Initially, nearly the whole island was contained by a wall, much larger than the current castle, and ensuring a solid bastion in what were the borderlands between the Viking Lords of the Isles to the west and north, and the Kingdom of the Scots. In 1719, the castle was occupied by a force of Spaniards, who were allies of the Jacobites, but they were defeated by three ships of the Royal Navy, who captured the castle. This view from north was made at high tide. 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. In 1955 the castle was opened to the public, with the Conchra Charitable Trust formed in 1983 in order to care for Eilean Donan. Overtime the castle has … After a naval bombardment, the British government forces stormed … 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. Churches were built in the area and it is thought that the Island of Donan was used as a Christian … The name Eilean Donan is Gaelic for Island of Donan and Donan … It is possible that an early Christian monastic cell was founded on the island in the 6th or 7th century, dedicated to Donnán of Eigg, an Irish saint who was martyred on Eigg in April 617. Eilean Donan Castle is one of the most recognisable castles in the world. 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)." Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland. Eilean Donan or Eilean Donan Castle is one of the most famous castles in the world and the most beautiful castle in Scotland. late 13th Century. By the end of the 6th century a monastery was erected on the island. It is located on Eilean Donan, an island near the point where the sea lochs Loch Duich, Loch Alsh and Loch Long meet. Although the trustees, Mrs. Marigold Macrae and Baroness Miranda van Lynden, have discretion as to use for special events and still use the castle on occasion, tourists are able to view the Billeting Room, Banqueting Hall, Kitchen and other sections as they are opened to the public. It is near Dornie by the Kyle of Lochalsh on the west coast of Scotland, approximately 120 kms from Inverness. Bought by Lt Colonel John MacRae-Gilstrap and his wife in 1911, he spent the next twenty years reconstructing the castle to its former glory (with a few added perks like electricity!). In 1912 Lieutenant-Colonel John MacRae-Gilstrap bought the castle with the intention of preserving the ruin his ancestors had fought to protect. Manning a vast castle was expensive and difficult, and a smaller building on a tiny island was just as easily defended — by fewer soldiers. The original castle was pretty much destroyed in the 17 th and 18 th century because of the Jacobite uprising. Driving holiday in Scotland - visit to one of the most famous castles - yes.. its the 'Highlander' castle :) 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. Eilean Donan Castle in the Scottish Highlands. 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. Eilean Donan Castle History. 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. 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. Eilean Donan Cottage. It was located on a small rocky island on Loch Duich fiord in the western Highlands of Scotland. Der Name selbst bedeutet Donans Insel und weist auf den Hl. Inside the castle, you might be impressed at all the modern amenities! The first documented castle was built in the 13th century during the reign of the Scottish King Alexander II. It is located in the Dornie region of the Scottish Highlands. 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 means Island of Donan (a religious figure from the 12th century). The castle was the setting for the 1980 short film Black Angel, filmed to accompany screenings of The Empire Strikes Back in cinemas. 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. English: Eilean Donan Castle is a rebuilt castle at Dornie in the Scottish Highlands. The area around the car park is the obvious one. Tens of thousands of tourists visit Eilean Donan each year, and you can embark on a guided tour of the castle. The name Eilean Donan ‘Island of Donan’ established probably through use as a chapel site by Saint Donnan of Eigg. 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. Eilean Donan was Clan MacKenzie’s most important stronghold from the 13th Century until it was destroyed in 1719. 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. Folk-tales tell of the son of the Chief of the Matheson Clan who did this, and later began to talk to the birds! eilean donan castle - scotlands most romantic castle. Eilean Donan. They had established a magazine of gunpowder, and were awaiting the delivery of weapons and cannon from Spain. Die in der Burg präsentierten Ausstellungsstücke dokumentieren die Geschichte der Burg, ihrer Umgebung und der Macrae-Familie. The defensive structure had existed already in ancient times on the rocky island of volcanic origin, washed by the water from Lake Loch Duich. Eilean Donan Castle (schottisch-gälisch: Eilean Donnain) ist eine Niederungsburg in der Nähe von Dornie, einem kleinen Dorf in Schottland. Sehen Sie sich alle 55 Touren für Eilean Donan Castle … 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. Taking photos. Eilean Donan was our third castle after Stirling and Inveraray and they all were worth the visits! 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 Donnain Castle is a very popular historical place. 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 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! 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. It’s a really beautiful castle with an incredibly rich history. Eilean Donan Castle Scotland, or island of Donan, was not originally built on the islet. 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. After crossing an arched stone bridge, visitors may recognize the setting from such films as Highlander and The World Is Not Enough. The history of Eilean Donan Castle. Taken by myself as a 2×6 segment panorama with a Canon 5D and 85mm f/1.8 lens. 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. Iconic Eilean Donan Castle, often described as the world's most picteresque castle, is to undergo major restoration work this spring. Joanne Mackenzie-Winters : Eilean Donan appears to have been built on the remains of a Pictish fort, which were found during castle excavations. Ihre heutigen Gebäude wurden nach früheren Strukturen angelegt, aber etwas größer als der Originalbau. Ein Muss für Burgenfans, für Highland-Fans sowieso! There are several vantage points for taking photos of the castle. 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. History. 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. As it held such a strategic position Eilean Donan was a constant target, and the attackers were usually one branch of the Clan MacDonald, or another. Check out the pics from my visit! Jahrhundert. The Eilean Donan Castle in Scotland is like a fairy tale location: Eilean Donan Castle was originally built in 13th Century (by the Clan Mackenzie and Clan Macrae) in order to defend the area from invading Vikings who controlled most of Northern Scotland between 800 and 1266 AD. Wir empfehlen Ihnen, Touren für Eilean Donan Castle frühzeitig zu buchen, um sich einen Platz zu sichern. history of eilean donan castle Eilean Donan island is situated at a merging point of three sea lochs and has been inhabited since the Iron Age. Eilean Donan Castle has wowed visitors for centuries. History of the Highlander Castle- Eilean Donan Eilean Donan Castle depicts stories of hatred, jealousy, wars along with love and desire. The castle was a stronghold for the Jacobite (a supporter of the deposed James II and his descendants in their claim to the British throne after the Revolution of 1688) … St Donan lived there with his brothers. History of the Eilean Donan Castle. Wedding Venue; Wedding Contacts; Webcam; Shop. Website by West Coast Media, Prestigious Highlands & Islands Awards Win. Eilean Donan Castle is now owned by the Conchra Charitable Trust and is maintained for the public at large. Since then, She has been built and re-built on at least four occasions as Scotland’s feudal history unfolded through the centuries. Eilean Donan has made several appearances in films, beginning with Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1948 and The Master of Ballantrae in 1953. Eilean Donan Castle ist ein wunderschönes Highlight nach einer Rundfahrt auf der wildromantischen Insel Skye, der Heimat des Clan MacLeod. 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. Eilean Donan Castle History The Island of Donan was named after a 6th century Irish saint. 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