Eilean Donan Castle
Former Seat of the Clan Mackenzie

Eilean Donan Castle, after sunset

The beginnings of Eilean Donan reach back into the early mists of time. Evidence of a Pictish fort was found in vitrified rock uncovered during excavations - some of which has been kept for visitors to see. At the beginning of the seventh century St. Donan (d. 618) lived on the island as a religious hermit; the name "Eilean Donan" means "Island of Donan". This was the period when Christianity was first introduced to the Western Isles.

The first fortified Stronghold was established in the reign of King Alexander II (1214-1250). In 1263 King Alexander III gave the castle to Colin Fitzgerald (sometimes referred to as Colin MacCoinneach), son of the Earl of Desmond and Kildare (later to become Mackenzies) as a reward for services in the Battle of Largs. This famous battle culminated in the defeat of the Norwegian king, Haco. Following his death shortly after, his successor, Magnus, ceded all the Western Isles to Scotland.

Eilean Donan Castle, in the morning

Eilean Donan Castle, seen from across Loch Duich

Traditionally, it is believed that in the early part of the fourteenth century century Robert the Bruce, out of favour with many of the clan chiefs as well as being hunted by the English, was given refuge in Eilean Donan Castle by John Mackenzie, Second of Kintail. Later, in 1331, the fortunes of Robert the Bruce had changed; he had defeated his enemies and established his position as King of Scotland. He sent his nephew Randolph, Earl of Moray and Warden of Scotland, to Kintail.

The MacRaes, who formed the bodyguard of the Chief of Kintail first became constables of the castle in 1509. There are many stories of military feats performed by members of the clan MacRae that gained them the nickname: "Mackenzies' shirt of mail". During the abortive Jacobite rising of 1719 Spanish troops hired by the Mackenzies were billeted at Eilean Donan and the castle was afterwards blown up. It was lavishly restored in the 1930s and has become one of the commercial media's favourite images of the Highlands.

Redcastle

Tragically Redcastle, once home of the Mackenzies of Redcastle, has suffered serious neglect. To avoid taxes a recent owner, not a Mackenzie, took the roof off, and within forty years the castle became derelict.

Redcastle is now uninhabitable and visitors are warned not to enter the building as it is unsafe.

Kilcoy Castle

In 1557 Kilcoy was spelt "Culcowy" and also "Culcolly" from the Gaelic "Cu coille" meaning "Nook of the Wood" or , as given by one or two authorities, "Nook of the Hazel wood". Early references to Kilcoy may be found in the Kilravock Papers, particularly in the charter of 26th March 1294, and the "Davach (= 416 acres) of Culcolli" is mentioned in charters concerning Edradouer (i.e. Redcastle) during the period 1299 to 1311, in grants to the Earl of Ross.

Also in 1511, there was a charter of Culcowy to Henry Stewart; and later, in 1554, to John Stewart, son and heir apparent of Robert Stewart of Muren.

However, actual ownership of the property does not really become clear until the year 1605, since that was when there was a marriage settlement pertaining to Kilcoy: this was granted to Sir James Stewart (of Newton and Muren) and Jean Fraser (of Lovat). Records show the marriage of James Stewart with Jean Fraser took place on the 1st August 1603.

On 15th August 1611, the now widowed Jean Fraser married Alexander Mackenzie, third son of Colin Mackenzie (11th Baron of Kintail); furthermore, six and a half years later, on 29th January 1618, Kilcoy was granted in marriage settlement to Alexander Mackenzie and Jean Fraser - with Robert Stewart having resigned his interest - thus making Alexander the 1st Mackenzie of Kilcoy. The fate of Kilcoy Castle was reputed to have been included in one of the Brahan Seer's prophecies that apparently came true, see that article.

By 1846 the Castle had fallen into a "Ruinous condition" because the roof had been removed to avoid taxes, as was usual in those days. Fortunately by the end of the 19th century, the Burton-Mackenzies inherited Kilcoy, taking possession of what was then a near total ruin in 1890. They called in an architect: Alexander Ross also known as "The Christopher Wren of the North" and his superb restoration and extension of the castle saved Kilcoy for posterity.

By 1968 the Robinson family owned the castle and although they opened the gardens to the public, the only alterations they did to the castle was to fit two new windows on the north side of the new wing and have plumbing and electrical wiring fitted throughout.

The present owners of Kilcoy Castle, Mr and Mrs Nick McAndrew, have made some changes in the content and lay-out of the grounds and, like the Robinsons before them, they too open the gardens periodically to the public.

Ballone Castle

Ballone Castle is a 3-storey, late 16th century, Z-plan tower house (a notable feature is one round tower, one square) and boasts a truly superb, cliff-edged coastal setting - overlooking the Moray Firth - near Portmahomack, Tarbat Ness. Said to have been built by a line of the Earls of Ross, it was first on record in the early 17th century when belonging to the Dunbars of Tarbat. In 1623 it was purchased by the Earls of Cromarty, though they appear to have left it unoccupied after a couple of generations or so, after which it fell into ruin for several centuries. Happily, in the late 1990s, present owners Lachie Stewart (an architect) and his wife, Annie (a talented and very successful pottery designer), rescued it from its ruinous state and it is now fully restored.

Ballone Castle