![]() It took 20 years, but the result of his efforts is quite simply magical, providing one of Scotland’s most iconic sights and certainly one of the best castles in Scotland. In 1911 John Macrae-Gilstrap bought the island and set to work rebuilding the castle. For nearly 200 years a neglected stump was all that was left of the castle sitting on its little island. Over the centuries the castle expanded until 1719 when it was occupied by Spanish soldiers and blown up by the Royal Navy during the 1719 Jacobite Uprising. It was built to protect the surrounding lands from Viking raiders. ![]() It’s thought the first castle was built on the Saint Donan’s Isle, hence the successor castle’s Gaelic name - Eilean Donan, in the 13th Century. It’s also appeared in many movies including Highlander, Made of Honour and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. You will almost certainly have seen pictures of the castle sitting on its little island in books and tourist brochures. It’s true, iconic Eilean Donan isn’t on the winged isle, but it is so close and so famous it has to be included on our list. One of her pupils was the legendary Ulster hero, Cuchulainn after whom the Cuillin Mountains are said to have been named. It was here that she trained young fighters in the martial arts to become fully-fledged warriors. Indeed the castle was named after her, Scathach means Shadowy and Dun Scaith, Castle of Shadows. Ownership of Dunscaith switched several times before being finally being held by the MacDonald’s.Īccording to Gaelic mythology Scathach, the mythical warrior queen had her base at Dun Scaith. The natural defences of Dunscaith didn’t deter the Clan MacDonald, however, and they captured the Sleat Peninsula including the castle in 1435. Overlooking Loch Dunvegan, the castle is surrounded by extensive formal gardens which contain exotic plants, specimen trees and gushing waterfalls. It has been the home of the Chiefs of the Clan MacLeod since the 1300s. Dunvegan Castle and Gardensĭunvegan is the only Highland castle to have been inhabited continuously by the same family for over 800 years. Let’s have a look at the most popular attractions. They range from ruined remains to grand houses filled with historical artefacts. ![]() There are seven castles located on the Isle of Skye. Continually having to watch the road, rather than the glorious scenery is a real drawback too. You can always hire a car, but then you’ll not have the benefit of the insightful commentary provided by an expert driver/guide. Several itineraries are available, allowing you to explore different attractions on Skye, including the famous Trotternish Peninsula and Glenbrittle Fairy Pools. If your time is short, then an Isle of Skye one day tour from Inverness might be a perfect choice. Perhaps the most exciting way to reach the island is aboard the famous Jacobite Steam Train to Mallaig then taking the ferry “over the sea to Skye”. It’s easy to include Skye on your next visit to Scotland.
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