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As a centre for touring, Dornie is an ideal base
for exploring
the beauty of Scotland's West Highlands and Wester Ross, conveniently
situated close to several important touring
routes including the picturesque road over the Ratagan Pass to Glenelg and
Loch Hourn. Kyle
of Lochalsh and the Skye Bridge is only 8 miles away making it
easy to explore the magical Isle
of Skye, and the road north leads
to
Strathcarron, Lochcarron and
Torridon. Loch Maree, Gairloch and
the famous Inverewe Gardens are also all within an easy day's return
drive.
The surrounding area is one of peace and tranquility,
and a haven for naturalists and birdwatchers: red deer are plentiful, the
heron can be seen fishing on the Loch, whilst the golden eagle flies
overhead. Loch and river fishing and sea-angling are available, with boat
hire and fishing tackle available locally.
For the hardened walker and
mountaineer, the region is unrivalled, with some of the finest ridge
walking in Scotland on both the Five Sisters of Kintail only a few miles
away and the well-known South Glen Shiel Ridge offering many miles of
exciting walking.
Nearby, walks to Glen Affric with superb views from the
mountains are easily attained. Historically, there are castles and abbeys
to see, including Dunvegan Castle and the famous
Urquhart Castle on
Loch Ness.
Eilean Donan Castle
Lying only a 5 minute walk from the Dornie Hotel,
Eilean
Donan Castle is the area's prime historical attraction, and has a rich and
interesting history.
The ancestral home of the Clan MacRae, the Castle
dates back to the year 1220. It was originally built by Alexander II to
guard against Viking invasions from the West, and later belonged to the
Earls of Seaforth.
During its turbulent history, it saw many a skirmish,
but it was during the period of the first Jacobite Rebellion, when it was
garrisoned by Spanish troops who supported the Jacobite cause, that it
finally succumbed: coming under heavy fire from three English frigates in
1719, it was almost reduced to rubble.
It remained in this condition for
200 years until, in 1912, Colonel John MacRae decided to spend the
vast
sum of £250,000 over a 20 year period to reconstruct it for the benefit
of future generations.
The Castle today remains in the custody of the MacRae
family.
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