eilen donan castle, scotland. The majestic and romantic eilen donan castle in scotland

Archaeological research proves that even in the ancient period there was a Pictish settlement here, and the island itself is without a doubt one of the hundreds of artificial islands (crannogs) found on many lakes in Scotland. Thanks to the volcanic rock, it was a solid foundation for any future fortification. In the VI century AD, the Christian missionary Saint Donan arrives here. For some time he settled on the island, spreading a new faith among the Picts, and therefore his name remained forever in the name of this beautiful place.

Early historical sources indicate that this area was bestowed by King Alexander II of Scotland, Colin Fitzgerald, for his dedicated service and valor in battle against the Vikings. Then, after all the western isles were annexed to Scotland under the reign of King Magnus, Eilean Donan became the property of the Mackenzie clan.

The Macrees were quite close to the neighboring Fraser clan. Evidence of this is a plaque above the main entrance, on which the following is written in Gaelic: "As long as the Macraes are inside, the Frasers will not remain outside." This eloquent saying indicates close friendly ties between the two clans. Moreover, above the entrance to the Fraser castle, there is a similar inscription that pays a compliment to the McRaes.

For several centuries of its existence, the castle expanded and again decreased in size. At the beginning of the Middle Ages, it probably occupied the largest territory, having large towers, and a fortress wall covering almost the entire perimeter of the island. At the highest point was the main donjon. But by the end of the 14th century, the area of the castle was reduced to one fifth of its original size. It is quite difficult to understand the true reasons for this action. Probably the reduction of the castle was due to the insufficient number of garrison capable of defending a large fortress. In the 16th century, a platform for the installation of artillery was built on the eastern wall.

During the Jacobite rising of 1715, Eilean Donan was garrisoned by Spanish soldiers hired by the Mackenzie clan to guard the castle and coastline from British attack. However, the mercenaries did not become a serious obstacle to the three English warships that approached the castle in 1719. After a three-day powerful bombardment, the English landing landed on the shore in order to capture the castle. Finding stocks of gunpowder in it, the British blew up the buildings that had survived the shelling and left the castle, leaving it completely uninhabitable.

For about 200 years, the castle lay in ruins until John Macri-Gilstrap bought it in 1911. His family for 20 years, will painstakingly restore the castle, trying to return it to its former appearance. By July 1932, Eilean Donan had been rebuilt according to the surviving old plans.

In modern times, Eilean Donan Castle is owned by the private Conchra Charitable Trust, which maintains it for the purpose of preserving it for future generations. Funding for the upkeep of the castle comes from ticket sales and private donations. In 1996, after renovation and decoration, six luxurious bedrooms were opened on the third floor of the castle, each of which received a unique name. A year later, a spacious parking lot was equipped nearby, the Visitor Center, a souvenir shop and a cafe appeared. Also at the beginning of 1998, an interesting exhibition dedicated to the history of the Macrae clan began to work. Every year, Eilean Donan attracts many guests from all over the world, after meeting with whom, most of them sincerely admit that visitors are the most beautiful and romantic castle in Scotland.

One of the most romantic and famous castles in Scotland, Eilean Donan Castle, is located on a small island of the same name, not far from Dorney. This secluded building, today open to visitors, has a long, unique and very interesting history.

Eilean Donan was erected in the 12th century by Alexander II. Then it was a relatively small fortress, but subsequently it has undergone many changes. The castle then expanded, then again decreased in size, but at the same time it was constantly being completed. The thickness of its walls sometimes reached 14 meters. Eilean Donan reached its greatest extent at the beginning of the Middle Ages, when its high towers and wide platforms covered almost the entire island. By the end of the 14th century, the territory of the castle was reduced by almost five times, and only in the 16th century did a new extension appear - a special platform for installing modern (for the 16th century) artillery.

In 1715, when the Jacobite rebellion took place, the castle housed a garrison of Spanish soldiers, who were hired by Mackenzie to protect the island and the castle itself from attack by the British. However, when in 1719 three English warships approached the castle, after three days of siege and bombardment, they were able to take possession of it. Having discovered stocks of gunpowder in Eilean Donan, the British soldiers blew up the remains of the building, which could survive after the shelling. The castle remained almost completely destroyed and completely uninhabitable.

In this state, the castle, or rather, its ruins, stood until 1911, when it was bought by John Macri-Gilstup. He and his family, guided by the preserved old plans of the castle, for 20 years made every effort to restore his lost appearance. Thanks to the efforts of these people, Eilean Donan Castle returned to life in 1932.

Today, Eilean Donan is owned by the private Conchra Charitable Trust, which maintains it well. The fund receives funds for the maintenance of this building from the sale of tickets to those wishing to visit the castle and private donations. After the renovation carried out here in 1996, several luxurious bedrooms were opened in the castle, located on the third floor. The following year, a spacious parking lot was equipped next to the fortress, a Visitor Center, a cafe and a souvenir shop were opened.

The current visitors of Eilean Donan, in addition to an interesting tour of the castle, can get acquainted with an additional exhibition dedicated to the history of the Macrae family. And some lucky ones may even meet local ghosts - a Spanish soldier who was killed in 1719 or Lady Mary, who also died within the walls of this castle.

Scotland is known throughout the world for a huge number of castles that have survived to this day. One of them - Eilean Donan Castle - is perceived as one of the most romantic places, because not only does it look majestic, but it also blends perfectly with the surrounding picturesque views.

This majestic building is located on a small rocky island in Loch Duyh near the village of Dorney. The object is famous not only for its appearance, which almost completely repeats its original appearance, but also for heather honey.

Mystery of the name

The beautiful castle of Eilean Donan, like the island where it is located, was named after the hermit monk Saint Donan, who preached Christianity in northwestern Scotland. He successfully spread the new faith among the Picts, which is why his name is preserved in history, but in April 617 the Queen of the Picts ordered him to be burned at the stake along with his fellow believers.

The Christian community, which had already formed in these places, named the island after a man who was martyred in the name of faith.

Mackenzie's possessions

In the 12th century, by order of King Alexander II of Scotland, a castle was built on the island to protect local lands from the Vikings. Once built, Eilean Donan Castle was given to Colin Fitzgerald as a reward for his gallantry at the Battle of Largs. Then King Haakon IV of Norway was defeated, thanks to which all the western islands became part of Scotland.

When Scotland annexed the Hebrides, the Mackenzie clan became the owners of the castle, whose members consider Fitzgerald to be their ancestor.

In 1511, members of the MacRae clan, who had always been Mackenzie's allies, became the castle's commandants for life. Their family has always been known for their courage, which was manifested in battles, and wisdom when the issue could well be resolved peacefully. One of the legends of the Eilean Donan castle is connected with their history.

It was reported that the captured enemies of McRae were given a chance for life and freedom, first holding them on the highest wall of the building, and then throwing them into the water. If a person swam to the shore, he remained alive and free, but it was too difficult to swim in armor, from which the captives were not previously released.

During its existence, the castle changed more than once, and not all changes were positive. In the Middle Ages, according to historians, the castle was much larger, and the fortress wall covered the perimeter of the entire island. By the end of the 14th century, the castle had shrunk by almost five times in size, which is sometimes attributed to the lack of defenders for such a large fortress.

The most significant and sad event with the castle occurred during the first Jacobite uprising. It began in 1715, when the Mackenzies hired Spanish soldiers to guard the castle to repel British attacks. But when three English warships approached the castle in 1719, they failed to offer serious resistance.

Three days of bombardment allowed the English landing force to land and capture the castle. With the help of gunpowder captured here, the British blew up the surviving buildings and left the island. The once majestic castle of Eilean Donan has fallen into ruins.

Revival of the castle under the clan MacRae

For almost two centuries, the castle remained in ruins until one of the descendants of the MacRae clan bought it in 1911. That man was John McRae-Gilstrap. For more than 20 years, his family has been restoring the castle according to the old plans that have been preserved in Edinburgh. The restoration also affected the stone bridge that connected the island and the lake shore. In 1932, the castle again appeared in all its splendor.

In 1983, the McRae family founded the Conchra Charitable Trust, which aims to preserve the castle for future generations. Money for the restoration and maintenance of the castle comes from private donations and ticket sales.

You can visit the fortress from the beginning of March to the end of October. Of great interest are exhibitions dedicated to the history of the castle and the life of the MacRae clan. The genealogical tree of the family, presented in one of the rooms, is quite sprawling, and the memory of the ancestors is also preserved in the honor board, which lists relatives killed in the First World War.

Until now, representatives of this famous clan live in the castle, for which several rooms have been allocated. Separately, you can see flags, shields, portraits and other trophies of the famous McRae family. There are also prepared exhibitions of weapons, paintings, furniture, porcelain. Now the castle has its own visitor center, a convenient parking lot, a souvenir shop, and a cafe - everything you need for a comfortable trip.

inhabitants

Of course, what is a Scottish castle without ghosts?! According to legend, the ghost of a Spanish soldier who was killed in 1719 during the capture of the fortress lives here. Eyewitnesses say that he keeps his head under his arm and most often appears in a gallery telling about the history of the castle.

They also saw the ghost of a woman - a certain Lady Marie, who was killed in the castle. She appears most often in one of the bedrooms.

As an object of attention, the castle kitchen is also remarkable, where its own inhabitants are represented - wax figures of the hostess, cook and butler. The exposition reflects the interior of the 30s of the XX century, and even cooked food is recreated.

Eilean Donan is a small island on the west coast of Scotland. In translation, its name means "Island of Donan" - after the name of the Celtic saint who lived on this island in the 7th century. The island is connected to the coast by a footbridge.

Here is one of the most famous and most picturesque and romantic castles in Scotland - Eilean Donan Castle. His image, repeatedly replicated on postcards and in films, has become a kind of symbol of Scottish castles.

The exact date of construction of the castle is unknown. Most likely, it was built in the 12th century to protect the coast from Viking raids. Historians confidently date the fortress wall to the 13th century, while the castle citadel in its northeastern part was built in the 14th century. From the 13th century, the castle belonged to the Mackenzie clan, and from the beginning of the 16th century, the Macrae clan became the hereditary custodians of the castle.

In 1719, Spanish soldiers landed on the island, who were on the side of the Jacobites - supporters of Jacob Stuart. The castle was fired upon from the sides of three warships of the Royal Navy, and then almost completely destroyed. The restoration of the castle began only in the 20th century under the leadership of John Macrae-Gilstrap. The reconstruction was carried out according to the plans of the castle, discovered in Edinburgh.

This is one of the two castles in the UK, in which the spiral staircases twist in the opposite direction - the king who built the castle was left-handed.

Eilean Donan Castle is one of the most photographed monuments in Scotland. It has also served as a backdrop for many feature films.

Castles of Scotland: Eilean Donan Castle November 1st, 2013

…Our children will return one day…
An oath to fate...
Born from a dream...
To survive under the Highland skies...
Free people, People proud to be Highlanders from birth.
Reality is just a pebble in the flow of time...
Eilean Donan, Castle Reborn
Eilean Donan, A Castle Reborn

Eilean Donan Castle (Eilean Donan Castle)- one of the most iconic images of Scotland, recognized throughout the world. The castle is located on an island in a place where three lakes meet and which is surrounded by majestic landscapes. Therefore, it is not surprising that Eilean Donan is one of the most important and most visited attractions in Scotland.

Eilean Donan- translated as "Donan's Island" a small island in Loch Dewih (Loch Duich) located near the village of Dornie in the Western Highlands (Highlands). One of the most famous castles in Scotland is located on this island - Eilean Donan Castle. One of the most photographed castles in this country of the highlanders, it was destroyed during the Jacobite risings and reborn again in the 20th century to become an icon of Scotland. Now the castle is open to visitors and everyone can touch the stones of its history…

Eilean Donan Island takes its name from St. Donan, also known as Donnan of the Eig (Donnan of Eigg), who was a Celtic priest who tried to evangelize among the Picts in northwestern Scotland. He was martyred at the stake April 17, 617 by order of the Queen of the Picts, along with 150 of his brethren.

Apparently already at that time there was a Christian community on the island, which named the island in his honor. One way or another in early 12th century Alexander II, King of Scotland, built a castle on this site to protect against the Vikings.

IN 1266 the castle was taken over Colino Hibernico, Colin Fitzgerald for defeating Haakon IV of Norway in a battle near Eilean Donan. Colino's descendants took the family name McKinsey. (MacKenzie).

Ultimately, the Mackenzie clan handed over the castle to the Macrae family. This clan was famous for its courage in battles and wisdom in resolving peaceful issues. Their devotional service played a significant role in the rise of the Mackenzie clan on the political stage. In turn, the services of the Macraes were always appreciated, and the castle became one of the generous rewards. Probably, one of the famous legends of Eileen Donan about the captive Macraes belongs to this time. It is said that the Macraes kept their captive enemies for several days on the highest wall of the castle, and then gave them a chance for freedom by throwing them into the lake. If the prisoner managed to swim to the shore, he saved his life, but it is also said that the Macraes did not allow the unfortunate to take off their armor, which invariably pulled them to the bottom.
The Macrees were quite close to the neighboring Fraser clan. Evidence of this is a plaque above the main entrance, on which the following is written in Gaelic: "As long as the Macraes are inside, the Frasers will not remain outside." This eloquent saying indicates close friendly ties between the two clans. Moreover, above the entrance to the Fraser castle, there is a similar inscription that pays a compliment to the McRaes.

IN 1511 clan McRee (Mac Rae), who had always been MacKinsey's allies, became Wardens of Eilean Donan Castle for life.

During the wars of the clans in Scotland 1539 Ian Dub Mathewson (Iain Dubh Matheson), head of the Mathewson clan, as well as an ally of the MacRee and MacKinsey clan, died during the defense of Eilean Donan Castle from the MacDonald clan of Sleat (Clan MacDonald of Sleat).

According to the ship's log, the British captured:

"... an Irish captain, a Spanish lieutenant, a sergeant, one Scottish rebel and 39 Spanish soldiers, 343 kegs of gunpowder and 52 kegs of musket bullets ...".

Capturing Eilean Donan by the British “... they burned several barns where grain for the soldiers was stored ...”, and also blew up the castle itself with the help of captured gunpowder. A month later, the Spanish soldiers were defeated at the Battle of Glen Shile. (Glen Shiel). Eileen Donan herself was left in ruins.

IN 1883 the McRee family formed a charitable foundation Conchra Charitable Trust for the restoration of Eilean Donan Castle. Between 1912 and 1932 Lieutenant Colonel John McRee-Gilstrop (John MacRae-Gilstrap ) the castle was rebuilt according to old plans kept in Edinburgh. The reconstruction also included the construction of a stone bridge connecting the island with the lake shore.

The castle and exhibition are open to visitors:

In July and August daily from 9-00 to 18-00