Castles in Scotland

Eilean Donan Castle

Visiting the Castle

You can explore almost every part of the Castle from the Banqueting Hall to the bedrooms. You'll be following in the footsteps of many a warrior - from the Vikings to James Bond, from Jacobites to Hollywood's 'Highlander'. Our guides will welcome you, show you around and answer your questions.

Exhibition

The introductory exhibition depicts the early history of Eilean Donan and the days when the Castle sat at the heart of the sea kingdom of the Lord of the Isles.

Billeting Room

The single barrel vault which spans the Billeting Room is some 760 mm (2' 6") deep and the walls are up to 4.26 m (14') thick. It is thought that in earlier times this would have been the billet for off-duty soldiers. Today it contains a fascinating collection of castle, MacRae family and local history artefacts.

Banqueting Hall

Known as either the Great Hall or Banqueting Hall, this finely proportioned room owes some of its characteristics to the Halls found in medieval castles and others to the relative comfort demanded by a more modern age.

The massive walls and vast fireplace are familiar features of Scotland's fortified buildings. The gothic, leaded windows owe more to Victorian romanticism. The substantial timber beams are of Douglas Fir and were shipped from British Columbia during the restoration of the Castle as a gift from the Macraes of Canada.

Today the Great Hall contains fine furniture, family portraits and Jacobite memorabilia including a lock of Bonnie Prince Charlie's hair.

Bedrooms

The third floor of the Castle was only opened to the public in 1995 after the bedrooms were renovated. The tartan fabric carpets are a MacRae sett woven by the company of a great grandson of the family.

Recreated Kitchen

The recreated kitchen enables visitors to experience the sights, sounds and smells as Mrs. MacRae-Gilstrap, the butler and the kitchen staff prepare for one of the first banquets to be held in the newly rebuilt Castle in 1932.

Vistor Centre

If you want to rest your feet and gaze at the views from the comfort of the visitor centre, then please enjoy our coffee shop or browse in the gift shop.

Layout

History

Although the island of Eilean Donan has been a fortified site for at least 800 years, the present building largely dates from the early 20th century. Today's castle, which rose from the ruins of its predecessor, was re-built between 1912 and 1932 by Lieutenant Colonel John MacRae-Gilstrap.

6th/7th century	The name Eilean Donan (island of Donan) established.
late 13th century	Held by Kenneth MacKenzie.
1331	Randolph, Earl of Moray, executed 50 men at Eilean Donan and he had their heads spiked on the castle walls. During the Jacobite rising of 1719 Spanish troops garrisoned the castle, and the ghost of one of the soldiers allegedly haunts Eilean Donan. The erie spectre has been witnessed in the Gift Shop and is said to hold his head under his arm. Another apparition, Lady Mary, reputedly haunts one of the bedrooms.
After 1362	The MacRae clan came to Kintail from the Beauly Firth where they had given protection to the Clan Fraser. Here they soon became 'bodyguards' to the MacKenzie chiefs. Despite disputes, the MacKenzies held Eilean Donan almost constantly until the 16th century.
1511	As protectors of the MacKenzies, the MacRaes first became Constables of the Castle in 1511 with considerable control over the surrounding area.
1539	A feud between the MacKenzies and the McLeods of Dunvegan, over the disputed claims of Donald Gorm MacDonald to the title of Lord of the Isles, came to head when he attacked the Castle with 50 galleys. He was famously shot and killed by Duncan MacRae with a single arrow.
1715	The Castle was garrisoned by Government troops but later retaken by the Jacobites before the Battle of Sheriffmuir.	Before the Battle
1719	The Castle was attacked by Government warships and abandoned in ruins after the bombardment.
1911	Bought by John MacRae-Gilstrap.
1912	Project began to restore the Castle.
1932	Completed after 20 years of reconstruction. Bridge to the island also finished.
1983	The Conchra Charitable Trust was formed by the MacRae family to care for the Castle.

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