Eilean Donan Castle is situated on a small tidal island connected to shore by a sturdy stone bridge. That sturdy bridge was especially relevant to my visit, when the island was experiencing heavy winds and high surf.
The original castle was built in the 1300s and home to Clan McKenzie until it was destroyed for their part in the Jacobite Rebellion. The current structure is a recreation built in the 20th century.
This makes it an exceptionally well preserved example of a traditional medieval castle, and it can safely host the crowds of visitors it receives each an every day.
There is a large parking lot, but expect it to be fairly full during your visit. This is a popular tour bus destination as well, and while the bus drivers do seem to try to stagger their arrivals, the castle is always bustling.
Right next to the parking lot, there are two cafes and a gift shop for visitors to admire before purchasing their ticket either at the automatic kiosk, or from a teller at a window. This line moves fairly smoothly, so make sure that you know which type of ticket you’re interested in prior to paying!
There are two options relevant to me- the bridge ticket or the inside ticket (which includes the bridge).
Given the rain pouring down, I was definitely purchasing the option that got me inside!
Tickets are checked at the start of the bridge, and again at the entrance to the castle-you’ll be turned away if you dont have the relevant ticket!
The bridge ticket allows guests to admire the castle from the bridge, sure, but also walk around the entire exterior of the castle. This was my favorite part! It was so cool to see the waves smashing up against the island- even if it was very chilly!
Likely due to the rain, I felt the interior of the castle to be extremely overcrowded. Guests were patiently waiting in slow moving lines to look at the historical items, but i found I wasnt particularly interested in them- there was a lot of dishware and portraits, which really isnt my area of interest.
I was pretty interested in the recreation of the kitchen and the dining room, because I hadn’t yet had breakfast, but because those areas felt like the most immersive areas of the castle to me.
I found it pretty funny that modern wedding and graduation photos from the McKenzie family were scattered around- it felt a bit like a shrine to the still living family.
I asked a staff member if the family still lived in the castle, and she told me that they lived there for some time before moving to more modern housing. Apparently they do still come to visit, but stay in an updated apartment that is closed to guests. Imagine going to visit Grandma and Grandma over the holidays and you’re staying in a world famous castle!
Since I was moving pretty quickly through the castle (I was laser focused on grabbing a cup of tea from the cafe), I spent about 45 minutes inside the castle before heading out- and a fair amount of THAT time was waiting to be allowed into the next room so it wouldn’t become dangerously crowded.
Although the crowds were a real drawback for me, I think it that even on the best of days, the exterior of the castle is the main draw. It looks suitably ancient and dramatic and makes for some really excellent photos regardless of the weather. If you’ve got your own car or a particularly kind tour bus driver with a smaller vehicle, take a ride up the winding roads nearby for an amazing shot of the castle from above.
The Verdict
Buy the bridge ticket! I mean, okay, the full ticket is only £12 so its worth it if you have the time and money to spend, but honestly, I was a little disappointed by the interior and I didnt even have time to get my tea by the time I got out!
Just stop long enough to take pictures around the exterior of the castle and spend that time elsewhere in Scotland.
If you’re looking to take a tour to Eilean Donan, look no further than this day trip from Inverness!
If you choose to book through this link I may earn a small commission with no additional cost to you!
For a more in depth review of this exact tour, check out my write up about my own visit!
Looking for more day trips out of Inverness? Check here for some of my favorites.
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