Eilean Donan Castle, Loch Duich, Western Highlands, Scotland, United Kingdom, Europe
Eilean Donan is a small tidal island where three sea lochs meet, Loch Duich, Loch Long and Loch Alsh, in the western Highlands of Scotland. A picturesque castle that frequently appears in photographs, film and television dominates the island, which lies about 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) from the village of Dornie. Since the castle's restoration in the early 20th century, a footbridge has connected the island to the mainland. Eilean Donan is part of the Kintail National Scenic Area, one of 40 in Scotland. In 2001, the island had a recorded population of just one person, but there were no usual residents at the time of the 2011 census. Eilean Donan, which means simply island of Donnán, is named after Donnán of Eigg, a Celtic saint martyred in 617. Donnán is said to have established a church on the island, though no trace of this remains. The castle was founded in the thirteenth century, and became a stronghold of the Clan Mackenzie and their allies the Clan Macrae. In the early eighteenth century, the Mackenzies' involvement in the Jacobite rebellions led in 1719 to the castle's destruction by government ships. Lieutenant-Colonel John Macrae-Gilstrap's twentieth-century reconstruction of the ruins produced the present buildings.
Old Photographs Lochcarron Wester Ross Scotland
Tour Scotland wee video of old photographs of Lochcarron, Scottish Gaelic: Loch Carrann, a village, community and civil parish in the Wester Ross area of the Highlands. The name Lochcarron is also applied to the collection of small settlements strung out along Loch Carron, a sea loch on the west coast of Ross and Cromarty. The village stretches for almost 2 miles, meandering along the shore of the loch. It means Loch of rough water.
Scotland - Lochcarron - Slumbay Island
Highland Games, Lochcarron, Scotland, 2015
This was the 37th Friendly Games, held annually in the grounds of the Attadale Estate, near Lochcarron in Wester Ross, in the North West Highlands of Scotland, and featuring a traditional mixture of heavy events, track and field plus highland dancing and piping displays. The famous Hill Climb is a race up and down the hill you see in the background - and the record is just over 19 minutes. The weight throw for height competition was for the British Championship.
Clan Forbes v Wallace Tug O' War & ladies open during the 2018 Lonach Highland Games
Members of Clan Forbes in the dark green tartan take on the Wallace Men in the red tartan, during the Loach Highland Games 2018. This is part of the Lonach Gathering in Bellabeg, Streathdon, Scotland, where members of the clans compete in traditional games. After the clan challenge, there is an open competition for women at the games.
Inverness, Dunrobin Castle and the Highlands
Inverness is the door to the highlands. From the city of Inverness, you head north to see Dunrobin Castle and beautiful vistas. For more information on Traveling in the United Kingdom (or traveling to Europe in general) check out my book How I Travel to Europe Every Year on a Teacher's Salary - Also available is the Travels in the UK series:
Eilean Donan Castle, Loch Duich, Western Highlands, Scotland, United Kingdom, Europe
Eilean Donan is a small tidal island where three lochs meet, Loch Duich, Loch Long and Loch Alsh, in the western Highlands of Scotland; since the castle's restoration in the early 20th Century, a footbridge has connected the island to the mainland. A picturesque castle that frequently appears in photographs, film and television dominates the island, which lies about 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) from the village of Dornie. Eilean Donan is part of the Kintail National Scenic Area, one of 40 in Scotland. In 2001, the island had a recorded population of just one person, but there were no usual residents at the time of the 2011 census. Eilean Donan, which means simply island of Donnán, is named after Donnán of Eigg, a Celtic saint martyred in 617. Donnán is said to have established a church on the island, though no trace of this remains. The castle was founded in the thirteenth century, and became a stronghold of the Clan Mackenzie and their allies the Clan Macrae. In the early eighteenth century the Mackenzies' involvement in the Jacobite rebellions led in 1719 to the castle's destruction by government ships. Lieutenant-Colonel John Macrae-Gilstrap's twentieth-century reconstruction of the ruins produced the present buildings. It is possible that an early Christian monastic cell was founded on the island in the 6th or 7th century, dedicated to Donnán of Eigg, an Irish saint who was martyred on Eigg in April 617. No remains of any Christian buildings survive, though fragments of vitrified stone, subjected to very high temperatures, have been discovered indicating the presence of an Iron Age or early medieval fortification. The present castle buildings are entirely the result of 20th-century reconstruction and, although the rebuilding followed the extant ground plan, the details of the present castle differ from its original appearance. The survey drawings by Lewis Petit were not rediscovered until the restoration was almost complete, and the restorers therefore were forced to rely on less accurate interpretations such as the work of MacGibbon and Ross, who attempted a plan of the remains in the late 19th century. Indeed the clerk of works, Farquhar Macrae, is said to have based the reconstruction on a dream in which he saw the restored Eilean Donan. Rather than a genuinely medieval castle, Eilean Donan is described as a romantic reincarnation in the tradition of early 20th-century castle revivals. John Gifford, analysing the building against the Petit survey, notes a fussy elaboration of what was probably plain originally, and an omission of decoration where it once existed, and describes the interior as a rubbly Edwardian stage-set for life in the Middle Ages. The castle is today entered from the south, via a modern portal complete with a portcullis. Above the door is a Gaelic inscription which in translation reads: As long as there is a Macrae inside, there will never be a Fraser outside, referring to a bond of kinship between the two clans, and a similar inscription which once adorned the Fraser's home at Beaufort Castle. Above this is carved the coat of arms of John Macrae-Gilstrap. The portal gives access to the courtyard, the level of which has been lowered exposing the bedrock around the tower house. The present buildings at the south-east of the castle reflect the form of the earlier structures, including the circular stair tower, but are larger in extent. To the south-west only the southern portion of the L-shaped block was reconstructed, as a plain three-storey house, while in place of the northern wing is an open platform giving views over the loch. A small tower occupies the north-west angle. The keep itself follows the original dimensions, though the formerly subdivided ground floor is now a single room: the tunnel-vaulted Billeting Hall. Above on the first floor is the Banqueting Hall with an oak ceiling, and decorated with coats of arms and 15th-century style fireplace. The main ceiling beams in the Banqueting Hall are of Douglas Fir and were shipped from British Columbia, Canada as a gift from the Macraes of Canada. Small mural chambers within the walls are accessed from each hall. At an unknown period, probably in the later 14th century or early 15th century, the outer wall was abandoned in favour of a smaller defensive enclosure, around 25 metres (82 ft) square. The entrance to this smaller courtyard was from the east. The reasons for this change are unclear, though it is suggested that the smaller area would have been easier to defend. During the 16th century two buildings were added to the southern periphery of the enclosure.
Day 2: Through the Highlands to Plockton and Skye
August 20, 2017
Old Photographs Stromeferry Highlands Of Scotland
Tour Scotland wee video of old photographs of Stromeferry, Scottish Gaelic: Port an t-Sròim, a village, located on the south shore of Loch Carron, in Wester Ross in the Scottish Highlands. Its name reflects its former role as the location of one of the many coastal ferry services which existed prior to the expansion of the road network in the 20th century. It is served by Stromeferry railway station and is close to the A890 road. Strome Castle is opposite on the northern bank. Observance of the Sabbath was strong in the Highlands in the 19th century and the railway company's running of trains on Sundays caused considerable controversy among the local population. On 3 June 1883, Stromeferry was the scene of a Sabbatarian riot in which over 200 fishermen took possession of the railway terminus to prevent the unloading of fish on a Sunday. 10 men were imprisoned as a result. The involvement of both police and military in breaking the riot was questioned in the House of Commons where it was stated that there was no law preventing Sunday traffic in Scotland. Stromeferry was the original terminus of the Dingwall and Skye Railway which opened in 1870. Trains connected with steamer services from the pier to the islands of Skye, Lewis and mainland villages. The village expanded rapidly including the construction of a hotel serving rail and ferry passengers. Following the extension to railway line to Kyle of Lochalsh which was completed in 1897 and provided a much shorter sea crossing to the islands, Stromeferry declined in importance.Stromeferry Hotel was designed by Alexander Ross and built in 1872, with alterations made in 1882. It was convenient for both rail and ferry passengers, being near Stromeferry station and close to the old jetty for the ferry service which once operated there
Loch Duich, Western Highlands, Scotland, United Kingdom, Europe
Loch Duich is a sea loch situated on the western coast of Scotland, in the Highlands. In 1719, British forces burned many homesteads along the loch's shores in the month preceding the Battle of Glen Shiel. Eilean Donan Castle stands at the meeting point of Loch Duich, Loch Long, and Loch Alsh. A legend connected with Loch Duich states that three brothers who went fishing at the loch one night became enraptured by three seal-maidens who had thrown off their furs, assumed the likeness of humans, and danced in the moonlight on the sands. The brothers stole their furs, intending to claim the seal-maidens as their wives. The youngest brother, however, moved by the seal-girl's distress, returned her seal-skin. For his kindness, the girl's father allowed the youngest brother to visit the maiden every ninth night. As for the other two brothers, the middle brother lost his wife after the seal-maiden he had captured found her stolen fur, while the eldest brother burnt his wife's fur as a preventative measure, only to burn her accidentally in the process. The infamous McRae film connected with the Loch Ness Monster was supposedly shot as a close-up of not only Nessie in its habitat of Loch Ness, but a second film allegedly shows a similar animal in Loch Duich. Both films are, according to most sources, held in a secret trust, and few people have seen either film. It is still a mystery as to whether the films exist at all, but are accepted by several Loch Ness researchers.
Lochcarron of Scotland
History and images of Scotland's leading tartan and fashion fabric weaver - showing Ewan McGregor, Gavin Hastings amoung others in their Lochcarron Kilts -
North Coast 500 A Pure Highlands Adventure
Scotland has a spirit of its own and the Highlands of Scotland represents some of those breathtaking landscapes and magical moments. Discover the North Coast 500, one of the most beautiful coastal route in the world!
Shieldaig - Wester Ross - Scotland
A peaceful village on Loch Torridon in Wester Ross, with film of Shieldaig Island. A great pit stop on the NC 500.
Old Photographs Poolewe Highlands Of Scotland
Tour Scotland wee video of old photographs of Poolewe, Scottish Gaelic Poll Iù, a small village by Loch Ewe in Wester Ross in the North West Highlands. Poolewe has a relatively warm climate for its latitude, thanks to the Gulf Stream, which creates an almost sub tropical climate. While the winter in Poolewe is generally cold and wet, the maritime location means that it receives only a few days of snow a year. The Northern Lights are visible on occasion, depending on the weather and time of year; most often in winter. The River Ewe, one of the shortest in Scotland.
Strathconon -Scotland
A pretty journey along Strathcarron taking in deer and the colourful countryside.
Strome Castle, Loch Carron, West Scotland
Strome Castle, Loch Carron, West Scotland
West Highlands, Scotland.
Lochcarron, Shieldaig and Torridon. 17th May 2012
Scottish Landscapes: Eilean Donan Castle, Loch Torridon & Lochcarron
Video was taken from the from the A890 & A896. Eilean Donan is a small island in Loch Duich in Scotland. 1km from the village of Dornie. For more info :
Loch Torridon is a sea loch on the west coast of Scotland in the Highlands. The loch was created by glacial processes and is in total around 25km long.
It has two sections: Upper Loch Torridon and east of Rubha na h-Airde Ghlaise,where they Loch Sheildaig; and the a section of Loch Torridon. Loch a' Chracaich and Loch Beag are small inlets.
Torridon is an area of outstanding natural beauty. It's combination of rock and water, changing seasons and moods make this an awe-inspiring place to visit. For walkers a paradise. Golden Eagles, Otters, Deer, are just some wildlife here. You've got sandy beaches and castles and you can do whale watching!
Beautiful & Serene Plockton village. The Scottish Highlands
A 6 hour drive from Glasgow in the beautiful heavenly Scottish highlands to arrive in the mesmerizing little heaven of a village called Plockton
Flowerdale Cottage, Gairloch, Wester Ross, Scotland - Qualify self catering holiday accommodation
tucked away in the heart of Flowerdale glen and surrounded by a mature woodland with a tumbling private waterfall at the end of the enclosed garden. This glorious and traditional West Highland Estate provides a range of landscapes, wildlife and sporting opportunities for all ages to enjoy, and this from the comfort of a most attractive and well appointed cottage.