Photos and the City

Tag: travel

  • Eilean Donan Castle

    eilean donan castle, scotland, highlands, movie, travel, uk, clouds, castle,

    I had planned to do a quick picknick with a view of Eilean Donan Castle but the weather wasn´t quite in the mood for that. But I still enjoyed looking at this Scottish beauty I´ve already known from so many movies.

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    Eilean Donan ( Eilean Donnain) Is a small island in the Scottish Highlands where three lochs meet:  Loch Duich, Loch Long and Loch Alsh. The picturesque castle is often described as the most beautiful in Scotland and is connected with a stone bridge to the mainland since a renovation in the 20th century.

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    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 (Wikipedia)

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    eilean donan castle, scotland, highlands, movie, travel, uk, clouds, castle,

    The village Dornie about one kilometre from the castle. The castle was rebuilt between 1919 and 1932 and included the construction of the arched stone bridge. The rebuilding followed the exact ground plan but details of the present castle differ from its original appearance.

    I didn´t feel the need to go inside (and visit during the day) but came back the next day in the evening. When the official opening times are over one is allowed to cross the bridge for free and walk around the island – and there were way fewer people than during the day!

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    Again the view from above – from the old road.

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  • Along the way to Dornie

    My final destination for this day way a B&B near Eilean Donan Castle, my most northern stop for this time. But there was still a little way to drive and a few things to see. For tea I choose the “Castle Stalker view” – a lovely little restaurant with the best view of Castle Stalker.

    Along the way to Dornie 1

    Set on an island in Loch Laich Castle Stalker is privately owned, even though they now offer tours to the castle during the summer (which I only found out right, but that´s a good reason to go back there another time).

    Along the way to Dornie 2Along the way to Dornie 3

    Driving around moody lochs and being stopped by boats going through a lock.

    Along the way to Dornie 4Along the way to Dornie 5Along the way to Dornie 6Along the way to Dornie 7

    And again we were stopped by heavy transport – there were some wings going by…

    Along the way to Dornie 8

    Finally the first view of Eilean Donan Castle, which I´ve known already from so many movies and tales.

    Along the way to Dornie 9

    It was raining cats and dogs when I arrived at the Seadrift B&B and lucky me, otherwise I would have missed this special greeting!

    Along the way to Dornie 10Along the way to Dornie 11Along the way to Dornie 12

    The Skye Bridge, connecting Skye to the mainland was only a few minutes drive, but this time I saw Skye only from this side!

  • Dunstaffnage Castle and Chapel

    Passing Oban I was ready for another stop and nice stroll at Dunstaffnage Caste, an impressive but grim old ruinous walled castle right after Oban.

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    Built around 1220 by Duncan MacDougall, the son of Earl Somerled, known also as the ‘King of the Isles’, Dunstaffnage Castle was built at the height of the battle between Scotland and Norway for control of the Hebrides and was even once besieged by Robert the Bruce during the Wars of Independence. Its formidable stone curtain still has the power to inspire awe in visitors while Dunstaffnage Chapel, concealed amongst the trees, offers a stunning example of 13th century architecture. (Visit Scotland)

    dunstaffage castle, oban, argyll, bute, scotland, castle, the campells, ruins, walls, summer, my british summer

    The former kitchen & fireplace

    dunstaffage castle, oban, argyll, bute, scotland, castle, the campells, ruins, walls, summer, my british summer

    It´s one of Scotlands oldest castles and seen quite a lot of action during the centuries. But even before that there stronghold “was held by the kings of Dalriada in the 7th century, and one of the places where the Stone of Destiny was perhaps kept.” (The castle of Scotland)

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    The gatehouse inside the walls was added in the 18th century and the

    residential compartments are believed to be where Flora MacDonald is believed to have been held prisoner have helping Bonnie Prince Charlie evade capture by the Redcoats following his disastrous defeat at Culloden in 1746. (Visit Scotland)

    But she only stayed for a few days until she was moved into the Tower of London.

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    dunstaffage castle, oban, argyll, bute, scotland, castle, the campells, ruins, walls, summer, my british summer

    A little bit behind the castle in the woods there is a chapel also dating from the 13th century.

    dunstaffage castle, oban, argyll, bute, scotland, castle, the campells, ruins, walls, summer, my british summerdunstaffage castle, oban, argyll, bute, scotland, castle, the campells, ruins, walls, summer, my british summerdunstaffage castle, oban, argyll, bute, scotland, castle, the campells, ruins, walls, summer, my british summer