Eilean Donan Castle, Lochalsh

Eilean Donan Castle, Lochalsh

ID: QZP40_287_P001 DESCRIPTION: Eilean Donan is a 12th-century castle on a small island where Loch Alsh, Loch Duich and Loch Long meet. It was built by Alexander II as protection against the Vikings. Alexander III gave it to the Irish Earl of Desmond and it was later passed into the hands of the MacKenzies. The castle was exchanged several times between the MacKenzies and the Morays before John MacKenzie of Kintail was granted the castle by Royal Charter. Eilean Donan Castle was occupied by Spanish troops during the failed 1719 Jacobite Rising. As a result it was shelled by government frigates and abandoned to ruin. In 1912 the castle was bought by Lieutenant Colonel John MacRae-Gilstrap who had it rebuilt, between 1914 and 1949, and a bridge added. Eilean Donan Castle is one of the most recognised castles in Scotland, being used in numerous postcards, calendars and films. This illustration is taken from 'Scenes and Stories from the North of Scotland' by John Sinclair PLACENAME: Eilean Donan Castle DISTRICT: South West Ross OLD COUNTY/PARISH: ROSS: Kintail DATE OF IMAGE: 1890 PERIOD: 1890s SOURCE: Highland Libraries COLLECTION: Fraser Mackintosh Collection (illustrations) Asset ID: 31067 KEYWORDS: