Eilean Donan Castle – Scotland’s Most Romantic Castle

Eilean Donan or the Island of Donan:

Situated by the picturesque village of Dornie, Eilean Donan Castle is on the main tourist route to the Isle of Skye. Like all visitors to Skye, we made an obligatory photo stop here.

Eilean Donan Castle  sits on an island where three sea lochs meet – Loch Duich on the left and Loch Long on the right which flows into Loch Alsh.  This iconic image of Scotland is one of the most photographed Scottish Highlands castle.

A Popular Film Location

Surrounded by magnificent scenery, it’s no wonder too that Eilean Donan Castle is a popular location for films – the castle has starred in many movies such as James Bond’s The World is Not Enough, The Highlander, Loch Ness, The New Avengers and more.

The island on which Eilean Donan Castle sits has been inhabited since 618 when St. Donan lived here. The first fortified castle was built in 1214 by the MacKenzies. With the conflicts and feuds that took place in the Highlands of Scotland, there have been at least four different versions of the castle. It was partially destroyed during the Jacobite Rebellion in 1718 and lay in ruins until John MacRae-Giltrap bought the island in 1911. It took 20 years of toil and labour to restore the castle to its former glory and it was finally re-opened in 1932.

An Important Attraction in the Scottish Highlands

These days Eilean Donan Castle is one of the most visited and important attractions in the Scottish Highlands. The area is a wild life habitat and many animals and birds can be seen here. Some of the reefs in Loch Duich, with its rich variety of seaweeds and even coral, have been designated Areas of Special Marine Conservation.

Eilean Donan Castle is also a popular location for weddings. The Castle has a cottage in the grounds that can accommodate four people and is available for weekly hires.

If you’re holidaying in Inverness, Edinburgh or Glasgow, a number of tour companies offer day trips up here.

Scottish Highlands Map:

Click here to get a free PDF of this post

Participate in the conversation by leaving your comment below.