Visitor Information for Eilean Donan Castle (summer 2023)

Opening Hours:
- Daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Last entry at 5:00 PM

Admission Fees:
- Adults: £10
- Seniors (60+): £9
- Children (5-15): £6
- Family (2 adults + 3 children): £28

The tale of Eilean Donan is a saga deeply entwined with the destiny of Scotland itself. According to legend, Saint Patrick, the iconic Christian missionary and symbol of Ireland, was kidnapped in his youth by an Irish raider of Norse descent named Niall. In a twist of fate, Niall’s great-grandson, Saint Columba, would later become a pivotal figure in spreading Christianity across the islands and mainland of ancient Dal Riada. The tribe of the Scots and Dal Riada first appear in records around 314 AD. By the late 5th century, Irish migrants from overpopulated Dal Riada founded the Scottish Dal Riada in northern Britain. In 843 AD, this kingdom merged with the Pictish kingdom, laying the foundation for Scotland. Around this time, legend claims a chapel was built on the island, establishing its strategic importance for controlling the region and the route to the Isle of Skye.

Although the early history is shrouded in legend, the next major chapter in Eilean Donan’s story is well-documented. In the early 13th century, at the request of King Alexander of Scotland, the son of Clan Matheson’s chief built the formidable castle we see today. Clan Matheson, a proud Highland clan, derives its name from Gaelic words meaning “son of the bear” or “son of heroes,” with their motto “Fac et spera” (Act and hope) capturing their indomitable spirit. However, their power waned after Alexander II’s death and during the minority of his son, Alexander III, who later became a noble ruler. His son’s inheritance of both the Scottish and English thrones led to conflict with King Edward of England, who seized Scotland and ignited the first wars of Scottish independence. During this turbulent time, King Robert I Bruce sought refuge in Eilean Donan in 1306, then owned by Clan MacKenzie.

Clan MacKenzie (Gaelic: Mac Coinnich) is one of the legendary clans of the Scottish Highlands, woven into the rich tapestry of Scotland’s history. It has gained fame through Diana Gabaldon's captivating "Outlander" series, bringing its dramatic legacy to a global audience. In North America, a river even bears the clan's name, a testament to its enduring influence. The origins of Clan MacKenzie are shrouded in myth, with tales suggesting both Norman and Celtic ancestry. Some say the MacKenzies descend from Loarn, the semi-legendary king of Dal Riada, and share ancient ties with Clans Matheson and Anrias.

Eilean Donan Castle stands as a monument to the clan's storied past. The name MacKenzie comes from the Gaelic Mac Coinneach, meaning "son of the handsome one" or "fair one," with the anglicized form being Kenneth. This noble lineage saw its share of power and peril during Scotland’s tumultuous history.

In the early 14th century, King Robert the Bruce created the title of Earl of Moray for his nephew Thomas Randolph. The ambitious earl seized Eilean Donan Castle, executing 50 adversaries whose heads grimly adorned the castle walls as a stark warning to rebels. The castle's history is a saga of relentless clan warfare, with the MacKenzies tenaciously holding their ground while remaining loyal to Scottish kings, unlike Clan MacRuari, who were granted the castle amidst the chaos of the Scottish Wars of Independence.

Clan MacRuari, also known as MacRuairidh or Ruairidh, was a fierce medieval clan from the Hebrides and the western coast of Scotland. Their founder, Ruairidh mac Raghnaill, was a prominent figure in the 13th century, and the clan played a vital role in the Kingdom of the Isles and the Kingdom of Scotland during the 13th and 14th centuries. The MacRuari controlled the Kintail region and by the 14th century, ruled a vast territory stretching along the northwest coast of Scotland to the Hebrides. As stalwarts of the Kingdom of the Isles, they fiercely resisted Scottish central authority. With the fall of Norwegian power in the region, the clan seamlessly integrated into the Kingdom of Scotland, continuing their legacy of strength and defiance.

The saga of Clan MacKenzie and their fierce rivals, the MacRuari, is a thrilling chapter in the epic story of Scotland and the Eilean Donan castle, filled with battles, alliances, and a relentless fight for survival and honor.

The concept of Kintail is deeply linked to Clan MacKenzie. Kintail (Gaelic: Ceann Tàile, meaning “head of the two seas”) is a historic area in northwest Scotland, located on the straits separating the Isle of Skye from mainland Britain. Kintail itself is a small region between the fjords of Loch Long and Loch Duich, but historically it also includes the Lochalsh peninsula facing Skye. Today, this region is part of the Highland area.

The 17th century was pivotal for the castle’s fate. In 1689, during the “Glorious Revolution,” King James II of the House of Stuart was deposed. Parliament offered the crowns of England and Scotland to William of Orange. The new rulers sought to impose Presbyterianism in Scotland, while many in the Highlands remained Catholic and loyal to the Stuarts, known as Jacobites. This led to a series of Jacobite uprisings and an increase in English military presence in Scotland to enforce control over the Highlands.

In 1715, a powerful Jacobite rebellion erupted in Scotland. John Erskine, the 22nd Earl of Mar, led the charge to restore the exiled King James II Stuart. William MacKenzie, the 5th Earl of Seaforth, joined the cause, leading warriors from the MacKenzie and MacRae clans. Eilean Donan Castle became their meeting point. However, their hopes were dashed at the Battle of Sheriffmuir, where the Jacobites were defeated and 58 MacRae clansmen lost their lives. The rebellion was quickly crushed.

But the spirit of resistance remained alive in Scotland. The surviving Jacobites gained support from Spain and France, leading to the War of the Quadruple Alliance. In 1719, James Butler, the 2nd Duke of Ormonde, led a fleet from Spain, while 300 Spanish soldiers under George Keith arrived at Loch Duich and took over Eilean Donan Castle.

Expecting a larger uprising that never came, the Spanish forces found themselves isolated. In early May, British warships were sent to deal with the threat. On the morning of May 10, 1719, the warships Worcester, Flamborough, and Enterprise anchored near the castle. A boat approached for negotiations, but the Spanish soldiers opened fire. The British ships retaliated with a fierce bombardment, blasting the castle for over an hour. The next day, they continued their assault. By evening, under the cover of heavy cannon fire, British soldiers landed and captured the castle after a brief but intense battle.

After a quick fight, the British captured Eilean Donan Castle. Many Spanish soldiers managed to flee, but the English found a mix of people inside: an Irishman, a captain, a Spanish lieutenant, a sergeant, a Scottish rebel, and 39 Spanish soldiers. They also discovered 343 barrels of gunpowder and 52 barrels of musket balls. For the next two days, the British sailors hauled all the gunpowder to their ships.

However, a dramatic twist occurred. The rebel leaders somehow managed to blow up the castle even after the British had taken control. The fortress was obliterated in a massive explosion. The remaining Spanish prisoners were taken to Edinburgh on the ship Flamborough, while the rest of the Spanish forces were defeated in the Battle of Glen Shiel on June 10.

The once-mighty Eilean Donan Castle then lay in ruins for almost 200 years. By the end of the 19th century, it was nothing more than a crumbling pile of stones, a silent witness to its turbulent past.