From medieval raiders and Jacobite sieges to James Bond and Cate Blanchett, our historic buildings are perpetually reinvented
One of the most dramatically located castles in Scotland, Eilean Donan stands silhouetted against the mountains, with its turrets and battlements reflected in the calm waters of Loch Duich. This setting has provided romantic inspiration for travellers, artists and filmmakers alike, but it was warfare and the natural vantage point of this small island that led to the castle being built.
From bloody beginnings, the fortunes of the castle have waxed and waned over the centuries. Now, at peace, it is only tourists who besiege it. Eilean Donan is one of the longest lasting man-made structures in the rugged wilderness of the Highlands and its location and history make it one of Scotland’s most famous attractions.
History of the castle
Eilean Donan first served as a look-out to warn local settlers of possible Viking attack. 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. In 1719, it provided a defence for Spanish soldiers sympathetic to restoring the Scots to the throne. It took 3 days of bombardment from English ships to beat them into submission.On winning, the English set light to the Spaniards’ store of gunpowder causing a massive explosion which left Eilean Donan a romantic ruin for nearly two centuries. Eventually, in 1911, it was bought and painstakingly restored over 20 years by Lt. Col John Macrae-Gilstrap.
Back in fashion
By the late 19th Century, feuding had been replaced by fashion and the Highlands and their castles had found new purposes. Queen Victoria’s love of the Scottish landscape led to the annual royal foray into the Highlands at Balmoral. More recently, the film industry has made very good use of Eilean Donan including Elizabeth, Highlander and The World is not Enough.
