Eilean Donan Castle

Isle of Donan, Western Highlands

The mighty Eilean Donan castle is situated on a small island in Loch Duich in the western Highlands. It is about half a mile from the village of Dornie and connected to the mainland by a footbridge.

The castle was named after a celtic Saint who was martyred in the dark ages.
Originally built by Alexander II. King of Scots in 1220. The castle was mainly intended to protect the country against viking attacks. In the late13th century Eilean Donan was ruled by the Mackenzie Clan of Kintail. In a battle between the McDonald clan and Mackenzie and McRae clans in 1539,  the chief of clan Matheson, Iain Dubh Matheson was killed while defending the castle on behalf of the Mackenzies.

In 1719 the castle was occupied by spanish troops who wanted to start a jacobite rising. During this incident the castle was reconquerd and demolished by three Royal Navy frigates. From 1919-1932 the castle was restored by Lt. Col. John MacRae-Gilstrap. In 1983 the castle is administrated by the Conchra Charitable Trust formed by the McRae family. Nowadays Eilean Donan is one of the most photographed castles in Scotland and was also used in a couple of movies. Amongst others in the 1999 Bond movie "The world is not enough" starring Pierce Brosnan.