10 Impressive Facts About Eilean Donan Castle That You Didn’t Know

In the western Highlands of Scotland, Eilean Donan Castle is located on a small tidal island where three water lochs converge. As Scotland’s feudal history developed throughout the years, the castle was constructed and rebuilt at least four times. Ten facts about the Eilean Donan Castle are provided here.

1. Saint Donan inspired the naming of Eilean Donan Castle.

Saint Donan, an Irish bishop who lived on the island at the beginning of the seventh century, is the name of the castle.

Between roughly 550 and 17 April 617, Saint Donan, also known as Saint Donnán of Eigg, lived. He was likely of noble parentage and of Irish ancestry.

He gained notoriety for his initiatives to spread Christianity among the Picts in northwest Scotland.

Later, at their monastery on the Scottish island of Eigg, Saint Donan and 52 of his monks were killed.

He is incredibly well-remembered, and many locations in contemporary Scotland bear his name.

2. The 13th century saw the construction of the Eilean Donan Fortified Structure.

During King Alexander II’s rule in the 12th or 13th century, the island’s first fortified fortress was constructed.

It was constructed to defend the Kintail homelands from Viking invaders who ruled over Scotland’s west coast and the Hebridean islands.

Because of the castle’s advantageous location, the tower house, in particular, provided Scots with a clear view of any oncoming foes.

Due to the conflicts that had been fought, the fortified construction of the Castle had significantly diminished by the end of the 14th century.

3. Different Clans exchanged ownership of Eilean Donan Castle.

Eilean Donan Castle had a long history of fostering close bonds between numerous clans.

These neighbourhood clans traded ownership of the castle over the years.

The MacLennan Clan, the Mackenzie Clan, and the Macrae Clan were among the clans.

Scotland’s Highlands and Islands served as the focal points for the majority of clan disputes during the Middle Ages.

Eilean Donan Castle was frequently a target during these feuds, and as a result, it sustained significant structural damage.

4. For more than 200 years, Eilean Donan Castle remained in ruins.

After a protracted conflict between rival clans, Spanish soldiers took control of the fortress in 1719.

With the approval of their allies, the Jacobites, Spanish soldiers turned the castle into their military outpost.

They were ultimately vanquished by the Royal Navy of England, which launched a three-ship raid on the castle and eventually took control of it.

Gunpowder was used by the Royal Navy to destroy Eilean Donan Castle from within, leaving it in ruins.

They did this to stop a foreign army from occupying the castle in the future.

Eilean Donan Castle lay in ruins for the following 200 years before being finally renovated by a Macrae family member.

5. The Eilean Donan Castle was rebuilt.

More than 200 years passed with Eilean Donan Castle lying in ruins.

Between 1919 and 1932, Lt. Col. John MacRae-Gilstrap reconstructed and restored the castle based on the original blueprints.

An arched bridge was built as part of the repair to make it simpler to reach the island.

Additionally, Macrae-Gilstrap built a war memorial museum in honour of the MacRae clan members who lost their lives in the First World War.

Since its public opening in 1955, Eilean Donan has become a well-liked tourist spot. It is Scotland’s third-most-visited castle.

The Conchra Charitable Trust, created by the Macrae family to care for and operate the castle, received possession of the castle in 1983.

6. Blockbuster movies have included Eilean Donan Castle.

Numerous filmmakers have chosen Eilean Donan Castle as a movie set because of the castle’s extensive history and distinctive structural layout.

Eilean Donan Castle may be recognizable to visitors from movies within a James Bond film.

The James Bond film series “The word is not enough” featured the castle as a filming location.

The castle served as the setting for the march of MacLeod clansmen leaving for the battlefield in the 1986 movie Highlander.

7. The Mainland is Connected to Eilean Donan Castle

For many years, Eilean Donan Castle was without a fixed bridge. This was done on purpose to defend the castle from attackers from the continent.

Lt. Col. John MacRae-Gilstrap rebuilt the castle in 1919 after it had been abandoned for 200 years.

An arched bridge was built as part of the repair to make it simpler to reach the island.

Over 500,000 visitors from all over the world visit the castle each year, using the bridge today.

8. The most recognizable castle in Scotland is Eilean Donan.

One of the most well-known castles in Scotland is Eilean Donan.

One of the most visited tourist destinations is The Castle, a Scottish landmark.

It is simple to understand why so many people return year after year to its strong doors when you first lay your eyes on it.

Eilean Donan castle is a noteworthy location that is situated on a tiny island and encircled by the magnificent Kintail wooded mountains.

9. Eilean Donan Castle is owned by Macrae Family.

John Macrae granted access to the general public to Eilean Donan Castle in 1955.

The Conchra Trust was established by the MacRae family in 1983 to take care of the castle.

There is a wealth of historical knowledge throughout the castle’s halls.

Additionally, there is a sizable collection of things that formerly belonged to the many owners of the castle.

The Macrae family is still the proprietors.

10. You Can Visit Eilean Donan Castle

From 1 April to 31 October, the castle is open to visitors between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5.30 p.m.

Given that there are self-service ticket machines at the Castle’s entry, guests do not need to plan their visit in advance.

The gift shop is open every day of the year.

Large luggage and rucksacks are not allowed within the castle.