Originally built in the 13th century as a defense against Vikings, Eilean Donan Castle is one of Scotland’s best-known architectural treasures. It is situated on a small island in Loch Duich in the western Highlands of Scotland near from the village of Dornie.
Eilean Donan Castle last played a historical role during the 18th century Jacobite uprisings, and was subsequently left in ruins until it was rediscovered.
Eilean Donan Castle is dramatically situated on a small isle at the meeting point of three sea lochs - Loch Long, Loch Duich and Loch Alsh.
In 1719, the castle was garrisoned by Spanish troops fighting for the Jacobite cause on behalf of the 5th Earl of Seaforth when three British frigates sailed into the loch and pounded the castle to rubble with canon-fire.
It is connected to the mainland by a footbridge. Eilean Donan is named after St. Donan, a Celtic saint. Eilean Donan is one of the most recognised Scottish castles and one of the most visited attractions in the Scottish highlands.
Most of the castle can be explored. The Castle now has its own visitor centre with Coffee Shop, Gift Shop and toilets. There is no disabled or wheelchair access into the castle itself, as there is a large number of steps.
Between 1912 and 1932 it was restored by Farquhar Macrae of Auchtertyre for it's new owner, Lt. Colonel MacRae-Gilstrap. It is said the form of the reconstruction was revealed to farquhar in a dream.
It is certainly remarkable that it so faithfully follows what Louis Petit's illustration records, though the latter's drawings were not discovered until long after the reconstruction was complete.
Photo source: wikipedia.org
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