Flashback Friday: Eilean Donan Castle

Eilean Donan is a small island at the junction of three lochs in the western Highlands of Scotland. It is one of the most recognized of all Scottish castles. Not only is it one of the most photographed fortresses in Scotland but it has also been featured in several popular movies and television series.

How to Get to Eilean Donan

To visit Eilean Donan you will need to put aside a couple of days. There are day tours from Edinburgh and Glasgow but it's a long drive/train ride so there isn't much time available to spend at the castle. The nearest train station is Kyle of Lochalsh, an approximate 15-minute drive from the Castle. The public bus service, Citylink, offers routes between Inverness (2 hrs), Glasgow (5-6 hrs) and Edinburgh (7-8 hrs) to the nearby village of Dornie. From Dornie, it is a short walk to Eilean Donan. I would recommend seeing the Castle as part of a multi-day visit or as a stopover on a self-drive road trip through the Highlands.

Where to Stay Near Eilean Donan

There are several choices for nearby, including accommodations hosted by the castle. A cottage is available for weekly rentals (Saturday to Saturday). This is an expensive choice so it wasn't even a passing consideration for this budget traveller. The castle also has some modern self-catering apartments in the nearby village of Dornie with a minimum 2 night stay. At the mid-range level, Dornie has multiple guesthouses, bed & breakfasts, and the charming Dornie Hotel. Other charming and affordable choices are available in nearby small villages like Kyle of Lochalsh.