Eilean Donan Castle - more than a photo stop

 It was meant to be a photo stop, because the exterior of the castle is believed to be the most photographed castle in Scotland. You get 30 minutes viewing time, of the exterior, and then the parking police are into you.

We had left in plenty of time because of the strict timing of our parking booking. So being early we went up to a little known, or apparently used, lookout - because there were only 2 other cars there. Fantastic views which the photos do not do justice. Leaving Inverness that morning we had left the sunshine behind. Scotland got a much needed drenching after nearly 9 weeks of no rain. It was drought! We thought it was lovely, and I did get a little sunburnt one day when I forgot the suncream or moisturizer.


So we get down to the castle, and we get a treat, we can walk around the castle walls. Wonderful. I trot off, taking photos all the while. I get to the main entrance and hand out my ticket, and am waved in. In the second room a tour ‘joined me’ and so I got to enjoy the spirited tale of the castle from one of the castle tour guides in MacRae tartan. It was great. The castle had been a ruin since being attacked, or blown up, or was that just Urquhart Castle?

A descendant of the clan bought it in the 1920s and poured millions into rebuilding it. It was full of MacRae family memorabilia. He was in the Black Watch and had some banners used in WWI by his regiment on the walls. I am super-tuned to the Black Watch, in his case, the 42nd regiment, but I knew who they were! Photography was forbidden, but I sneaked a picture by walked out a door onto battlements and taking the image of the banners (albeit incomplete) from there.

Photography is mostly forbidden when trying to sell guide books, or in homes still lived in. The owners still live in this castle.



I thoroughly enjoyed the hour in the castle, as our exterior ticket had allowed more time. I looked at that ticket later that night, it was only for the exterior. But in my glasses-less ignorance, I had walked my way into the castle and onto a tour. But there is always a ‘yang’, I lost my purple scarf - no idea where- and I bought the fateful egg sandwich. I really will stick to apples in my bag from now on.


Today we are off early to go to Mull and Iona islands, and it is sunny - so we may be in luck.and I worked out why my iPhone images were not uploading. I had forgotten to attach my iPhone to the hotels’ (yes over a week’s worth) Internet. Simple really, nothing to do with taking hundreds of photos a day. Now all up there.



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