Isle of Skye Glenelg and Culloden

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Eileen Donan castle is one of my favourite castles. This 13th century castle stands on small island and is joined by a beautiful bridge to the mainland. It was a stronghold of the Mackenzie clan and the Macrae clan and was largely destroyed after the Jacobite rebellion by the English.

We travelled to the Isle of Skye by way of Culloden where the final battle of the Jacobite rebellion was fought. in 1745. Many English and Scottish died on the battlefield. The battle which lasted little over an hour killed over 2000 Jacobites mainly Scottish highlanders and many without swords or weapons as only the officers had weapons . The Scottish wanted to overthrow the House of Hanover in England and put Charles Edward Stuart on the throne. He was known as Bonny Prince Charlie or the young pretender. He escaped to the Isle of Skye dressed as a maidservant.

This part of Scotland is really stunning with wonderful glens and mountains and lochs (lakes). Farming and whisky distilling are the main occupations.

The Isle of Skye was the clan centre of the Macdonald Clan and the Macleod clan. Dunvegan castle is almost a ruin and is the Macleod clan stronghold. The Jacobite rebellion led to the breaking up of the clan system and replacing entire communities with sheep farms. Portree the capital is a beautiful harbour town. The Cuillin hills include 12 Munros (peaks above 3000 feet) which are  dramatic and challenging mountain climbs. Skye has lovely coastal and mountain trekks and the green grass and the lush scenery makes it a beautiful island.

Skye has wildlife of otters, seals, whales, dolphins and red deer and a very rich history. The scenery and particularly the sunsets here are magnificent.