The Daily Diary of a Wandering Restaurateur
Castle Eilean Donan
OK, I snagged this off the Internet. I don't have a camera that can take panoramic photos and the sun was definitely not shining today! But I thought it did give a good idea of how the castle is located on a desolate point jutting into the water.
A bit of history on this place: The original castle was built in 1220 as defense 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 April 1719 the castle was occupied by Spanish troops attempting to start another Jacobite Rising. The castle was recaptured, then demolished, by three Royal Navy frigates in May 1719. It sat in ruins for centuries. The castle was restored between 1919 and 1932 which also added the arched bridge to give easier access.
Eilean Donan (which means Island of Donan) is now one of the most photographed monuments in Scotland and a popular location for weddings and movies including the 1999 James Bond film, The World Is Not Enough. I may have to watch that again, just to see an Aston Martin race across that stone bridge!
What we see now that looks and feels so ancient is really fairly new construction. It is a brooding sort of place from the outside but warms up considerably once you get inside.
The part of the castle that has been opened to the public is an interesting mix of old and new. There are still tiny spiral stone stairs up through the towers to tiny rooms but the guest rooms are very 30's, reminding me a lot of my grandparents' house. (Perhaps I am really dating myself with that remark!) They did go a bit goofy in the kitchen with costumed mannequins depicting life in the castle circa the late 30's, complete with looping recorded sound effects in the background. It all felt out of place to me.
© 2009 Restaurant Doctor
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