Eilean Donan Castle In Scotland — Historical Castles
You’ve seen it in many Hollywood productions, including the 1986 fantasy blockbuster Highlander and the historical drama television series Outlander. Y ou’ve probably also come across it on countless shortbread tins and calendars — the Eilean Donan Castle is arguably one of the most iconic tourist attractions in the Scottish highlands. It’s little wonder why thousands of visitors flock to its doors year-round. Aside from being the most photographed castle in Scotland, it’s also where many tourists have a chance to explore their ancestry.
Overview
Situated on the eponymous island, the Eilean Donan Castle was named after the Celtic saint, Donnán of Eigg, who was martyred in 617. The site was originally used as a chapel in the 6 thand 7 thcenturies before it became a fortress later on. This outstanding piece of architecture was founded as a stronghold in the 13 thcentury by the Scottish clan, Clan Mackenzie, protecting them along with their ally, the Clan Macrae. What makes this castle an architectural masterpiece is primarily its strategic location, overlooking the Isle of Skye, where the three great sea lochs meet — Loch Duich, Loch Long, and Loch Alsh.
Over the centuries, the castle witnessed numerous attempts of restoration, and thus contracting and expanding in size as the years passed. By the end of the 14 thcentury, the total area of the castle was reduced to almost a fifth of its original size. Of course, records of this time in history are scarce, and the reason for this reconstruction remains unclear; however, historians suggest that this is likely because it made the fortress easier to defend. In the late 16 thcentury, an extension was added to the construction, which is believed to have been established as hornwork and used as a firing platform for cannons.
Although there’s scanty evidence of when the castle was built, it’s believed to have been originally founded by King Alexander II to fortify his land against the potential encroachment of the Danes. Other historians argue that it was more likely to have been founded by Faraquar II, the Earl of Ross. By the late 13 thcentury, the vassals of the Earl of Ross garrisoned the island, and the Eilean Donan became a stronghold of the Clan Mackenzie.
However, what many visitors fail to realize is that the castle that now stands on the island was entirely rebuilt in the 20 thcentury, seeing as the original architecture was mostly annihilated by English warships after the Jacobite rebellion failed to protect the island. After the initial invasion, the captain of one of the two English ships obliterated the castle to rubble with powder magazine.
Restoration
It wasn’t until centuries later that the property was repurchased by Colonel Macrae-Gilstrap at a time when the island comprised nothing but ruins and dust. With the help of George Mackie Watson and Farquar Macrae, the reconstruction project began in 1919. The castle was then open to the public years later after a bridge was added to the construction to grant easier access to the castle. Gilstrap also built a war memorial on the island to pay homage to the soldiers of the Macrae clan who perished during World War I.
Although the project was mostly finished by the 1930s, it wasn’t until 1955 that it was finally re-opened for the public to admire, becoming one of the country’s most popular tourist attractions. However, by the 1980s, the ownership of the castle was transferred to the Conchra Charitable Trust, which the Macrae family established to restore and maintain the castle.
Despite the architecture mostly restored, the Eilean Donan castle is nonetheless considered one of the most photographed monuments in Scotland. It is also deemed a Scottish icon, as evidenced by its frequent appearance on everything from calendars and shortbread cans to whiskey bottles and cheese packaging.
Exploring the Island
Tourists often visit the Eilean Donan as part of a tour, seeing as the close-by Island of Skye is also known for its coastlines, wind-swept valleys, and countless other breathtaking scenery. While many visit to feast their eyes on the stunning geological formations, a tour to the highlands takes visitors on a unique journey filled with history and Scottish culture. Upon arrival, visitors are serenaded by pipers for the ultimate Scottish experience. Relatively speaking, this restored piece of architecture, albeit outstanding, is much smaller and less imposing than its 13th-century counterparts.
Aside from the stunning surrounding landscape, touring inside the castle introduces visitors to the former inhabitants of this building and the history of the island. There are several mural chambers, bedrooms, and chapels to explore. Unfortunately, visitors are not allowed to take photographs inside. Tourists also find many educational placards placed next to entrances, where they can learn the history of the Mackenzie clans as well as the rebellions and wars that led to the destruction of the fortress.
Other than visiting a world-renowned castle that had once warded off Viking invasions, tourists on highlands tours also get to discover nearby villages in historic counties, including the following locations.
Kyle of Lochalsh
Situated in the historic country of Ross-shire, on the country’s northwest coast, Kyle of Lochalsh is a shopping center and harbor for maritime tourists. The landscape and wildlife enveloping the village are nothing short of breathtaking and is deemed the primary attractions of this area of the highlands. The locals are known to live a short-paced life while certain activities dominate the village, such as salmon farming and crofting. Before the Eilean Donan castle was restored, Kyle of Lochalsh was merely a departure point of the HMY Iolaire, where soldiers returned from the First World War.
Portree
As the biggest town in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland, Portree is one of the most popular attractions in the region, primarily for its Aros center, where Gaelic heritage can be explored and celebrated. Oddly enough, it’s also known to harbor the only secondary school on the island. In the 1700s, Portree was a point of departure for the Scottish, where many families sailed to America in an attempt to escape poverty. Today, tourists visit the Aros center to explore activities such as shinty and hear the language that less than 40% of the population speak Scottish Gaelic.
Trotternish
The northernmost peninsula, or the Trotternish of the Isle of Skye, is one of the most popular scenic areas of the region. A landslide runs some 20 miles down the entire peninsula, making it as vast as it is geographically stunning. The three major settlements on the peninsula include Portree, Uig, and Staffin. The region is known for its surreal rocky features, primarily because the land is underlain by basalt and is famous for its rich soils.
Historical Significance and Controversy
The history of the castle remains a mystery and all timelines hypothesized are nothing but speculation. As a geographical juncture and historical fortress, the Eilean Donan connects the Scottish political system with the medieval clan system. In fact, it is the castle’s connection with the Mackenzie and Macrae clans that has led to its restoration and has undeniably kept the location alive, making it accessible for the public to explore and appreciate.
With that being said, when it comes to reading and interpreting historical architecture, restoration is often a controversial topic. When Gilstrap decided to rebuild the castle, he based his project on what he’d found, which was nothing more than rubble and a vague idea of the original floorplan. However, there’s no denying that he lacked crucial information that was only unearthed when he was already midway through the project. The survey drawings of the castle by Lewis Petit, dating back to 1714, suggest there may have only been one roofed-building on the island, which is not what is found today. In fact, historians posit that the Eilean Donan is no more than our modern vision, which is an awfully romanticized depiction of what Medieval castles looked like in the middle ages.
A number of experts even go as far as suggesting that the castle serves no other purpose than being photographed and filmed and that it cannot be deemed a monument of any sort. However, there is no denying the reconstruction and reuse of a medieval building ensures its revival and survival, and aids in telling historical stories that date back centuries. Invariably, the restoration of Eilean Donan is an epitome of romanticism. It’s one of the most commonly filmed settings and has seen an exceptional screen time thanks to its fairy-tale-like construction.
The stark remnants of the Eilean Donan castle were left abandoned until Macrae Gilstrap purchased the land in 1911. Some historians believe that the construction was based on the surviving ground plan of the castle, left behind by Lewis Petit. Still, there’s little evidence as to what the castle truly looked like in the 13 thcentury. Nonetheless, the restoration of this stunning island has helped tell the story of the clans and that of the Jacobite rebellion. Thanks to Gilstrap and his clerk, Farquar Macrae, who dedicated nearly 20 years of his life to the reconstruction of the building, people from around the world can now explore this incredible piece of architecture as well as the lives of its former inhabitants.
You can check this amazing castle for yourself with this 3D model:
Or you can enjoy more of our great stories: https://historicalcastles.com/historys-amazing-castles/
Originally published at https://historicalcastles.com on October 11, 2020.
