Eilean Donan Castle (Classic View) - a photo on Flickriver

            The original castle was built in 1220 for Alexander II as a defence against the Vikings. By the late 13th century it had become a stronghold of the Mackenzies of Kintail (later the Earls of Seaforth). In 1511, the MacRaes, 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. A curious distinction is that it has one of only two left-handed spiral staircases in a castle in Great Britain, as the reigning king at the time of building held a sword with his left hand.

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)[3], The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes (1970), Highlander (1985)[3], Mio in the Land of Faraway (1987), Loch Ness (1996)[3], Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), The World Is Not Enough (1999)[3], Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007), Made of Honor (2007) and in BBC mini series "Oliver's Travels". The cover of Secret Garden's album Dreamcatcher (2000) and the Brandywine Celtic Harp Orchestra's CD, "Celtic Journeys" (2008).

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

Taken in: United Kingdom / Scotland / Dornie (show map)

Taken on: May 9, 2009

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Sets appears in: • Landscapes • HDR, Tone Mapping, etc. more » • Monuments & Ruins • England, Scotland & Wales « less

Camera: Canon EOS 40D, f/9.0, 1/250 sec, 62mm, ISO 100 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Canon EOS 40D
Aperture:	f/9.0
Exposure Time:	0.004 sec (1/250)
Focal Length:	62mm
ISO:	100
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Aperture-priority AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
White Balance:	Auto
Color Space:	Uncalibrated
Software:	Paint Shop Pro Photo 12.50
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