There are so many Scots castles and manor houses, that we only went to those on our way, and did not even try to see them all. See www.castles.org for a list of Scots castles. This large castle is Eilean Donan, with refurbished and refurnished rooms and wax figures (as in Madame Tussaud's) in action: kitchen staff at work, a lady choosing her gown, butlers. There is even a bridge now to get to it. Before, the tides coming in served as a fine defense. See more on the layout and history at www.eileandonancastle.com/.
Eilean Donan Castle, Loch Duich, Scotland
The church structure originally on the site in the 600's was named for a martyr, Donnan of Eigg, a Celt, and no trace remains. In the 13th Century, a castle was built for refuge for the Mackenzies and the MacRaes. It was destroyed in the 1700's in the Jacobite rebellions. The ruins were reconstructed in the 20th Century. .
This smaller castle, on the island, is not open to visitors. It is Castle Stalker, north of Oban. It is not occupied, but is a fine backdrop to a walk on the beach area at the loch. See http://www.castles.org. Building on peninsulas or islands made sense for security. From reading, it appears that the men were often away fighting, thus the high and narrow windows for defense.
Castle Stalker,
Spending the night: Go first to the castle you want to see, then look for a nearby B&B or hotel. Do not go to the town first, and then look for the castle. It may be at a distance. If you find the castle first, and stay near it, you can enjoy the evening and the morning light near the site, and walk around, and without getting back in the car. See www.castles.org.
Eilean Donan Castle, Loch Duich, ScotlandThe church structure originally on the site in the 600's was named for a martyr, Donnan of Eigg, a Celt, and no trace remains. In the 13th Century, a castle was built for refuge for the Mackenzies and the MacRaes. It was destroyed in the 1700's in the Jacobite rebellions. The ruins were reconstructed in the 20th Century. .
This smaller castle, on the island, is not open to visitors. It is Castle Stalker, north of Oban. It is not occupied, but is a fine backdrop to a walk on the beach area at the loch. See http://www.castles.org. Building on peninsulas or islands made sense for security. From reading, it appears that the men were often away fighting, thus the high and narrow windows for defense.
Castle Stalker, Spending the night: Go first to the castle you want to see, then look for a nearby B&B or hotel. Do not go to the town first, and then look for the castle. It may be at a distance. If you find the castle first, and stay near it, you can enjoy the evening and the morning light near the site, and walk around, and without getting back in the car. See www.castles.org.
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