Eilean Donan Castle Tour: An Icon of the Scottish Highlands
Few places capture the atmosphere of the Scottish Highlands quite like Eilean Donan Castle.
At Ireland & Scotland Luxury Tours, we regularly include Eilean Donan as part of our private luxury tours of Scotland, particularly when clients are travelling to or from the Isle of Skye.
Set on a small island where three sea lochs meet, surrounded by mountains and Highland scenery, it is one of the most recognisable castles in Scotland.
Discover Eilean Donan Castle
The site has a long history, with the first fortified castle constructed in the 13th century.
Over the centuries Eilean Donan developed into an important Highland stronghold and became closely associated with the Mackenzies of Kintail and the MacRaes.
Its spectacular position alone makes it worth including on a private tour of the Scottish Highlands.
You can learn more and plan a visit through the
official Eilean Donan Castle website.
The Destruction of Eilean Donan in 1719
One of the most dramatic chapters in the castle’s history came during the Jacobite rising of 1719.
Spanish soldiers supporting the Jacobite cause occupied the castle and stored supplies and gunpowder there.
Government warships bombarded Eilean Donan before troops went ashore. The gunpowder stored inside was then used to destroy much of what remained of the castle.
For almost two centuries afterwards, Eilean Donan stood largely as a romantic Highland ruin.
The Reconstruction of Eilean Donan
The castle seen today owes much to Lieutenant Colonel John MacRae-Gilstrap, who purchased the island in 1911.
A major reconstruction began the following year and continued for approximately 20 years.
The restored castle was completed in 1932, along with the famous stone bridge that now connects the island to the mainland.
A Castle Made Famous on Screen
The unmistakable setting of Eilean Donan has also made it a popular filming location.
The castle has appeared in a number of films and television productions, including Highlander and the James Bond film The World Is Not Enough.
It is easy to understand why. With water on almost every side and mountains rising behind it, Eilean Donan looks almost purpose-built for the cinema.
Combine Eilean Donan with the Isle of Skye
We particularly like incorporating Eilean Donan into journeys involving the Isle of Skye.
Rather than simply driving to the castle, taking a photograph and moving on, we prefer to make it part of a more relaxed Highland experience.
One hotel we particularly enjoy using on Skye is
Kinloch Lodge.
This family-run country house hotel on the shores of Loch na Dal offers understated luxury, warm Highland hospitality and an excellent reputation for food.
A few nights on Skye gives clients time to properly experience the island rather than trying to see it all in one day.
Explore More of the Isle of Skye
From your base on Skye, your itinerary can include some of the island’s best-known landscapes and experiences.
The Fairy Pools, dramatic mountain scenery, coastal viewpoints and local distilleries can all be incorporated depending on your interests.
This combination of Eilean Donan and the Isle of Skye works particularly well because the journey itself becomes part of the experience.
Include Eilean Donan in Your Private Luxury Tour of Scotland
At Ireland & Scotland Luxury Tours, our itineraries are designed around our clients rather than around a fixed coach timetable.
Whether you want to explore castles, whisky distilleries, Highland scenery, exceptional hotels or the Isle of Skye, we can build those experiences into your own journey.
Start Planning Your Private Tour of Scotland
Contact Ireland & Scotland Luxury Tours to include Eilean Donan Castle and the Isle of Skye in your private luxury tour of Scotland.
