Eilean Donan Castle

Eilean Donan Castle is located on an island in Loch Duich, Scotland. The first fortified, defensive structure was built in this area by King Alexander II or III in the early 13th century to protect against Viking invaders who controlled much of the area from 800-1266. Over the centuries, the castle was expanded and even decreased in size in the 14th century, but the original medieval castle was large and nearly covered the entire island with its towers and curtain wall. The 16th century saw the installation of hornwork added to the east wall as canons were introduced. Having played a role in the Jacobite risings of the 17th and 18th centuries, the castle was eventually taken by three armed frigates, and the barrels of gunpowder stored there were used to destroy the structure. Partially destroyed and abandoned for nearly 200 years, the island was purchased by Lt Colonel John MacRae-Gilstrap in 1911, and reconstruction of the castle began. The castle was completed in 1932, along with an arched bridge to the island. In 1955, it was opened to the public by MacRae-Gilstrap’s grandson. The castle has a holiday cottage for guests, a gift shop, a visitor center, and a café. Eilean Donan Castle serves as a museum, a venue, and a film location.

Nice castle, think I’ll take it 🏰🖤

Famous castle, not so famous viewpoint. #eileandonancastle #eileandonan #castle #wall #fortification #building #medievalarchitecture #architecture #highland #history #middleages #ancienthistory #scotland #loch #lochduich #lochlong (at Eilean Donan Castle) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6F47A8DxlJ/?igshid=10d46d94lgif3

#Repost @scotland.shots 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 are proud to present our Scotland loves of the day! •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 🏅ARTIST @funkmasterdoogan 🌍LOCATION Eilean Donan Castle, Highlands •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• We need you and your pics to show the beauty of Scotland to the world! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Join us and be part of it! Tag us #scotlandshots or #scotshots ☝🏻 No stolen or web pics! All shots are reposted in good faith that the photographer obeyed all local bylaws and the spirit of #roamresponsibly whilst shooting. ☝🏻 . Please visit the artist's gallery and show them some love 💙 Photo selected by @nichbrand If you like our gallery, you may also like our sister hub @uk.shots #eileandonancastle #dornie #lochalsh #lochduich #clanmacrae #clanmackenzie #highlands #macrae #スコットランド #écosse #Шотландия #苏格兰 #أسكتلندا #scshts_funkmasterdoogan (at Richland Center, Wisconsin) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8vUXuRhlg0/?igshid=n5palhcix849

. Eilean Donan è una piccola isola nel Loch Duich, nelle Highlands occidentali della Scozia. Su quest'isola sorge il famoso castello di Eilean Donan che fu costruito nel 1220 da Alessandro II di Scozia come baluardo di difesa contro le incursioni vichinghe. Attualmente è uno dei monumenti più famosi e fotografati di tutta la Scozia. . #eileandonancastle #lochduich #eileandonan #scotland 🇬🇧 #scotland_insta #scotland_lover #scotlandtrip #scozia 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 #scoziatour #scotlandtours #lovescotland #scotlandsites #dornie #isleofskye #highland #caledonia #scottishhiglands #scotlandmountains #lakeview #mountainview #scotlandexplore @scotlandexplore #super_reflection_channel @super_reflection_channel #hoboh @hoboh #theeasywayoftravel #super_europe_cannel @super_europe_cannel (presso Eilean Donan Castle) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bmu2DYlANLY/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1cl3ga1vdxiag

Credit to @myinstascotland : Ruins of St Dubhthac's Church, Loch Duich, Scottish Highlands #stdubhthacschurch #lochduich #Scotland #outlander #scotland_insta #scotlandlover #scotland_greatshots #lovescotland #loves_scotland #igscotland #ig_scotland #igersscotland #instascotland #insta_scotland #explorescotland #visitscotland #fiftyshades_of_history #icu_scotland #thisisscotland #traveling_uk #hiddenscotland #wonderlustscotland #photosofbritain #scotlandsbeauty #vd_gothika #thehub_gothic #kings_gothic

Castle. #eileandonancastle #moody #mist #lochduich #getoutside #visitscotland #ordnancesurvey #zwiedzamy #landscape #view #memories #roadtrip #scotland #highlands (w: Eilean Donan Castle)

Me and Blossom earlier this morning waking up to the #beautiful #lochduich #scotlandhighlands #highlands #scotland #scotland_lover #scotlandtravel #scotland_insta #scotlandexplore #lakes #mountains #views #views😍 #nature #holidays #holidayspirit #holidaysnaps #travel #travelphotography #traveller #travels #photography #naturephotography #photographer #photooftheday #photo #travelphotography #photographers #photos #thursday (at Ratagan) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3c3S7DD0g_/?igshid=1lymh3iwmapf4

Luceo non uro (I shine not burn) Eilean Donan Castle was long held by the Mackenzies of Kintail and it may have been given to them after they helped to defeat the Norsemen at the Battle of Largs in 1263. #eileandonancastle #highlands #scotland #lochduich #clanmackenzie (presso Eilean Donan Castle) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx9XIn5ioBB/?igshid=1jzglbxfdnqsk

Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland What's your favourite castle in Scotland? #eileandonancastle #castlesofscotland #castle #scotlandphotography #scotlandlove #instascotland #schotsehooglanden #schotland #scottishcastle #dornie #lochduich #twitter https://www.instagram.com/p/BxnT2u8HyXy/?igshid=slv8px148lbs

Eilean Donan Castle #eileandonancastle #eileandonan #castle #history #lochduich #lochlong #lochalsh #specialplace #scotlandhighlands #scotland (at Eilean Donan Castle) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnHPyyxg8itga1ceJjDAi80eDLH3bXU7YPdTuw0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1l78xsei0gjrm

Loch Duich - kouzelny Skotsko #lochduich #dornie #scotland (v místě Loch Duich)

Views of the Five Sisters from Loch Duich. officialisleofskye #visitscotland #scotlandlover #igerscotland #scotlandsbeauty #scotland_insta #bestscotlandpics #thisisscotland #hiddenscotland #loves_scotland #instascotland #thescottishcollective #unlimitedscotland #lovesscotland #scotlandisnow #explore_scotland #igscotland #scotspirit #visualsofscotland #scotlandexplore #brilliantscotland #officialisleofskye #wonderlust.scotland #taliskerstudioandgifts #traveling_scotland #thisisscotland #isleofskyescotland #travel.in.scotland #fivesisters #lochduich www.stephenpetersphotography.co.uk. Mòran Taing airson coimhead air. https://www.instagram.com/p/CVqqpB6KQsw/?utm_medium=tumblr

. Eilean Donan è una piccola isola nel Loch Duich, nelle Highlands occidentali della Scozia. Su quest'isola sorge il famoso castello di Eilean Donan che fu costruito nel 1220 da Alessandro II di Scozia come baluardo di difesa contro le incursioni vichinghe. Attualmente è uno dei monumenti più famosi e fotografati di tutta la Scozia. (vacanze 2018) . #eileandonancastle #lochduich #eileandonan #scotland 🇬🇧 #scotland_insta #scotland_lover #scotlandtrip #scozia 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 #scoziatour #scotlandtours #lovescotland #scotlandsites #dornie #isleofskye #highland #caledonia #scottishhiglands #scotlandmountains #lakeview #mountainview #scotlandexplore @scotlandexplore #hoboh @hoboh #theeasywayoftravel #hdr @lega_photo #lega_photo_ (presso Eilean Donan Castle) https://www.instagram.com/p/CH4VcdbM2Eh/?igshid=xv5n1bl5t4d

Photo by @nichbrand ・・・ @unlimitedscotland UNLIMITED SCOTLAND 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 PHOTOGRAPHER | @nichbrand 🌟 LOCATION | #eileandonancastle 📍 . FOLLOWS US | @unlimitedscotland TAG US | #unlimitedscotland #scotland . ADMIN | @ramseyselim ___________________________________________ PLEASE VISIT @unlimitededinburgh @unlimitedwales @unlimitedbritain @unlimited.egypt @luxuryexplorers ____________________________________________ #lochalsh #dornie #highlands #macrae #clanmacrae #lochduich #visitscotland #thisisscotland #ukpotd #scotlandsites #brilliantbritain #lovescotland #lovegreatbritain #omgb #photosofbritain #scotlandlover #beautifulscotland #スコットランド #Шотландия #苏格兰 #britains_talent #liveuk #uk #visituk #hiddenscotland #bbcbritain #topukphoto (at Eilean Donan Castle)

🎬 Eilean Donan Castle has appeared in many films. The most memorable of these would be the 1999 Bond film "The World is Not Enough", starring Pierce Brosnan.  In the film the castle was the Scottish headquarters of MI6. ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ 🎞 Another film that stands out is the 1986 film "Highlander" starring Christopher Lambert and Sean Connery.  In the film the castle was home to Clan MacLeod in the flashback scenes. ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ 🎞 The name Eileen Doran, meaning island of Donan, is believed to have got its name during the 6th century after the Irish Saint, Bishop Donan who visited around 580 AD.  The small island may have housed a Chapel but is known to have held religious gatherings of some sort. ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ 🎞 The actual castle itself was not built until the early 13th century.  ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ 📍Postcode IV40 8DX⁣ ⁣ 🚘 Free car park at site. ⁣ ⁣ 🔹️⁣ ⁣ 🔹️⁣ ⁣ 🔹️⁣ ⁣ 🔶️⁣ ⁣ 🔹️⁣ ⁣ 🔹️⁣ ⁣ 🔹️⁣ ⁣ 🔶️⁣ ⁣ 🔹️⁣ ⁣ 🔹️⁣ ⁣ 🔹️⁣ ⁣ 🔶️⁣ ⁣ 🔹️⁣ ⁣ 🔹️⁣ ⁣ 🔹️⁣ ⁣ #exploringtheglobe #worlderlust #world #wanderlust #holiday #bestvacations #mustsee  #wishlist #instatravel #fantasticview #photos #photograph #nationalgeographic #beautifuldestinations #wonderfulplaces #worldplaces #naturephotography #amazingtrips #nature_perfection #travellife #getaway #ilovetravel #traveldiaries #Scotland #travelphotography #lochDuich #tartanterrain⁣ (at Eilean Donan Castle, Dornie, Scotland) https://www.instagram.com/p/CBum6rKJJ5O/?igshid=pesrlx6306xs