Eilean Donan Castle overlooks the Isle of Skye, at the point where three great sea-lochs meet. Bishop Donan chose the tranquil spot back in 634AD to settle on and create a monastic cell. The first castle was later established in the 13th century by King Alexander II in an effort to help protect the area from Vikings who raided, settled and controlled much of the North of Scotland and the Western Isles between 800 and 1266. From the mid 13th century, this area was the quite seperate “Sea Kingdom” of the Lord of the Isles where the sea was the main highway and the power of feuding clan chiefs was counted by the number of men and galleys or “birlinns” at their disposal. Eilean Donan offered the perfect defensive position. War came to Eilean Donan during the Jacobite Rebellion of 1719. Britain had gone to war with Spain in 1718, and Spain saw a chance to destabilise Britain by inciting another Jacobite Rebellion. In April 1719 a small Spanish force under George Keith, Earl Marishcal landed first on the Isle of Lewis and then at Loch Alsh making Eilean Donan Castle their headquarters. With the support of numerous clans, including Clan Mackenzie and Clan MacGregor, the army proceeded inshore in an attempt to incite more Clans to rally to their cause. However, their absence was timely as on 10 May 1719 a Royal Navy detachment attacked the castle, launching a heavy bombardment that forced the garrison to surrender. Following this, Eilean Donan lay in silent ruin for the best part of two hundred years. The castle we see today was reconstructed as a family home between 1912 and 1932 by Lt Col John MacRae-Gilstrap, and opened to the public in 1955. Eilean Donan has also made several appearances in films including Highlander (1986), James Bond: The World Is Not Enough (1999), and Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007) to name a few. #Scotland #castle #visitscotland #beautifuldestinations #history #explore #gameofthrones #braveheart #fyp #scottish #outlander #beautiful #inspiration #beautifuldestinations #harrypotter #fy - @castlesofscotland