Eilean Donan Castle is an iconic Scottish landmark. Located on a small island in Loch Duich the castle can be reached via an impressive stone bridge which links from the castle back to the mainland and visitors centre. It is said to be the most photographed castle in Scotland, its not hard to understand why … you’ll get it once you see the photos below.
Originally built around 1230 and once a stonghold of the Clan Macrae for some 500 years, today the castle is almost a total reconstruction following near total ruin at the hands of a Jacobite uprisings in around 1719. It was due to one brilliantly names Lieutenant Colonel John MacRae-Gilstrap, that the castle that the castle was restored to former glory. He bought the island in 1911, some 200 years after the castles destruction, and had to open again 1932.
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On our roadtrip around western Scotland and the Isle of Skye earlier this year my friends and I were lucky enough to pass by Loch Duich and so we decided to stop and have a closer look. Sods law the day we visited the castle was closed due to a tad more restoration/maintenance work. No luck in acting out a slightly duff scene from Game of Thrones for us, but I managed to scribble down the admission prices if you now feel inspired enough to visit on your next visit to Scotland. Parking was also free and the gift shop served a nice cup of tea, lovely.
- Adults £6
- Concessions £5
- Under 15’s £3
… Oh, and if you’re thinking that the castle looks familiar, but that you’ve also never been to the Highlands and so wonder how exactly it seems familiar, this a certain 80’s movie might have something to do with it …
Hi Neil! Love your photos of the Castle. An absolutely stunning landmark. I visited it in 2011 during spring and I would recommend the castle to everyone travelling through Scotland. Here’s my post about the castle: http://foodandphotosrtw.com/2013/05/03/the-beauty-of-eilean-donan-castle/
Regards!
Stef
That looks so Game of Thrones-esque! The Highlands bring back so many good childhood memories for me so hopefully I will be back there soon.
Naomi recently posted..How to renew a tourist visa in Colombia
@Naomi – I’m currently on season 3 of Game of Thrones and you’re right it looks like it could be one of the sets no problem.
As for the highlands, I’ve never had so much fun simply driving. Our group are all quite tempted to go back again next year. Glad you have good memories of that area too.
Thanks for commenting, have a great weekend :)
A very inspiring Castle, Looks like and Old and Historic Place.
It’s almost like a postcard isn’t it? I wanted to go on my trip up to the Highlands a couple of years ago but had a bit of a travel disaster (gales, flooding and train cancellations) so never made it, but might have to give it another try (probably in a car this time!).
Lucy recently posted..The Bay of Kotor: Where the fjords meet the Mediterranean
Aww man, another thing I missed when visiting Scotland. I didn’t think to do it at the time, but Scotland seems like a great place to road trip around. And, the two photos that you took of the castle are pretty phenomenal, too!
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@Lucy – The drive through the highlands to the castle was one of my highlights. Long, windy roads with minimal traffic and incredible views. Highly recommend a roadtrip should you return.
@Megan – I quite like driving so naturally loved our little roadtrip, but even for those that aren’t that keen behind the wheel, highlands provide an incredible driving experience and would be hard to knock. Thanks for commenting :)
That second picture is professional. Seriously…you should put that one up for sale!
Wade recently posted..Capture of the Week: Fort Worth Sunflowers
@Wade – Thanks Wade. I should really start watermarking, I just forget.