Eilean Donan

Situated at a junction between Loch Duich, Loch Long and Loch Alish, on a small tidal island, is Eilean Donan. Literally meaning "island of Donnan", Eilean Donan is believed to have been named after Donnan of Eigg, a Gaelic Saint that was martyred. Donnan of Eigg purportedly tried to bring Christianity to the Picts of North Western Scotland.  Vitrified stone found on Eilean Donan may have been the remains of a monastic cell built on the island in honour of Donnan of Eigg. 

Sometime during the reign of Alexander II, which lasted from 1214 to 1249, a large curtain wall, constructed to protect the existing castle, was built. It almost enclosed the entire island. Eilean Donan became a stronghold against the Viking expeditions.  It was situated on the boundary of the Norse-Celtic Lordship of the Isles and the Earldom of Ross. By this time the Vikings had occupied much of the North of Scotland and the Western Isles. 

Eventually the island became a stronghold for the Mackenzies of Kintail. The castle was garrisoned by the Macraes and MacLennans. When King Magnus VI returned the Hebrides to Scotland a bid was made for the castle but it was repulsed. In 1331, soldier and diplomat Thomas Randolph, Earl Of Moray announced that he would be visiting the island.  In preparation fifty people were beheaded and their head were displayed on the castle walls as a welcome. 

By the Mid 14th century the Mackenzies were loosing an ongoing feud and  Eilean Donan was protected by Duncan Macaulay for the Mackenzies. King David II awarded the castle to Murdo Mackenzie. The Macrae clan settled in the area and became the protectors of the Mackenzies. 

In 1427 James I was determined to unite the feuding clans of the Scottish highlands and invited clan leaders to join him in Inverness.  At the fateful meeting James I decided to execute and imprison most of the chieftains.  He sent Alexander Mackenzie the Lord of Eilean Donan to Perth to school due to his young age. Duncan Macaulay held the castle for Alexander, even thwarting takeover attempts by Alexander's uncles. Alexander was returned to his lairdship and went on to support the monarch against the MacDonalds. 

In 1539 Donald Gorm MacDonald of Sleat ravaged the lands of the MacLeods of Dunvegan on Skye. Gorm learnt that Eilean Donan was weakly defended, in fact there were only two people in the castle.  Donald MacDonald decided to attack Eilean Donan Castle challenging King James V in his quest for Lordship. The attack was foiled by Duncan Macrea who wounded Donald MacDonald with his last arrow. The MacDonalds were defeated. 

During the Jacobite uprises, there was an increase in military presence in Scotland, as the government tried to quell the Highlanders. Following the failure of the 1715 Jacobite rebellion the Jacobites received support from the Spanish.  In 1719 Eilean Donan castle was garrisoned by Spanish soldiers who had stockpiled gunpowder but we're waiting for the delivery of weapons and cannons. The English got wind of the delivery and sent three heavily armed frigates. The Flamborough, The Worcester and the Enterprise bombarded the castle for three days, the cannon attack doing little to damage the 14ft thick walls of the castle. Finally Captain Herdsman of the Enterprise sent a landing party.  They overwhelmed the Spanish soldiers and then using the stockpiled gunpowder, partially destroying the castle.

For almost the next two hundred years what remained of the castle lay abandoned.  In 1911 Lieutenant  Colonel John Macrae-Gilstrap purchased the island with the intent of restoring it to its former glory. The restoration of Eilean Donan, which included the construction of an arched bridge between the island and the mainland, took twenty years.  A war memorial was also constructed with lines from John Macraes poem "In Flanders Field".  Eilean Donan Castle was reopened in 1932.  The castle has been described as one of the most photographed castles in the world. It has been featured in many films, including Highlander. 

Eilean Donan Castle is said to have two ghost.  The first is an unknown female called Lady Mary who supposedly haunts one of the bedrooms.  The second ghost is thought to be one of the Spanish soldiers killed during the Jacobite rebellion.  This ghost is said to be headless, walking with his head underneath his arm.  

Rumours also abound about a large marine creature seen near the castle in Loch Duich.  There is also a legend about a "Macrea" film that exists showing a creature in Loch Ness and Loch Duich.  The alleged films have been stored away for safe keeping.  

Mermaids and Seal Maidens have also been connected to Eilean Donan.  Through the centuries sailors have reported sighting mermaids near the castle. A legend also exists about three seal maidens, in Loch Duich near Eilean Donan, whose seal "coats" were stolen when they were in human form, by three brothers.  One brother allowed the seal maiden to return and as a reward she was allowed to visit him.  The eldest brother burnt his seal maidens coat so she couldn't leave and inadvertently burnt her to death. The middle brother lost his seal maiden when she found her coat and escaped.

I loved visiting Eilean Donan.  The castle is breathtakingly beautiful.  Once you walk across the bridge from the mainland you feel transported to a magical place.