As
protectors of the MacKenzies, the MacRaes first became 'Constables
of Eilean Donan' in 1511 with considerable control over the surrounding
area. In 1539 a dispute with Donald Gorm MacDonald over the title
'Lord of the Isles' began when MacDonald sailed 50 galleys to
Eilean Donan where there were only 2 men in the castle (Constable
John Dubh Matheson and a watchman). Realising their plight another
man, Duncan MacRae went to their aid. The MacDonalds besieged
the castle and with his last remaining arrow MacRae hit Gorm MacDonald
in the foot, who then removed the arrow severing an artery. After
his death, his men returned to set fire to the castle, but with
little success.
By
1618 the Reverend Farquhar was the Constable of Eilean Donan.
He lived their in great opulence and was eventually expelled in
1651, and the Scottish Parliament garrisoned the castle. Their
soldiers suffered at the hands of the local people and soon withdrew,
but only 3 years later General Monk (Oliver Cromwells Lieutenant)
brought an army to Kintail to take severe revenge on the area.
In
1715 the Jacobites met at Eilean Donan on their way to battle
in Sheriffmuir and 4 years later in 1719, the castle was garrisoned
for the Jacobites by 46 Spanish soldiers, when an expeditionary
force was sent to Scotland and set up their headquarters at Eilean
Donan Castle.
On 10th May, 1719, three English Government frigates, Worcester,
Enterprise and Flamborough, set sail into Loch Duich and the Worcester
(48 guns) and Enterprise (44 guns) attacked Eilean Donan Castle.
The Castle, fell after a short bombardment, and the Spanish soldiers
surrendered. Afterwards, Captain Herdman of the Enterprise was
sent ashore to accept the garrisons surrender and systematically
blow up what remained, including 343 barrels of gunpowder.
The
castle was destroyed and left for ruins for nearly 200 years until
they were rebuilt by a MacRae of the twentieth century. Lt.Col.
John MacRae-Gilstrap, grandfather of the present Constable of
Eilean Donan, rebuilt the Castle with the aid of Farquhar MacRae,
who had seen a vision of the ruined stronghold restored to its
former glory. Every detail of the restored structure was faithful
to the original which was revealed to Farquhar MacRae in his dream,
and later confirmed by old plans of Eilean Donan preserved with
other records in Edinburgh Castle.
The
romance of the reality is in the remarkable achievement of these
two men to restore Eilean Donan to its former glory. The project
took the dedication of these men and 20 years of their lives,
through the First World War and at a cost of a quarter of a million
pounds, it was completed in July 1932.
At
the heart of MacRae country, the castle stands as a remarkable
monument to its time.
It;s
very recent history is a one of the most romantic castles in Scotland
and as a truly unforgettable place for the 
wedding
of anyone's dreams. You may not yet have visited this special
place, but you have probably seen Eilean Donan Castle in one of
her many guises on the small and big screens?
Most
famous is the castles role in the movie 'Highlander' starring
Christopher Lambert & Sean Connery. It has also featured in
'Loch Ness', with Ted Danson, 'The Master of Ballintrae' with
Erol Flynn, and even 007 could not keep away!
Eilean
Donan Castle is something special, its history and its unique
scenic beauty are things not to be missed.
For
more information on a Highland Wedding at Eilean Donan Castle
and other Highland Castle Weddings in Scotland - Contact
Us
