Named after the small West Highland tidal island on which it sits and where the sea lochs of Loch Alsh, Loch Duich and Loch Long meet in majestic setting, Eilean Donan Castle has a history that stretches back through the dim mists of time. The medieval castle on the small tidal island of Eilean Donan, heavily restored in the early 20th century, may have occupied the site of an earlier fort, though evaluations in 2008 and further excavation in 2009 and 2010 did not encounter any remains of it. She was built in the mid 13th century as a fortified castle, for Alexander II as a defence against the Vikings, although it is believed She was first inhabited around the 6th century. Check out the pics from my visit! Eilean Donan or Eilean Donan Castle is one of the most famous castles in the world and the most beautiful castle in Scotland. The island was the site of a monastic cell founded by the Irish bishop, St Donan, which is where the name Eilean Donan (Island of Donan) came from. History tells us that the huge original castle and surrounding wall, which encompassed the whole island, was built by Kenneth MacKenzie, of the MacKenzie Clan. The area around the car park is the obvious one. Scenic Loch Duich and the Mam Ratagan Pass. Eilean Donan Castle is one of the most recognised castles in Scotland, and probably appears on more shortbread tins and calendars than any other. Cart; COVID-19 ; Book Tickets; Contact Us Due to COVID our online shop is currently disabled. EILEAN DONAN CASTLE: A BRIEF HISTORY…. During the civil wars in the mid 17th century, the castle was briefly held by a Parliamentarian garrison, but it was not long before it was back in Royalist hands. With the spectacular setting for this stunning building, added to such a colourful and intriguing history, it is easy to see why. Iconic Eilean Donan Castle, often described as the world's most picteresque castle, is to undergo major restoration work this spring. After crossing an arched stone bridge, visitors may recognize the setting from such films as Highlander and The World Is Not Enough. Widely recognised as the most photographed castle in Scotland, Eilean Donan sits majestically at the point where three great lochs meet. 12th / 13th Century. The King was so taken with his tales and skill that he asked him to build the castle. Description. It is located in the Dornie region of the Scottish Highlands. The castle frequently appears in photographs, films and television programmes, The castle lies about 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) from the village of Dornie. This support for the crown was soon to lead to the castle’s downfall, when the majority of Highlanders stood by the exiled King James (earning themselves the now-famous name ‘Jacobites’). The Capture of Eilean Donan Castle was an land-based naval engagement that took place in 1719 during the Jacobite rising of that year, and the War of the Quadruple Alliance.A British naval reconnaissance force of three ships attacked the castle of Eilean Donan on the west coast of Scotland, which was held by Spanish troops. He was a Christian preacher whose name finally stuck to the island and became an inherent name of the castle. History. Booking Enquiry; Eilean Donan Apartments; Weddings. Churches were built in the area and it is thought that the Island of Donan was used as a Christian … Pin it for later: What has been discovered by archaeologists is vitrified rock — a common practice during the Iron Age, when the builders of hillforts subjected their walls to high temperatures and fused and even melted the stone. Over two days the crews used 27 barrels of gunpowder to blow up the castle, leaving it a ruin — and this is how it remained for two hundred years. Since then, She has been built and re-built on at least four occasions as Scotland’s feudal history unfolded through the centuries. Website by West Coast Media, Prestigious Highlands & Islands Awards Win. It was located on a small rocky island on Loch Duich fiord in the western Highlands of Scotland. The castle lay in ruins for around 200 years until the island way bought by Lt Colonel John Macrae-Gilstrap. Arguably the darkest part of Eilean Donan Castle’s history is when it played a role in the Jacobite risings of the 17th and 18th centuries. The castle was the setting for the 1980 short film Black Angel, filmed to accompany screenings of The Empire Strikes Back in cinemas. The highest point of the island housed the substantial main keep, and towers gave excellent opportunity to spot any encroaching Vikings, and fire down upon them. Over a thousand years before the medieval surveyor marked out the lines of the fortifications that we see today, the vitrified defenses of an earlier fortification encircled the small knoll on the island. The castle as it stands today, is a rebuild. The stunningly beautiful Eilean Donan Castle dominates the landscape as it sits regally on a small island at the point of where three great sea lochs meet. History of the Highlander Castle- Eilean Donan Eilean Donan Castle depicts stories of hatred, jealousy, wars along with love and desire. The English Government caught wind of the intended … Eilean Donan Castle (schottisch-gälisch: Eilean Donnain) ist eine Niederungsburg in der Nähe von Dornie, einem kleinen Dorf in Schottland. This post contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from the link, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Pictures of Eilean Donan Castle and the Kintail area of the Scottish Highlands. Partially destroyed in a Jacobite uprising in 1719, Eilean Donan lay in ruins for the best part of 200 years until Lieutenant Colonel John MacRae-Gilstrap bought the island in 1911 and proceeded to restore the castle to its former glory. During the 13th century Alexander II built the first incarnation of Eilean Donan to defend the surrounding mountains of Kintail and the Isle of Skye against the Viking hordes. Today’s castle dates from 1912-32. Probably not their King though, Eilean Donan and Scottish Highland Scenery. Even for shallow-keeled boats, the waters around Eilean Donan are not very deep and, as such, potential attackers would have to wade ashore, their woollen garments, arms and armour weighing them down before they even got close to the walls. Eilean Donan Castle is one of the most recognisable castles in the world. Eilean Donan Castle Eilean Donan is the über-castle of the Highlands, perched on a rocky islet in a tidal loch on the road to the Isle of Skye. Used in support of the Jacobite uprisings of the eighteenth century it was left in ruins following an attack by the Royal Navy in 1719. Eilean Donan Castle: History - See 4,314 traveler reviews, 4,337 candid photos, and great deals for Kyle of Lochalsh, UK, at Tripadvisor. Eilean Donan Castle History The Island of Donan was named after a 6th century Irish saint. Ihre heutigen Gebäude wurden nach früheren Strukturen angelegt, aber etwas größer als der Originalbau. He had many adventures, travelling for many years, and over many miles, before returning to his homeland. This view from north was made at high tide. Walking up to the castle. The spirit of one of the fallen Spanish soldiers is said to linger in what is now the gift shop, with his head tucked under his arm! Eilean Donan means Island of Donan (a religious figure from the 12th century). By the 13th century, the clear views and access from the castle down the loch towards Skye and the Atlantic Ocean motivated the Mackenzie and Macrae clans to build their fortress castle there. Framed Mounted Print of Eilean Donan castle is situated on a small tidal island where three sea lochs meet, Loch Duich, Loch Long and Loch Alsh, in the western Highlands of Scotland. It was set up that way early 13th century as a defensive measure against the Vikings. A Detailed History of the Eilean Donan Castle . Photo Credit Over the years the bounds of the castle grew from a small 13th centure fortress to expand to cover most of the island by the 15th and 16 th centuries, when the wall was also reduced. In 1955 the castle was opened to the public, with the Conchra Charitable Trust formed in 1983 in order to care for Eilean Donan. In Gaelic, ‘Eilean Donan’ means ‘The Island of Donan’, and this name refers to the legend that the 6 th century Irish Saint Donnán lived on the island for a time, before being martyred on the island of Eigg. late 13th Century. Tens of thousands of tourists visit Eilean Donan each year, and you can embark on a guided tour of the castle. The castle and island were named after the monk Donnain who lived there as an anchor for a long time. Eilean Donan Castle - Scottish Highlands. Perched on a small island (which it takes its name from) in the western Scottish Highlands, it’s one of the country’s most picturesque sights.. Eilean Donan is recognised as one of the most iconic images of Scotland all over the world. The ruined walls of this castle have witnessed courage and valour along with hatred when the castle was initially built as a protective system for the land of Kintail, against the mighty Vikings. Eilean Donan Castle History. In 1719, the castle was occupied by 46 Spanish soldiers who were part of the force sent to raise support for the Jacobites in Scotland. No remains of any Christian buildings survive, though fragments of vitrified stone, subjected to very high temperatures, have been discovered indicating the presence of an Iron Age or early medieval fortification. The ruined walls of this castle have witnessed courage and valour along with hatred when the castle was initially built as a protective system for the land of Kintail, against the mighty Vikings. A different legend states that the island was the burial place of the King of the Otters, whose descendants can be seen on the shores to this day. The original structure dates back to the first of the 13 th century. We and our partners use cookies to better understand your needs, improve performance and provide you with personalised content and advertisements. Overtime the castle has … Of the many castles we visited on our tour of Scotland, this is our favourite by far. Like the vast majority of Scottish castles Eilean Donan comes with a colourful history. Eilean Donan Castle Scotland, or island of Donan, was not originally built on the islet. Taken by myself as a 2×6 segment panorama with a Canon 5D and 85mm f/1.8 lens. Strategically situated at the intersection of three sea lochs, a castle has existed at Eilean Donan for over 700 years. English: Eilean Donan Castle is a rebuilt castle at Dornie in the Scottish Highlands. In Gaelic, ‘Eilean Donan’ means ‘The Island of Donan’, and this name refers to the legend that the 6th century Irish Saint Donnán lived on the island for a time, before being martyred on the island of Eigg. The defensive structure had existed already in ancient times on the rocky island of volcanic origin, washed by the water from Lake Loch Duich. History of Eilean Donan Castle The original castle (the first fortification) was built sometime in the early 13th century and because of its strategic location, the castle was always considered an important part of defences. The title of ‘most photographed’ could arguably fall to Edinburgh Castle, by virtue of its visitor-friendly location, but head outside the capital and this title is likely to be claimed by Eilean Donan Castle. The other clans who have held a long historical relationship with the castle include the MacRaes (the personal bodyguards of the Chief of the MacKenzie clan), the MacLennans, and the MacKenzies, with the defence and ownership of Eilean Donan switching between these allies over the centuries. Im Besucherzentrum der Burg befindet sich ein … Taken by myself as a 2×6 segment panorama with a Canon 5D and 85mm f/1.8 lens. It is near Dornie by the Kyle of Lochalsh on the west coast of Scotland, approximately 120 kms from Inverness. Eilean Donan er ei lita øy i Loch Duich vest i Highland i Skottland.Ho er landfast via ei gangbru og ligg om lag ein kilometer frå landsbyen Dornie.Eilean Donan (som tyder «øya til Donnán») er kalla opp etter Donnán av Eigg, ein keltisk helgen frå mellomalderen.Øya er dominert av eit pittoersk slott. Visiting Eilean Donan Castle Today. Driving holiday in Scotland - visit to one of the most famous castles - yes.. its the 'Highlander' castle :) In 618 the monastery … Eilean Donan Castle is operated by The Conchra Charitable Trust and is a Registered Scottish Charity (SC 017346) regulated by The Scottish Charity Register (OSCR)." No evidence has been found of any early Christian occupation, but that does not mean it is not there, buried beneath the current thick castle walls. Eilean Donan remains a residence to this day--however it is open to visitors. Taking photos. Seit 1955 ist Eilean Donan Castle ein öffentlich zugängliches Museum, das jedes Jahr über 300.000 Besucher anzieht. 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