Eilean Donan

Infobox Scottish island
latitude=57.27
longitude=-5.52
GridReference=NG880260
celtic name= Eilean Donan
norse name=
meaning of name= Island of Donan
area=1 ha
area rank=
highest elevation= 3 m
Population=1
population rank= 94=
main settlement=
island group= Loch Duich
local authority=Highland
references= [2001 UK Census per List of islands of Scotland.] [ [http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/ Ordnance Survey] ]

Eilean Donan (Scottish Gaelic for "Island of Donan"), is a small island in Loch Duich in the western Highlands of Scotland. It is connected to the mainland by a footbridge and lies about half a mile from the village of Dornie. Eilean Donan is named after St. Donan, a celtic saint martyred in the Early Middle Ages.

Eilean Donan castle

, as protectors of the MacKenzies, became the hereditary Constables of the Castle.

In 1539 Iain Dubh Matheson, chief of the Clan Matheson died whilst defending the Castle on Eilean Donan island against the Clan MacDonald of Sleat on behalf of the Clan MacRae and Clan MacKenzie. In April 1719 the castle was occupied by Spanish troops attempting to start another Jacobite Rising. The castle was recaptured, and then demolished, by three Royal Navy frigates on 10–13 May 1719. The Spanish troops were defeated a month later at the Battle of Glen Shiel.

The castle was restored in the years between 1919 and 1932 by Lt. Col. John MacRae-Gilstrap. The restoration included the construction of an arched bridge to give easier access to the castle. In 1983 The Conchra Charitable Trust was formed by the MacRae family to care for the Castle.

It is now one of the most photographed monuments in Scotland and a popular venue for weddings and film locations. It has appeared in such films as "The Master of Ballantrae" (1953)cite web
url=http://www.mcleanscotland.co.uk/movies.asp
title=Scottish locations for Hollywood movies filmed in Scotland by mcleanscotland of Perth tour operator and vacation planners
accessdate=2008-04-03
year=2005
publisher=McLean Scotland] , "The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes" (1970), "Highlander" (1985), "Mio in the Land of Faraway (1987)," "Loch Ness" (1996), Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" (1998), "The World Is Not Enough" (1999), "" (2007), "Made of Honor" (2007) and in BBC mini series "Oliver's Travels". The cover of Secret Garden's album "Dreamcatcher" (2000).

Eilean Donan is the home of the Clan MacRae. In 2001, the island had a population of just one person.

On a clear day it is possible to see the Isle of Skye from the castle.

Gallery

References

Miket and Roberts, "The Mediaeval Castles of Skye and Lochalsh" (2nd edition, Birlinn Ltd, 2007)

External links

* [http://www.eileandonancastle.com/ Eilean Donan Castle official website]
* [http://www.streamdays.com/camera/view/eilean_donan_castle/ Eilean Donan Castle Live Webcam]
* [http://www.flickr.com/groups/eileandonancastle/ Eilean Donan Castle Pictures on Flickr]