Eilean Donan—a place to live forever?

In the picturesque western Highlands of Scotland, where three lochs meet, sits a small island called Eilean Donan.

And on this island is a dream castle.

Aerial view of Eilean Donan
Aerial view of Eilean Donan

Surrounded by mountains where eagles soar, Eilean Donan is remote—the nearest fishing village  is almost a mile away. The 2001 census for Eilean Donan recorded a total population of one person.

This is the place to write the novel of the decade.

Pronounced “Ail-en Don-an”, the castle was built in the 13th century as a stronghold to ward off Viking raiders, and later used by Clan Mackenzie in the Jacobite rebellions of the early 18th century. Royal Navy ships were sent to destroy Eilean Donan, but it was painstakingly rebuilt in the 20th century as the 20-year labor of love of John Macrae-Gilstrap.

The castle has been the setting for several movies, including the 1986 version of Highlander—as the home of Clan MacLeod.

If you could live forever, would you choose Eilean Donan as your home?

Enjoy scenes of Eilean Donan to Queen’s “Who wants to live forever” from the movie Highlander.

Eilean Donan Castle. Credit Bruce MacRae
Eilean Donan Castle. Credit Bruce MacRae
Eilean Donan Castle. Credit David Iliff
Eilean Donan Castle. Credit David Iliff
Eilean Donan. Credit Bruce MacRae
Eilean Donan. Credit Bruce MacRae
Eilean Donan Castle Causeway. Credit Bruce MacRae
Eilean Donan Castle Causeway. Credit Bruce MacRae
Eilean Donan Castle at Dusk. Credit Bruce MacRae
Eilean Donan Castle at Dusk. Credit Bruce MacRae
Eilean Donan. Credit Jggzgz
Eilean Donan. Credit Jggzgz
Eilean Donan Castle Sunset. Credit H Matthew Howarth
Eilean Donan Castle Sunset. Credit H Matthew Howarth
Eilean Donan at night. Credit krb&nah
Eilean Donan at night. Credit krb&nah
Piper in front of Eilean Donan Castle. Credit Marshalhenrie
Piper in front of Eilean Donan Castle. Credit Marshalhenrie
Approaching from the south. Credit Colin MacRae
Approaching from the south. Credit Bruce MacRae
Eilean Donan. Credit Bruce MacRae
Eilean Donan. Credit Bruce MacRae
Looking west from within Eilean Donan Castle. Credit Bruce MacRae
Looking west from within Eilean Donan Castle. Credit Bruce MacRae
Opening Arch of Eilean Donan Castle. Credit Bruce MacRae
Opening Arch of Eilean Donan Castle. Credit Bruce MacRae
Eilean Donan. Credit Bruce MacRae
Eilean Donan. Credit Bruce MacRae
Eilean Donan. Credit Bruce MacRae
Eilean Donan. Credit Bruce MacRae
Eilean Donan Castle Bell Tower. Credit Bruce MacRae
Eilean Donan Castle Bell Tower. Credit Bruce MacRae
Eilean Donan Castle. Credit Shadowgate
Eilean Donan Castle. Credit Shadowgate
Eilean Donan Castle Bedroom. Credit Bruce MacRae
Eilean Donan Castle Bedroom. Credit Bruce MacRae
Eilean Donan Castle Bedroom. Credit Bruce MacRae
Eilean Donan Castle Bedroom. Credit Bruce MacRae
Eilean Donan Castle Bedroom. Credit Bruce MacRae
Eilean Donan Castle Bedroom. Credit Bruce MacRae
Eilean Donan Castle Bedroom. Credit Bruce MacRae
Eilean Donan Castle Bedroom. Credit Bruce MacRae
Eilean Donan Castle Ensuite. Credit Bruce MacRae
Eilean Donan Castle Ensuite. Credit Bruce MacRae
Banquet Hall, Eilean Donan Castle. Credit Bruce MacRae
Banquet Hall, Eilean Donan Castle. Credit Bruce MacRae
Banquet Hall, Eilean Donan Castle. Credit Bruce MacRae
Banquet Hall, Eilean Donan Castle. Credit Bruce MacRae

Contains affiliate links

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I may receive an affiliate commission. I only recommend products or services that I believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Read more:
10 of the Best Things to See at the British Museum

York Minster – the Magnificent Medieval Cathedral of Northern England

Dover Castle — the Key to England

Close