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Eilean Donan Castle | |
County |
Highland | |
How to get there |
8 miles east of Kyle of Lochalsh, off A87 | |
History
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The castle stands
on a rocky island at the head of a promontory where three lochs join. In 1220
Alexander II built a fortress on the island as a precaution against Viking
raiders. A well was sunk to a great depth to provide the castle with fresh
water during a siege. The Macrea family became hereditary constables of the island on behalf of the earls of Seaforth. The castle's colourful history includes legends of the Macraes displaying the heads of their enemies along the battlements and withstanding an attack on the castle when they were outnumbered 400 to 1 However, the family's loyalty to the Jacobite cause in the early 18th century led to downfall of the castle. In 1719 the castle was garrisoned for the Old Pretender by a small force of Spanish troops. An English man-of-war, H.M.S. Worcester, bombarded the garrison into submission and destroyed the castle. The castle remained a ruin until 1912 when Colonel John Macrea decided to restore the home of his ancestors. Over the next 20 years the castle was rebuilt to the original plan and an arched stone bridge constructed to join the site to the mainland. The interior of the castle is furnished in the style of a Scottish laird's home and has a collection of Highland relics, pistols and powder horns. |
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