June 24, 2016 - Eilean Donan Castle, Kyle of Lachalsh

Fort William:
Before we finally left town, we saw the river locks in action - such a simple concept and so fascinating to watch.
 

At Glenfinnan, we saw a Harry Potter type bridge (0516, 583), Jacobite Monument (527), kids on a beach wearing macs and wellies (rain coats and boots - 590), took the Ferry back the Mainland.

We made our way to Eilean Donan Castle which apparently is probably one of the most photographed castles in Scotland. From https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/eilean-donan-castle-visitor-centre-p248371

“Crossing the bridge to today’s castle, the fourth version, you can clearly understand why Bishop Donan chose the tranquil spot back in 634AD to settle on it and create a monastic cell. The first castle was later established in the 13th century by Alexander II in an effort to help protect the area from Viking incursions. At this stage in history the original castle encompassed the entire island and is believed to have been constructed with seven towers connected by a massive curtain wall. Over the centuries, the castle contracted and expanded for reasons that still remain a mystery to this day, until 1719 when it was involved in one of the lesser known Jacobite uprisings. When the British Government learned that the castle was occupied by Jacobite leaders along with a garrison of Spanish soldiers, three Royal Navy frigates were sent to deal with the uprising. On the 10th of May 1719, the three heavily armed warships moored a short distance off the castle and bombarded it with cannons. With walls of up to 5 metres thick, these cannons had little impact, but eventually the castle was overwhelmed by force. Discovering 343 barrels of gunpowder inside, the Commanding officer gave orders to blow the castle up; following which Eilean Donan lay in silent ruin for the best part of two hundred years.

The castle that visitors enjoy so much today was reconstructed as a family home between 1912 and 1932 by Lt Col John MacRae-Gilstrap, and incorporated much of the ruins from the 1719 destruction. At this point the bridge was added; a structure that is as much a part of the classic image as the very castle itself.”

We settled ourselves in our B and B at Kyle of Lachalsh. The name and how it was pronounced bear no resemblance to each other which made me laugh. We  saw a rainbow after walking back to the B and B after eating at an Indian Restaurant - still not a fan of Indian Food. M headed over to the castle but the tide was rising so she came back.