Which loch is eilean donan castle

Dunnottar Castle 4. Culzean Castle 5. Balmoral Castle 6. Glamis Castle 7. Crathes Castle 8. Floors Castle 9.

Dunrobin Castle Midhope Castle Castles in Scotland — all you need to know Fascinating facts about royal castles Our top 10 castles to stay in Scotland. Scottish castles.

Eilean Donan Castle fast fact: The ghost of a Spanish soldier, killed in a battle at the castle in , is said to haunt the rooms of Eilean Donan. A new lease of life The castle lay derelict for almost years until when Major John Macrae-Gilstrap bought the ruins and set about their complete restoration.

The interiors — Macrae curated these carefully and they include period furniture with some particularly fine examples of Sheraton and Chippendale , oil paintings and a collection of weapons. The living quarters — see what makes up some of the finest castle accommodation in Scotland. The Banqueting Hall — also known as the Great Hall, the jewel in the Eilean Donan crown has magnificent beams and decoration.

The shifting tides — if you can, catch the castle at low and high tide to appreciate how the landscape changes. Over the centuries, the castle contracted and expanded for reasons that still remain a mystery to this day, until when it was involved in one of the lesser known Jacobite uprisings. When the British Government learned that the castle was occupied by Jacobite leaders along with a garrison of Spanish soldiers, three Royal Navy frigates were sent to deal with the uprising.

On the 10 th of May , the three heavily armed warships moored a short distance off the castle and bombarded it with cannons. With walls of up to 5 metres thick, these cannons had little impact, but eventually the castle was overwhelmed by force. Discovering barrels of gunpowder inside, the Commanding officer gave orders to blow the castle up; following which Eilean Donan lay in silent ruin for the best part of two hundred years.

The castle that visitors enjoy so much today was reconstructed as a family home between and by Lt Col John MacRae-Gilstrap, and incorporated much of the ruins from the destruction. At this point the bridge was added; a structure that is as much a part of the classic image as the very castle itself. Visitors now have the opportunity to wander round most of the fabulous internal rooms of the castle viewing period furniture, Jacobean artefacts, displays of weapons and fine art.

Historical interest and heritage are in abundance with informed guides happy to share a wealth of knowledge. Extremely popular with families, a visit to Eilean Donan promises lots of fun for the kids whether it be swinging a Claymore, spying through the spy holes, lifting the cannon balls, gazing at the fearsome portcullis or exploring the ancient battlements. Wildlife surrounds the island too, with regular viewings of porpoise, dolphins, otters and birdlife.

For those feeling particularly romantic, weddings can even be arranged inside the beautiful Banqueting Hall. Explore this attraction with the ScotlandVR app.

Cookies are required to view this content. Change your preferences at Manage Cookie Settings. Add a room Remove. Add a room. A selection of local accommodation is given below. Weddings You can get married at Eilean Donan Castle, renew your vows there or just have a blessing ceremony.

For small groups of up to 8 people. Contact John Macdonald - Tel: or Must be booked in advance. Self drive tours can also be arranged by them. Scotland Made Easy can plan a customised itinerary for a self-drive tour to suit your interests, budget and time available. Optional 'specials' during your tour include a night in a castle, church, lighthouse, country mansion, etc.

Please note that accommodation is not available inside Eilean Donan Castle. Celia Ffitch-Stewart is a fully insured driver-guide with Mercedes limousine for private tailor-made guided tours.

Half day, full day or extended tours. Services can include itinerary planning and accommodation reservations. Meet your clan chief, trace your roots, stay in a castle. Themes to suit your interests can be arranged. Airport collection Edinburgh, Aberdeen or Inverness. Also available for weddings. Please note that photography and videography are not allowed inside the castle rooms, as is common in virtually all furnished historic homes in the UK.

Boat Trips Departures from the pontoons at Kyle of Lochalsh:. Photo Copyright Mike Phimister. View the Eilean Donan interactive web cam. The more modern entrance was chosen to be an arch in the south wall and over its portcullis is a Gaelic inscription which translates as: As long as there is a MacRae inside There will never be a Fraser outside.

From here visitors then pass into the courtyard. Here is the famous Murchison Stone which bears the following slightly factually incorrect inscription:.

Visitors have access to walk around some of the battlements, and before leaving the castle interior, you can see the old portcullis. Afterwards you can return for another look around the courtyard, or exit via the main castle entrance mind your head! Don't forget to take a walk around the perimeter of the castle and if the tide is out, go down to the slipway and rocks to see the building from a different angle. Set in a type of alcove around the corner from the castle entrance is the MacRae Roll of Honour.