Eilean Donan Castle is perhaps the most photographed castle in Scotland: it stands on a small rocky island at the point where three sea lochs meet, Loch Duich, Loch Long and Loch Alsh, in the western Highlands, and is linked to the shore by an arched stone bridge. Surrounded by mountains and waters that change colour with the light, it looks like something out of a fairy tale, and indeed it has appeared in dozens of films. It lies on the road to the Isle of Skye.
History
The name means "island of Donnán", after the Irish saint who, according to tradition, founded a small community here in the 7th century. The first castle was built in the 13th century to defend the area against Viking raids, and later became a stronghold of Clan Mackenzie, with the Macraes as its keepers. In 1719, during one of the Jacobite risings, the castle was occupied by a small contingent of Spanish soldiers who had come to support the Stuart cause. Three Royal Navy ships bombarded it and English soldiers blew up the gunpowder: for almost two centuries it lay in ruins.
Between 1912 and 1932 Lieutenant Colonel John MacRae-Gilstrap faithfully rebuilt it, based on the ruins and old drawings, and added the access bridge. Today the castle is run by a charitable trust linked to Clan Macrae. For Jacobite history see also Culloden.
- 7th centurySt Donnán founds a community on the island
- 13th centuryThe first castle is built
- 1719The castle, held by Spanish soldiers, is destroyed
- 1912John MacRae-Gilstrap begins the rebuilding
- 1932The rebuilt castle is opened
What to see
The bridge and the castle
You enter by crossing the stone bridge and passing under the gateway. Inside you visit the Banqueting Hall, with its beamed ceiling, the clan's weapons and portraits, the bedrooms furnished with period furniture, the reconstructed kitchen with figures of cooks and servants, and an exhibition on the history of the castle and Clan Macrae. There are also objects connected with the Jacobite risings.
The landscape
The castle should also be admired from outside. From the shore, from the car park and from a viewpoint on the road towards Dornie you get the most famous views, with the mountains of Kintail in the background and the walls reflected in the water. At low tide you can walk on the rocks around the islet.
The castle on screen
Eilean Donan has appeared in many films, including Highlander (1986), where it was the home of the hero's clan, and the James Bond film The World Is Not Enough (1999), where it housed MI6's Scottish headquarters.
Practical information
The castle is open from February to December, with shorter hours in the colder months; the visitor centre has a café and a shop. Photography is not allowed inside. It is very busy in summer, so it pays to arrive early. Opening times and prices are on the official website.
Getting there
- By car: along the A87, the road to Skye, near the village of Dornie; about two hours from Inverness and 15 minutes from the Skye Bridge.
- By bus: scheduled coaches between Inverness or Glasgow and Skye stop at Dornie.
- By train: to Kyle of Lochalsh, on the scenic line from Inverness, then a bus or taxi.
- By air: Inverness Airport is about two hours away.
Nearby
- The Isle of Skye, with the Cuillin mountains, the Old Man of Storr and the Fairy Pools.
- The Five Sisters of Kintail and the Falls of Glomach.
- The village of Plockton, with palm trees on the seafront. See also Scotland.
Tips
- How long: an hour for the castle, longer for photos.
- When to go: May to September; at sunset the light on the castle is magical.
- A tip: come back to see it in the evening, when the castle is floodlit and the coaches have gone.