Scottish Tour Guide's Blog

Street Scene, Fort William, Scotland

 This evening, I am posting information on Fort William in the Scottish Highlands. The name is derived from a British military fort originating in the 17th and 18th centuries which was built to control the Highlands. Specifically, it is named after King William (1650-1702).

Fort William has a reputation as a centre for outdoor activities including hiking, climbing, skiing and mountain biking. It is a good base for touring the area and provides access to Glenfinnan and Skye, Glencoe, Glen Nevis  the Great Glen to Loch Ness , the Caledonian Canal and the ‘Harry Potter’  train. Close by is Ben Nevis, Scotland’s tallest mountain (4406ft.) which is accessible to most able bodied persons.

In the immediate vicinity can be found Inverlochy Castle, Loch Linnhe, Ben Nevis Distillery and Glen Nevis. There is also Aonoch Mor  chair lift which provides a 15 min trip up into the mountains with the reward of stunning views.

Here is Inverlochy Castle.

Inverlochy Castle, Fort William, Scotland

 Here is Ben Nevis Distillery. Tours are available.

Ben Nevis Distillery, Fort William, Scotland

 Here is a view of the Nevis range of mountains which include Ben Nevis

Nevis Range, Fort William, Scotland

Fort William invariably features in my tours of the Western Highlands.

Castle Urquhart, Loch Ness, Scotland

This evening, I am focusing on one of Scotland’s  most popular visitor attractions, namely Castle Urquhart in the Scottish Highlands near Inverness on Loch Ness. Of course, the main reason for the huge number of visitors each year is that this is the best site from which to view Loch Ness  and seek out it’s legendary monster.

Monster legends apart this is a quality site with much to offer including a short, introductory film, refreshment facilities, gift shop and stunning views over the Loch.

From a history perspective, there has been a fortification on the site for about 1500 years, dating back to Pictish  times. Like the vast majority of surviving stones castles in the British Isles, Urquhart has its genesis in the 13th century under Alan Durward and was extended by the powerful Comyns after 1275. Subsequent milestones:

• Oscillated between English and Scottish control during the 14th century Wars of Independence.
• Post 1390, the threat came from the Macdonald Lord of the Isles in the West of Scotland.
• Captured by the Macdonalds in 1452 but regained by the Scottish Crown four years later.
• Plundered by Clansmen in 1544-5
• Partly blown up by defenders at time of Jacobite uprising in 1689 to prevent opponents gaining advantage.
• Subsequently a deteriorating and romantic ruin.

The facities of this once great castle were extensive and included:

• Ditch and drawbridge.
• Gatehouse
• Guard Room
• Constable’s Lodging
• Water Gate
• Outer Close
• Chapel
• Great Hall
• Inner Close
• Grant Tower, as shown below. This is the most prominent feature and named after the Grant family who held the castle in the early 16th century.

The Grant Tower below attracts many visitors who climb the narrow stairs to the top to benefit from the stunning views over the loch.

Tower at Castle Urquhart, Loch Ness

Here is a view taken from a tour boat.

Castle Urquhart viewed from Loch Ness, Scotland

In summer time a piper can be spotted.

Piper at Castle Urquhart, Loch Ness

This is a trebruchet, a form of giant, medieval catapult which bombarded castles before gunpowder and cannon came into use.

Trebruchet at Castle Urquhart, Loch Ness

Whenever travelling along the Great Glen  I invariably include a visit to this site.

Piper at Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland

This evening, I am focusing on one of Scotland’s top visitor attractions, namely Eilean Donan Castle  which is, conveniently for visitors, situated near Kyle of Lochalsh on the road from Isle of Skye to Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands. In fact the castle’s location has nothing to do with modern road communications but its situation at the confluence of lochs Alsh, Duich and Long allows control of important waterways which, in historic times, were the only means of travel.

Although ancient in appearance the current structure was completed as recently as 1932 albeit modelled on its predecessor which was destroyed by two British Government frigates in 1719 when it was garrisioned by Jacobite supporters.

Looking back through history there is evidence of settlement/fortification on the site dating back to the Iron Age ( approx. 1000 BC to 300 AD). The current castle has a lineage dating back to a medieval origin in the 13th and 14th centuries.

After lying ruins for 200 years it was Lieutenant Colonel John MacRae-Gilstrap who inspired, motivated and financed the rebuilding of the castle. Today, it is the home of the Chief of Clan MacRae and a central point of affinity for MacRaes around the world.

The key facilities comprise courtyard, billeting room, banqueting hall, bedrooms and kitchen range.

Because of its romantic and photogenic appearance the castle has featured in numerous films including Highlander, Loch Ness, Master of Ballantrae and James Bond.

The name Eilean Donan is Gaelic for Island of Donan

Harpist at Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland

Reflections at Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland

Bridge to Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland

This is a quality and popular visitor attraction which I invariably include in my Highlands tours.