Restored medieval Eilean Donan castle in Kyle of Lochalsh, West Scotland

Eilean Donan Scottish Gaelic: Eilean Donnain is a small tidal island where three sea lochs meet, Loch Duich, Loch Long and Loch Alsh, in the western Highlands of Scotland. A famous castle by the same name is located in the island, close to 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. 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.

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