Eilean Donan Castle
Ó Copyright, All Rights Reserved,
Barry W. Hollritt, 2004 

This is Eilean Donan Castle. People who come by are always asking me, “do you have any Scottish castles?” The answer is “YES”! When you travel to the Island of Skye, you will find the castle on a rocky type of outcrop where Lochs Long, Loch Duich, and Loch Alsh meet. The ancient Picts of Scotland had a fort on the present site of this magnificent castle and Pictish ruins were found during the castle's renovations. Interestingly, right opposite the castle is the sculptured impression of a human foot in a stone. These have been found in other parts of Scotland at the entrances to Iron Age settlements. The castle is named after St. Donan, who very well might have been a Pictish priest. Eilean Donan is Gaelic for "Donan's Island." The castle dates back to at least the 1200’s when Alexander III gave the surrounding lands to Colin Fitzgerald for his help in defeating the Norse King Haco at the battle of Largs in 1263. The family later changed their name to Mackenzie. The castle is mainly a 13th century wall with a 14th century tower on one end. Other ranges were added later around the courtyard. The main hall of the tower is on the first floor. The castle also boasts a ghost of one of the soldiers of the Spanish garrison who at one time occupied the castle. The day I arrived it was between a rain squall and I photographed it with the hills behind it since I wanted the feel of the Highlands in the image.  There is so much history in these wonderful Scottish Castles, I can’t even begin to share the history that the photograph represents.  You’ll just have to go! … with or without me!