During the 13th-century Alexander II built the first incarnation of Eilean Donan to defend the surrounding mountains of Kintail and the Isle of Skye against the Viking hordes. This original castle is said to have an immense curtained wall connecting seven towers and spanning the entire island.

Originally built in the 13th century and associated with Clan Mackenzie and Clan MacRae, the castle fell victim to government forces during the 18th-century Jacobite rebellions. It was reconstructed in the 20th century by Lieutenant-Colonel John Macrae-Gilstrap.

Its likely beginnings came from a small chapel site built on the island of Donan by the Celtic Saint Donnan of Eigg in the 6th century. Yet, much of the fascinating history of Eilean Donan Castle wouldn’t come until much later. The original castle was not constructed until the 12th century by King Alexander II.

First castle built on the island possibly by either King Alexander II or III to help strengthen defences against the Danes or by Farquar II, Earl of Ross.