Eilean Donan Castle was built c. 1260 ad in the reign of King Alexander II as defense against Viking raids. 
It was garrisoned by the MacKenzies who became barons of Kintail.
From 1450 onward a MacRae was frequently appointed as constable of the castle (although the Baron seldom appointed a MacRae son to succeed his father).
It was a strong keep that was never taken by an enemy during Scotland’s violent early years.
Numerous raids were made by the MacDonalds of the Isles but all were repulsed and Donald Gorm, the last claimant to the title Laird of the Isles was killed by a MacRae arrow from the castle.
The castle was the gathering place of the MacRaes and the warriors danced on the roof of the well tower before the battle of Sherrifmuir in 1715, a battle from which few men returned.
In 1719 MacKenzie (now the Earl of Seaforth) raised a Jacobite army in support of the “King over the water”.
Eilean Donan was garrisoned with Spanish troops and the gunpowder for the army was stored in the castle dungeon.
The Jacobite army encamped in Glen Sheil awaiting the government troops by land.
Unexpectedly, English warships sailed into Loch Duich and bombarded the castle.
While the cannonballs bounced harmlessly off of the 12′ thick walls, the Spanish garrison surrendered in panic.
The government troops entered the castle and discovered the powder cache and blew the old castle to bits.
The MacRaes had already lost their chieftain at the battle of Sherrifmuir in 1715 and now had lost their castle.
They continued as loyal followers of MacKenzie and fought again at Culodon in 1746.
MacKenzie resisted the infamous “clearances” but sold the Kintail lands in 1834 for debt.
Strangers came into the land and MacRaes were forced into exile.
The castle was to lie a ruin for nearly 200 years.
In 1912 Lt. Col. John MacRae-Gilstrap (representing the Conchra family) purchased the ruined castle and determined to rebuild it as a gathering place for the MacRaes.
He found a local man, Farquhar MacRae of Auchtertyre, eager to lead the rebuilding effort.
They wished to build an authentic reconstruction but no plans or drawings of the original castle could be found.
Farquhar took action typical of a highland Scot…he went home to pray and ask the Lord’s help.
He was amply rewarded when a vision of the old castle did, indeed, come to him in a dream!
The vision was committed to working plans and construction began.
In 1934 the castle was finally open for public viewing.
The masterpiece was a sensation and other historic researchers were able to locate ancient sketches of the castle and validate Farquhar’s dream!
The Clan MacRae Society of Scotland was founded and John & Ella MacRae-Gilstrap took up residence in the castle for part of the year.
The castle had a constable at last and a claimant to the chiefship of the MacRaes.
Farquhar is honored by a fine portrait hanging in the castle.
Today Eilean Donan proudly stands as the seat of the Clan MacRae.
The castle is open for public tours and contains educational exhibits as well as a fine collection of portraits of the MacRaes.
The great hall and the billeting room are exceptionally handsome places.
A conference center wing has recently been developed for clan meetings.
One of the most photographed castles in all of Scotland, it has appeared in television ads around the world and was featured in the original “Highlander” movie.
MacRaes are encouraged to visit and may contact the Constable for a more personal showing.
The Clan MacRae Society NA maintains an Eilean Donan fund to help with the continuing restoration and maintenance.
Fisherbeck Bed and Breakfast, 3 Macinnes Place, Ratagan, Glenshiel, Kyle of Lochalsh, Highlands, IV40 8HX
01599 511365
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