Eilean Donan Castle Photos
Recommended Reviews - Eilean Donan Castle
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Probably the most picturesque Scottish castle other than Edinburgh Castle, Eilean Donan simply amazes on a sunny day. The castle is unique that it's on its own little island with a backdrop of the green Scottish mountains. My tour group stopped here just long enough to take pictures from a distance. I wasn't disappointed that I didn't tour the interior as I'd read the grounds and surroundings are the real treat. The castle can be easily accessed on a trip to the Isle of Skye and the upper Highlands, but I wouldn't recommend building a trip around a visit if staying in Edinburgh or Glasgow as it's simply too far away. Plenty of tv shows and movies have filmed scenes at Eilean Donan Castle since it's so unique and picturesque.
Last time in Scotland we didn't visit the world famous Eilean Donan Castle, weren't in the area but always wanted to come. On this years Road Trip through the UK we finally made it and took many hours to really enjoy and appreciate this amazing place. You know this castle from tourist brochures, from pictures, from movies. It is a famous and really popular spot. And for really good reason. It does hold up to all the expectations. Park your car just outside on the big carpark. Even though well visited, there are spots available, if you wait a few minutes. From here alreay you get a perfect view of the castle. Any many do that, park and take pics from this angle. It is the perfect angle indeed. But we wanted to get a closer look. There's a visitors centre with shops, toilets and restaurant. There are some nice souvenirs here. Got some good stuff for fair prices. You can choose a ticket just for the island and castle grounds. Or a ticket to go both inside the castle and to the grounds. We had our Bulldog with, so we chose a ticket just for the outside area. Where dogs were welcome, that's very nice. Staff everywhere was really friendly. The name Eilean Donan, or island of Donan, is most probably called after the 6th century Irish Saint, Bishop Donan who came to Scotland around 580 AD The first real fortified structure wasn't built until the 13th century though. It reached its biggest size in the medieval times and then was later reduced in size. It was in ruins for about 200 years until it got bought in 1911. It took 20 more years to bring it back to glory and fame. And you can see why it's famous. It's just an amazing location with the green hills in the back, sitting on the small island. From the island itself you get some really nice views and from the bridge leading here. Really worth the small fee to step on the island. We came on a dry day, but tried not to arrive on a fully sunny day. Because with a bit of (dark) clouds, the castle looks even more eerie and magical than on a bright blue skies sunny day. Waited long to finally visit this castle. And it is absolutely worth it. Highly recommended.
This is a gorgeous castle, but be warned that photographs are not allowed inside the castle in most areas. I forgot and was lining up a perfect shot when my cousin was like "no!" Lol. Worth the admission. It took about an hour to go through with a light volume of tourists. We also appreciated the treats in the cafe. Pronounced similar to Ellen Done-un
We lucked out with this stop on our tour, as could cross the bridge and walk the outside of the castle. Unfortunately the Happy's Tour we were on, didn't allocate enough time to go instead and check out the Castle's interiors, something my brother said he had done previously (and recommended) with the Rabbie's tour group.So this review is primarily for the castle grounds, as well as the excellent tea-room and shop facilities. Regarding the external castle walls, it was a thrill to walk around and see the memorial to WW1 Scottish poet John McRae (We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders Field) and the walk around the castle walls, situated as it is on the banks of 3 lochs, was very beautiful with a refreshing blustery breeze as accompaniment. I also found out from one of the ladies at the ticket office that the Castle is still held by a family trust, and that members of the McRae family occasionally still use the castle and then it's occasionally also not open to the public during the many film shootings that also take place here. The cafe facilities are also excellent, good number of ladies loo stalls although the shop is a bit expensive. I found the same brand of locally made chutneys, jams & honey for a much cheaper price in Inverness. Very glad made a stop here, although wish it had been for s longer time. Yelp 76 / 2019
This review is specifically for the food in their cafeteria. The castle itself is an amazing place to visit and to take in the wonderful vistas. The castle is located on it's own little island and connected to the main land by a fairy tale stone bridge. Once you've explored the castle, pop into the nearby cafeteria-cafe attached to where you buy tickets. They have a cold and hot food items, drinks, baked goods and soups. Pick up a tray, point to what you want, and pay at the end of the line. Its a good place to eat lunch and fuel up before travelling to your next destination. I had the pie with a side of veggies, which was deceptively small but filling. I would recommend sitting on the second level by the large window, you can admire the castle as you enjoy your meal!
A quaint, simple, basic, small castle. This seems like a one to two family castle (plus staff). It is rebuilt after it was destroyed. I was told the head of the McRae family lives there now. If you are in the area, it's worth a stop. If you are not in the area, I don't know if I'd make a special trip. It's nice because you can walk around it. You can notice the tidal waters.
This iconic castle is well worth the trip to see in person. Previous photographs that I had seen made it seem as if the island was far out into the loch, but in fact it's less than 100 meters, with a wide causeway to walk across. Anyone can hop out of the car and snap photos, but passage across the causeway to the grounds and the castle itself costs 4.95, which is entirely reasonable. Although the main structures date from the 13th century, the castle was ruined for over two hundred years until Col John Macrae-Gilstrap, head of Clan Macrae (whose ancestral castle it is), undertook a restoration, which lasted from 1912 to 1932 and cost 250,000. The Macrae family still uses a private wing of the castle. What is available on the tour is the great hall, filled with clan memoria and artefacts; the billeting room, containing articles from the clan regiment's history and records of the castle's renovation; the kitchens, which have been restored diorama-style to show 1932-era banquet preparations; and several upstairs bedrooms, with more personal mementos such as photographs and maps. I spent several minutes perusing a crowd photograph from the 1965 funeral of Winston Churchill, which, besides a Macrae member, included all the royal Brits, plus representatives of almost every other European royal dynasty or government and other international statesmen (U.S. President Johnson was notoriously absent). I later read that Churchill's funeral was the largest collection of foreign dignitaries until the 2005 funeral of Pope John Paul II. Another artifact which I found interesting was a basket-handled broadsword owned by a Macrae who had emigrated to America to fight in the Revolution as a loyalist; he died in an American prisoner-of-war camp in 1782.
Adult admission is £7.50. Opening hours are highly variable check here: http://www.eileandonancastle.com/visit/opening-hours/ There are several castles in Scotland, but Eilean Donan is arguably the most picturesque. It is strategically situated out on its own little island at the convergence of several lochs. The castle was leveled to practically nothing by the British in the 1700s. From 1912 to 1932, it was fully rebuilt. It has been renovated since then as well. One such cheap renovation I saw is that builders skipped the stonework exterior for the backside of the castle that no one sees. Pretty bizarre in my opinion. It's just stucco. Inside the castle is a solid 1-2 hours of exhibits. The bottom floor is like a miniature museum while other rooms in the castle have been recreated to look authentic. Bedrooms are fully furnished with contemporary pieces. There's a recreation of the kitchen. Perhaps the most interesting room is the dining hall, which has a secret passage you can go up to spy on guests in the hall. Overall, I thought it was well worth a visit. Fun fact: You can book this castle as your wedding venue!
Such a nice castle and we never even went inside! Our friends said the inside was a mix of modern and old and not worth it but to just see it from the outside. I was debating to go in or not but ended up spending way too much seeing it from different vantage points. It's at the intersection where 3 lochs meet and there is a heavy smell of salt water in the air. When I think of castles I don't think of the ocean and it's an amazing stop to get a little of both. It's on a small island with a nice stone bridge going to it and feels both romantic and surreal. Very picturesque from all angles. Even though it's a 20th century reconstruction it was still accurately done and the bridge connecting it to the mainland makes it much easier to access. There are some other vantage points that are further away that let you see the castle from really high and really low. I still recommend the main spot on maps if you plan on coming here. You can do the other spots coming back from Isle of Skye. read more
This is a can't-miss. The location is spectacular and offers incredible views. The castle itself is stunning with a lot of interesting history and exhibits inside. Highly recommend it! It's a longish drive from Inverness but well worth it. Combine this with a day in Loch Ness for a full fun day. read more
I've visited several castles on my trip through Scotland, and so far this one stands out for its charm. Be prepared to pay for parking at the meter, where an attendant in a neon vest monitors that. There's also an admission fee to enter the castle grounds, but it's worth it if you're interested in exploring the interior and learning about its history. There are over 12 audio for the self guided tour. For those just wanting a photo op, many people simply take pictures from outside without entering (I did that). The visitor center is well-equipped with clean restrooms and a lovely gift shop stocked with local souvenirs. Overall, a well-maintained site, though a bit of planning for parking is needed especially in high season. read more
Probably the most picturesque Scottish castle other than Edinburgh Castle, Eilean Donan simply amazes on a sunny day. The castle is unique that it's on its own little island with a backdrop of the green Scottish mountains. My tour group stopped here just long enough to take pictures from a distance. I wasn't disappointed that I didn't tour the interior as I'd read the grounds and surroundings are the real treat. The castle can be easily accessed on a trip to the Isle of Skye and the upper Highlands, but I wouldn't recommend building a trip around a visit if staying in Edinburgh or Glasgow as it's simply too far away. Plenty of tv shows and movies have filmed scenes at Eilean Donan Castle since it's so unique and picturesque. read more
Really cool place on a relatively not too busy day. Castle is a must see as far as castles go. Only did the walk around self tour for 3£. Parking was easy and there were not too many people. The grounds were very well maintained. The staff were very helpful. read more
3 years ago
Last time in Scotland we didn't visit the world famous Eilean Donan Castle, weren't in the area but always wanted to come. On this years Road Trip through the UK we finally made it and took many hours to really enjoy and appreciate this amazing place. You know this castle from tourist brochures, from pictures, from movies. It is a famous and really popular spot. And for really good reason. It does hold up to all the expectations. Park your car just outside on the big carpark. Even though well visited, there are spots available, if you wait a few minutes. From here alreay you get a perfect view of the castle. Any many do that, park and take pics from this angle. It is the perfect angle indeed. But we wanted to get a closer look. There's a visitors centre with shops, toilets and restaurant. There are some nice souvenirs here. Got some good stuff for fair prices. You can choose a ticket just for the island and castle grounds. Or a ticket to go both inside the castle and to the grounds. We had our Bulldog with, so we chose a ticket just for the outside area. Where dogs were welcome, that's very nice. Staff everywhere was really friendly. The name Eilean Donan, or island of Donan, is most probably called after the 6th century Irish Saint, Bishop Donan who came to Scotland around 580 AD The first real fortified structure wasn't built until the 13th century though. It reached its biggest size in the medieval times and then was later reduced in size. It was in ruins for about 200 years until it got bought in 1911. It took 20 more years to bring it back to glory and fame. And you can see why it's famous. It's just an amazing location with the green hills in the back, sitting on the small island. From the island itself you get some really nice views and from the bridge leading here. Really worth the small fee to step on the island. We came on a dry day, but tried not to arrive on a fully sunny day. Because with a bit of (dark) clouds, the castle looks even more eerie and magical than on a bright blue skies sunny day. Waited long to finally visit this castle. And it is absolutely worth it. Highly recommended. read more
3 years ago
This is a gorgeous castle, but be warned that photographs are not allowed inside the castle in most areas. I forgot and was lining up a perfect shot when my cousin was like "no!" Lol. Worth the admission. It took about an hour to go through with a light volume of tourists. We also appreciated the treats in the cafe. Pronounced similar to Ellen Done-un read more
2 years ago
Worth. The. Hype. The Eilean Donan Castle was breathtaking. To see a castle on its own little island on the sea was just incredible. We stopped and did the whole tour walk around and took many pictures. You've got to make this a stop on your trip. read more
2 years ago
7 years ago
We lucked out with this stop on our tour, as could cross the bridge and walk the outside of the castle. Unfortunately the Happy's Tour we were on, didn't allocate enough time to go instead and check out the Castle's interiors, something my brother said he had done previously (and recommended) with the Rabbie's tour group.So this review is primarily for the castle grounds, as well as the excellent tea-room and shop facilities. Regarding the external castle walls, it was a thrill to walk around and see the memorial to WW1 Scottish poet John McRae (We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders Field) and the walk around the castle walls, situated as it is on the banks of 3 lochs, was very beautiful with a refreshing blustery breeze as accompaniment. I also found out from one of the ladies at the ticket office that the Castle is still held by a family trust, and that members of the McRae family occasionally still use the castle and then it's occasionally also not open to the public during the many film shootings that also take place here. The cafe facilities are also excellent, good number of ladies loo stalls although the shop is a bit expensive. I found the same brand of locally made chutneys, jams & honey for a much cheaper price in Inverness. Very glad made a stop here, although wish it had been for s longer time. Yelp 76 / 2019 read more
This review is specifically for the food in their cafeteria. The castle itself is an amazing place to visit and to take in the wonderful vistas. The castle is located on it's own little island and connected to the main land by a fairy tale stone bridge. Once you've explored the castle, pop into the nearby cafeteria-cafe attached to where you buy tickets. They have a cold and hot food items, drinks, baked goods and soups. Pick up a tray, point to what you want, and pay at the end of the line. Its a good place to eat lunch and fuel up before travelling to your next destination. I had the pie with a side of veggies, which was deceptively small but filling. I would recommend sitting on the second level by the large window, you can admire the castle as you enjoy your meal! read more
A quaint, simple, basic, small castle. This seems like a one to two family castle (plus staff). It is rebuilt after it was destroyed. I was told the head of the McRae family lives there now. If you are in the area, it's worth a stop. If you are not in the area, I don't know if I'd make a special trip. It's nice because you can walk around it. You can notice the tidal waters. read more
This iconic castle is well worth the trip to see in person. Previous photographs that I had seen made it seem as if the island was far out into the loch, but in fact it's less than 100 meters, with a wide causeway to walk across. Anyone can hop out of the car and snap photos, but passage across the causeway to the grounds and the castle itself costs 4.95, which is entirely reasonable. Although the main structures date from the 13th century, the castle was ruined for over two hundred years until Col John Macrae-Gilstrap, head of Clan Macrae (whose ancestral castle it is), undertook a restoration, which lasted from 1912 to 1932 and cost 250,000. The Macrae family still uses a private wing of the castle. What is available on the tour is the great hall, filled with clan memoria and artefacts; the billeting room, containing articles from the clan regiment's history and records of the castle's renovation; the kitchens, which have been restored diorama-style to show 1932-era banquet preparations; and several upstairs bedrooms, with more personal mementos such as photographs and maps. I spent several minutes perusing a crowd photograph from the 1965 funeral of Winston Churchill, which, besides a Macrae member, included all the royal Brits, plus representatives of almost every other European royal dynasty or government and other international statesmen (U.S. President Johnson was notoriously absent). I later read that Churchill's funeral was the largest collection of foreign dignitaries until the 2005 funeral of Pope John Paul II. Another artifact which I found interesting was a basket-handled broadsword owned by a Macrae who had emigrated to America to fight in the Revolution as a loyalist; he died in an American prisoner-of-war camp in 1782. read more
Adult admission is £7.50. Opening hours are highly variable check here: http://www.eileandonancastle.com/visit/opening-hours/ There are several castles in Scotland, but Eilean Donan is arguably the most picturesque. It is strategically situated out on its own little island at the convergence of several lochs. The castle was leveled to practically nothing by the British in the 1700s. From 1912 to 1932, it was fully rebuilt. It has been renovated since then as well. One such cheap renovation I saw is that builders skipped the stonework exterior for the backside of the castle that no one sees. Pretty bizarre in my opinion. It's just stucco. Inside the castle is a solid 1-2 hours of exhibits. The bottom floor is like a miniature museum while other rooms in the castle have been recreated to look authentic. Bedrooms are fully furnished with contemporary pieces. There's a recreation of the kitchen. Perhaps the most interesting room is the dining hall, which has a secret passage you can go up to spy on guests in the hall. Overall, I thought it was well worth a visit. Fun fact: You can book this castle as your wedding venue! read more
4 years ago
8 years ago
I have been longing to visit Eilean Donan Castle since I can remember. Certainly the movie Highlander with Sean Connery and Christopher Lambert played a big part in my decision to visit, but having said this, the castle is also embedded in a beautiful and wild area up North, surrounded by three lochs and a mountain range, which is just astonishing. Now the time had finally come and I was able to step upon the bridge connecting the castle with Mainland Scotland in Wester Ross. The sight onto the castle from the opposite shore is just amazing. You can smell the clear sea air, as well as the fresh mountain air. It is true that Eilean Donan had to be rebuild in its former glory, but if you look at the stronghold you would not think that this building is only about 100 years old. Before 1912 the castle stood in ruins for 200 years and was owned by the MacKenzie and the MacRae families who were supporters of the Jacobite cause. As clever as people can be, it was decided to store gun powder at the castle, which was shipped in from Spain. The English army got hold of this information and thought to bomb the stronghold causing huge unfavorable fireworks, leaving the castle a ruin. Imagine that in the 6th century an abbot (Abbot Donan) decided to found a type of monastery on this island until the Norseman came and killed about 52 monks inhabiting this island at that time. So you see, Eilean Donan's history goes further back than you might have thought. Luckily one of the MacRae's thought to rebuild the ruin in the beginning of the 20th century with the money of his rich wife and re-erected this magnificent building as it stands today. Inside, you can roam around freely and explore the keep and surrounding areas. The rooms can be quite small, but look very cozy. It is easy to imagine to spend your summer holidays on this island in one of these rooms. Some of the hallways and entrances are extraordinarily narrow, so it might not be so easy to maneuver for some. Having said this, the castle is a brilliant place to play hide and seek. It has all these hidden passages and niche rooms. Brilliant! Group tickets cost about £6 and is worth every penny. On the mainland you will also be able to sit in a coffee shop and restaurant, use the toilets and buy something from the well presented and stocked gift shop. Note: During the summer month the castle can be quite crowded with people, due to its popularity, such best to make sure to get there as early or as late as possible. Enjoy your trip to Eilean Donan. read more
6 years ago
Instagrammed to death? Perhaps. Emblematic? Sure is. Still a nice site to visit especially for the view across the water. read more
9 years ago
So glad that we can make it to visit this astonishingly beautiful landmark of Scottish history. This mid-13th century restored castle is majestic, with its stunning views on the three sea lochs meeting point (Alsh, Duich and Long) Its interiors, alcoves, bedrooms and unevenly shaped rooms give visitors a real taste of what would it be to live in a Scottish castle. Even though internal photography is not permitted, you can purchase the Eilean Donan Castle Official Guide Book at the gift shop. You'll learn a lot of Scottish history from King Alexander II to the Macrae Clan, all of it 100% worth the £ 7.50 bargain price paid for the ticket, money very well spent indeed. If you have to pick one Highland Scottish castle to see... well, this is the one. 10/10 attraction & highly recommended. read more
7 years ago
We drove to the Isle of Skye and took the ferry over. On the return we stopped at Eilean Donan Castle. Parking was tricky because so many people were visiting. This is a good place to see the beautiful lake and the walk out to the castle is impressive. read more
Take a Moment to Consider Our tour group leader brought us here to view this historic castle. With the big crowds and the full parking lot, we just took a moment to view and savor this historic site without going in for a tour. Our guide narrated some history for us and that, with the view on a spectacular day, was enough. read more
The face of Scotland as portrayed in many a brochure and tourist info . Eileen Donan castle is spectacular in the flesh . Beautiful views inside and out await the eye and worth the admission fee of seven pounds . It is privately owned by a charitable trust whose trustees have family ties to the castle . There is an excellent visitor centre housing a large cafe amongst other things . Well worth a visit . read more
I had been dying to come here ever since I saw Highlander, and I wasn't disappointed. The most photographed castle in the world was the subject of many shots by my camera. Is hard to photograph without people when there are so many tourists here, so make the most of those enjoying the surrounds instead. The tour is excellent and they have done a fantastic job of maintaining and recreating the interior. Well worth the visit. read more
This is one of those places that you see pop up all over the internet, movies, shows, brochures, etc. We had to come see it for ourselves, and since we were headed this way to go to the Isle of Skye we were basically already here. There is a small admission fee to cross the bridge to the castle, but if you've already come all this way to see it then you might as well go in and take a bunch of pictures! The price wasn't a big deal anyhow. The inside of the castle has a lot of random memorabilia type of items, as well as personal photos of the family that owns the castle. It could be interesting to some, but I was more visiting to take pictures of the castle itself and its surroundings. Even if you don't want to go into the castle (maybe because of the admission fee) you can still snap amazing pictures from the parking lot or before you cross the bridge. read more
9 years ago
This was our first visit to Isle of Skye and the number one thing on our list of things to see was the Eilean Donan Castle. We took a bus from our cruise ship at the Port of Portree. It was a spectacular drive out as the weather was gorgeous. Our first look at the castle was magical. It was spectacular. After a brief stop in the gift shop we went to the gate to meet our tour guide. He took us into the castle and up to a huge room when another guide took over and explained everything about the room and it's history. Seems this 13th Century Castle was destroyed in a war and was rebuilt in the early 1900's and work is still in progress.Then up to another room and another guide to give us the history of it. both rooms were filled with artifacts and family pictures. We were then on our own to tour the upstairs and the bedrooms, kitchen and the remaining parts of the castle. The castle is privately owned by the MacRae Family supposedly they live there at times so they do not allow any photographs inside. If you've ever wanted to see and tour a castle this one is well worth a visit. read more
12 years ago
One star because there was free parking available in the lot. One star because the washrooms were clean and toiletries were present. One star because there was fresh food for purchase in the gift shop. One star because the castle is simply beautiful, without cosmetic upgrades or strobe lights to get more people to pay over 6pounds per person to see its interior. Minus one star because the castle was closed when our group arrived during posted business hours on March 22 2014...and no one was there to sell tickets. Overall see it if you have time as it is one of several memorable parts of the Scottish experience! Great for kids and adults, carriages and wheelchair users also. read more
13 years ago
10 years ago
The iconic castle everyone associates with Scotland, it was even featured in "Made of Honor" with Patrick Dempsey, but it isn't at all like it looks in that film. We loved it, and it is very interesting, but much of the structure you see is walls, with very little space inside that could be occupied. Glad I finally got to see it. read more
13 years ago
12 years ago
It's my friend Gerald's favorite castle. The food was tasty. None of those £.25 binocular stands either. Class. read more
11 years ago
I have been coming to Scotland on and off for 5 years and have just finally made it is Eilean Donan castle. It does not disappoint! I unfortunately came at low tide but it was still breath takingly beautiful. Worth coming to on a sunny day! read more
14 years ago
17 years ago
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