Before I start, I just want to mention that I've updated the last two posts with photos and some commentary now that we are back in Edinburgh and around good WiFi. I AM two days behind on posting though, and it's now 12:43AM on Friday morning, 6 September so I'm going to end this now. I will do my best to update the past two days of the trip tomorrow....suffice it to say for now we had two PERFECT days of weather and last night's stay in Fort Augustus at the Caledonian House, with "Crazy Carol" as our host had us all in stitches. Gin, Jeff and Annette all say that they've never seen or heard me laugh so hard! I'll include just one photo for now - until tomorrow....enjoy.
Me in ma Jimmy hat
Today we were up early to have a full Scottish breakfast again, and we'd be on our way across the Skye Bridge (wind permitting) and back to the main isle to see Eilean Donan Castle, which is Annette's favorite castle in the British isles. As we looked out the window at breakfast, we could see that today was going to be a good day (at least for the moment) so we ate, packed up and headed out. Before we made our way across the bridge, we had one stop to make....to see a castle ruin that we saw from our breakfast window.
the view from the dining room window at breakfast....the town or Kyleakin in the ditance.
The ruins of Dunakin Castle down by Loch Alsh
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The Skye Bridge is a road bridge over Loch Alsh, connecting mainland Highland with the Isle of Skye, Scotland. It forms part of the A87. One pillar of the bridge stands on the island of Eilean Bàn.
Off to the bridge and across to Eilean Donan Castle
While planning last night, we had mapped out that the castle was three miles from the bridge....of course, that was incorrect, but it wasn't much further and we were there early enough to beat most of the crowds. I can see why this is Annette's favorite castle.
Eilean Donan Castle
Although first inhabited around the 6th century, the first fortified castle was built in the mid 13th century and stood guard over the lands of Kintail. Since then, at least four different versions of the castle have been built and re-built as the feudal history of Scotland unfolded through the centuries.
Partially destroyed in a Jacobite uprising in 1719, Eilean Donan lay in ruins for the best part of 200 years until Lieutenant Colonel John MacRae-Gilstrap bought the island in 1911 and proceeded to restore the castle to its former glory. After 20 years of toil and labour the castle was re-opened in 1932.
Jeff and Annette at "Annette's Castle
Me and Gin - Happy 25th Anniversary!
One of the most photographed castles in Scotland....
From the back side....
Eilean Donan is situated by the picturesque village of Dornie, on a small tidal island in Loch Duich.
From Eilean Donan, we made our way north, on our way to
Drumnadrochit., Along the way we stopped
at Loch Cluanie and I was able to snap a few photos. Jeff suggested that I cross the road to stand
on a rock…..when he looked back, I was half way up the side of the hill setting
up…..yeah, I’ve been a bit of a pain when it comes to taking photos. J
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