Eilean Donan
Dornie, United Kingdom
A restored castle on a tidal island where three sea lochs meet.
Eilean Donan stands on a small tidal island where Loch Duich, Loch Long and Loch Alsh meet, about 1 km from the village of Dornie. The first fortification was built in the early 13th century to defend against the Vikings. In 1719 Spanish Jacobites held the castle; Royal Navy frigates bombarded it, and the remains were then blown up using the gunpowder stored there. Lt. Col. John MacRae-Gilstrap bought the island in 1911 and had the castle rebuilt on the surviving ground plan; the work was finished in July 1932.
The visitor centre is at the mainland end of the bridge you cross to reach the castle. The tour takes you through the banqueting hall, bedrooms and the recreated kitchen, then up to the wall walks with views across the surrounding lochs. In 2009 the castle drew over 314,000 visitors, making it one of Scotland's most visited castles. It is known from films such as Highlander and The World Is Not Enough.
- Nearest town
- Dornie, United Kingdom
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 57.2740, -5.5160
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
No month is ideal everywhere on this route; the most pleasant are usually May–September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- United Kingdom: Tolls on some roads, bridges or tunnels. Drive on the left. Some bridges and tunnels charge tolls.
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Photo by Perry Kibler on UnsplashIsle of Skye by the bridge
© HARTLEPOOLMARINA2014 · CC BY-SA 3.0Wester Ross: Bealach na Bà, Torridon and Loch Maree
© HARTLEPOOLMARINA2014 · CC BY-SA 3.0Moor, Mallaig and Misty Isle – by motorhome from Glasgow via Glencoe and the Road to the Isles to Skye
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Ardelve Caravan And Camping ParkCampsite1 km from Eilean Donan · 25 pitchesDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowed
- Reraig caravan siteCampsite7 km from Eilean Donan · 34 pitchesTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Moyle Park CampsiteCampsite7 km from Eilean DonanTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowed
- Glenshiel CampsiteCampsite9 km from Eilean DonanTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowed
- Morvich Club CampsiteCampsite9 km from Eilean Donan · 77 pitchesTentsCaravansMotorhomesDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Camping SkyeCampsite24 km from Eilean Donan · 26 pitchesTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
All campsites in United Kingdom · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Eilean Donan?
Eilean Donan is in Dornie, United Kingdom, at GPS 57.2740, -5.5160. It is about 24 km from Broadford.
Can you camp near Eilean Donan?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Ardelve Caravan And Camping Park, about 1 km away; within 25 km there are 13 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Eilean Donan?
Eilean Donan is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Isle of Skye by the bridge, Wester Ross: Bealach na Bà, Torridon and Loch Maree and Moor, Mallaig and Misty Isle – by motorhome from Glasgow via Glencoe and the Road to the Isles to Skye.
What is there to see near Eilean Donan?
Places worth a stop nearby: Plockton (11 km), Bealach na Bà (20 km), Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve (40 km) and Camusdarach Beach (43 km).
When is the best time to visit Eilean Donan?
No month is ideal everywhere on this route; the most pleasant are usually May–September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)