Sunday 19 November 2006

Eilean Donan Castle - Scotland/UK


Eilean Donan Castle - Scotland/UK
© All rights reserved
Originally uploaded by { Planet Adventure }.
Pt: O nome Eilean Donan vem do Gaelic (lingua originalmente falada na Escocia) e significa "Ilha de Donan", um santo do seculo 7 que segundo a estoria, viveu aqui como um heremita religioso.

En: Eilean Donan (Scottish Gaelic for Island of Donan), is a small island in Loch Duich in the western Highlands of Scotland. It is connected to the mainland by a footbridge and lies about half a mile from the village of Dornie.

Eilean Donan castle is the famous castle situated on the island. The original castle was built in 1220 for Alexander II as a defence against the Vikings. By the late 13th century it had become a stronghold of the Mackenzies of Kintail (later the Earls of Seaforth). In 1511, the MacRaes, as protectors of the MacKenzies, became the hereditary Constables of the Castle.

In 1539 Iain Dubh Matheson, chief of the Clan Matheson died whilst defending the Castle on Eilean Donan island against the Clan MacDonald of Sleat on behalf of the Clan MacRae and Clan MacKenzie.

In April 1719 the castle was occupied by Spanish troops attempting to start another Jacobite Rising. The castle was recaptured, and then demolished, by three Royal Navy frigates on 10–13 May 1719. The Spanish troops were defeated a month later at the Battle of Glen Shiel.

The castle was restored in the years between 1912 and 1932 by Lt. Col. John MacRae-Gilstrap. The restoration included the construction of an arched bridge to give easier access to the castle. In 1983 The Conchra Charitable Trust was formed by the MacRae family to care for the Castle.

It is now one of the most photographed monuments in Scotland and a popular venue for weddings and film locations. It has appeared in such films as Highlander (1985), Loch Ness (1995) and The World is not Enough (1999).

You can see the whole article here

More photos:

View from Eilean Donan CastleView from Eilean Donan CastleView from Eilean Donan CastleEilean Donan Castle

Loch Carron - Scotland/UK


Loch Carron - Scotland/UK
© All rights reserved
Originally uploaded by { Planet Adventure }.
Loch Carron is an arm of the sea on the west coast of Ross and Cromarty in Scottish Highlands.

Chanonry Point Lighthouse - Scotland/UK


Chanonry Point Lighthouse
© All rights reserved
Originally uploaded by { Planet Adventure }.
Pt: O farol foi inaugurado em 1846, descubra mais sobre este lugar acessando este site

En: The lighthouse, first lit in 1846, more information can be found here

Chanonry Point lies at the end of Chanonry Ness, a spit of land extending into the Moray Firth between Fortrose and Rosemarkie on the Black Isle, Scotland.

Chanonry Point is reputed to be one of the best spots in the UK to view Bottlenose dolphin from the land [1] . The dolphins are often visible off Chanonry point, particularly at high tide when they play and fish in the turbulence created by converging currents. Other wildlife, including porpoise and grey seals can also regularly be spotted.

Chanonry Point is home to two camping and caravan sites towards the north whilst much of the land towards the extremity of point is taken up by Fortrose and Rosemarkie Golf Club. A lighthouse situated at the tip of the point was designed by Alan Stevenson and was first lit in 1846[2]. The lighthouse has been fully automated since 1984 and is now privately owned.

The death of Coinneach Odhar, more commonly known as the Brahan Seer, is commemorated by a memorial stone on the spot where he is reputed to have been brutally executed.

See the whole article here

More photos:

View from Chanonry Point - SouthView from Chanonry Point - NorthFort George