the lake loch Duich.
You will discover the history of the MacRae clan, still owner of the castle, and who, by its attachment to tradition, has not ceased to preserve the Eilean Donan castle… while making it accessible to visitors.
You will discover many family souvenirs, photos, anecdotes, as well as ancestral stories about the Scottish clans that participated in the history of the castle.
Note that the castle is also a favorite place for weddings, but it is also possible to rent a room for the night!
A castle regularly used as a film location
If the view of Eilean Donan Castle is familiar to you (even though you’ve never been there before), you should know that it’s perfectly normal. The Scottish castle is regularly featured in Hollywood movies!
The building has been used in such notable films as Highlander (starring Christophe Lambert), Elizabeth (starring Cate Blanchett) and a James Bond film starring Pierce Brosnan.
All of which reinforces the fame of the MacRae castle… and demonstrates the beauty of the castles of Scotland!
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