Eilean Donan

Eilean Donan Castle

 The drive southwest to Eilean Donan was beautiful. Tall mountains on either side of our road, which  ran down the flats by the river and lochs.  Waterfalls tumbled down; too many to count.  Logically, we knew the mountains weren't very high, but to be at their base and look up; they were huge.  We kept saying, "Look there!"  "Oh, beautiful!" "There's another one" "I think those are deer across the river!"
Picture postcard moments.

This waterfall started at the very top of the mountain, cascading down to the river.  There were too many falls to count.

The island was named Eilean Donan (Island of Donan)  in the 6th to 7th century after a chapel site by Saint Donnan of Eigg.  He was another Irishman come to save the heathen Scots.  There seem to be a lot of them about.

Over the door is inscribed "As long as a MacRae is inside, a Fraser will not be left outside."

 At the castle, pictures are not allowed inside, but one of the docents gave a brief talk, full of information and humor.  The castle was started in the 13th century.  As with most castles, it was added to and refortified over the years.  It was originally built to protect the lands of Kintail against the Vikings, who controlled much of the North from 800 - 1266.  Perhaps that it why so many Scots have red hair?

From 1509, John Mackenzie, through a charter from the Crown, controlled the lands of the Kintail, including the Castle.  The MacRaes, on behalf of the MacKenzie chieftains, were often garrisoned here. In 1511, the MacRaes became the Constables of the Castle.

A member of Clan Fraser of Lovat waiting at the door.  I was let inside, but they didn't give a discount on the ticket.

During the Jacobite uprising, Spanish soldiers occupied the castle. The government frigates responded by reducing much of castle to rubble.  Afterwards, they went inside to destroy the powder magazine, which exploded, destroying what remained of the Castle.  It was abandoned ruins until 1911.

Walking the ramparts.

 John MacRae-Glistrap purchased the property to start rebuilding the castle. It took 20 years, formally reopening on 22 July 1932.  From the outside,the castle looks much as it did in the 1700's, while the inside was rebuilt as a family home, with plumbing, central heating and many bedrooms with bathrooms. The MacRae-Gilstrap's spent summers here.

Archaeologists at work on the site of tower.

Still privately owned, the Castle is run by the MacRae family trust.  There are self catering cottages for rent, while you can even get married in the great hall, but only after 6 pm during the summer months. Many movies, television shows  and advertisements have been filmed here, including Highlander.  (Someday, I have to read the books and watch the series.)

The Saltire flies over all.

While it was dry most of our visit, when we were ready to leave the castle, the rain started.  We drove over the bridge to the Isle of Skye, to say we'd been there.  The first few miles reminded me of Bodega Bay in California, with lots of cottages and BnB's for rent.  Maybe if we had driven farther onto the Isle, it would have been more "wild", but there wasn't time.