Eilean Donan Castle is a 13th-century castle on a tidal island at the meeting point of three sea lochs near Dornie, Highland, Scotland, restored in the 20th century and now one of Scotland’s most photographed landmarks. This 2026 visitor guide covers opening times, ticket prices, parking, accessibility and practical tips for visiting this iconic Highland castle.
For many visitors, this Scottish castle is the highlight of a one day Isle of Skye and Eilean Donan Castle tour from Inverness.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening times | Seasonal. 1 Feb-28 Mar: 10:00-16:00. 29 Mar-30 Apr: 10:00-18:00. 1 May-31 May: 09:30-18:00. 1 Jun-31 Aug: 09:00-18:00. 1-30 Sep: 09:30-18:00. 1-24 Oct: 10:00-18:00. 25 Oct-22 Dec: 10:00-16:00. |
| Ticket prices | Adult £13.00, Concession (60+) £12.00, Child (over 5) £6.50, Family (2 adults + 3 children) £38.00. Under 5s free. |
| Address | Eilean Donan Castle, Dornie, by Kyle of Lochalsh, IV40 8DX |
| Getting there | 8 miles east of Kyle of Lochalsh on A87. Nearest train station: Kyle of Lochalsh. Bus services available from Inverness and Fort William. |
| Time needed | 1.5 to 2 hours for castle interior and grounds. |
Eilean Donan Castle opening times
Eilean Donan Castle operates seasonally with varying hours throughout the year. The castle is closed from late December through January. Opening hours change monthly:
From 1 February to 28 March, the castle opens 10:00-16:00 with last admission at 15:00. Between 29 March and 30 April, hours are 10:00-18:00 (last entry 17:00). From 1 May to 31 May, the castle opens at 09:30-18:00 (last entry 17:00). Summer opening from 1 June to 31 August runs 09:00-18:00 (last entry 17:00). September hours are 09:30-18:00 (last entry 17:00). Early October (1-24) offers 10:00-18:00 (last entry 17:00), while late October through to 22 December sees reduced hours of 10:00-16:00 (last entry 15:00).
There are occasional closures for maintenance and filming. Check the castle website before setting off.
The visitor centre, café and shop follow the same opening hours as the castle.
Eilean Donan Castle ticket prices
Admission prices (checked and updated January 2026):
- Adult: £13.00
- Concession (aged 60+): £12.00
- Child (over 5): £6.50
- Family (2 adults + up to 3 children aged 5-15): £38.00
- Under 5s: Free
Tickets can only be purchased on site on the day of visit. There is no online booking system. Payment is accepted at the visitor centre ticket office. Tickets grant access to the castle interior, exhibitions and grounds.
Why book the Isle of Skye Explorer day tour from Inverness?
- Full-day Highlands adventure: Travel from Inverness through dramatic mountain scenery, lochs and coastal landscapes on a comprehensive Isle of Skye day trip.
- Eilean Donan Castle photo stop: Pause at one of Scotland’s most photographed castles, set where three sea lochs meet.
- Explore Portree: Enjoy free time in Skye’s colourful harbour town, with cafés, shops and coastal views.
- Natural highlights of Skye: See landmarks such as Kilt Rock and sweeping sea cliffs, with multiple scenic stops built into the route.
- Driver-guide and transport included: Learn about Highland history and folklore while travelling comfortably by coach from central Inverness.
How to get to Eilean Donan Castle
Eilean Donan Castle is located 8 miles east of Kyle of Lochalsh on the A87, the main route to the Isle of Skye. The castle is approximately 80 miles from Inverness and 120 miles from Fort William.
By public transport, Scottish Citylink operates bus services 915, 916 and 917 from Inverness, Fort William and Glasgow to Kyle of Lochalsh and the Isle of Skye. The journey from Inverness takes approximately 2.5 hours. Request stops can be made at Dornie Bridge near the castle. From Kyle of Lochalsh train station (on the scenic Inverness-Kyle line), the castle is a 10-minute taxi ride.
Many organised tours from Inverness, Edinburgh and Glasgow include Eilean Donan Castle as a stop, often combined with visits to the Isle of Skye.
Parking at Eilean Donan Castle
A large on-site car park is located adjacent to the visitor centre. Parking fees only apply when the castle and visitor centre are open. Outside opening hours, parking is free.
The car park can accommodate cars, minibuses and coaches. Designated coach parking spaces are marked. An overflow car park operates during busy periods. The car park can fill quickly, particularly during summer months and when tour coaches arrive (typically mid-morning to early afternoon). Arriving before 09:30 or after 15:00 helps avoid peak crowds.
Disabled parking spaces are available approximately 20 metres from the visitor centre entrance.
How long to spend at Eilean Donan Castle
Most visitors spend 1.5 to 2 hours at Eilean Donan Castle. This allows approximately 45-60 minutes to explore the castle interior and 30-45 minutes for the visitor centre, shop and grounds.
The castle interior tour is self-guided. Rooms include the Banqueting Hall, Billeting Room, Great Hall and bedrooms. Reading information panels and viewing artefacts typically takes 45-60 minutes. Photography enthusiasts often spend additional time capturing exterior shots from various angles around the causeway and shoreline.
Accessibility at Eilean Donan Castle
The castle interior has very limited accessibility and is unsuitable for wheelchair users. As a Scheduled Ancient Monument, the castle cannot be modified to add lifts, handrails or ramps. The interior features uneven steps, narrow stairways, low doorways and different floor levels throughout.
Registered disabled visitors receive free access to the castle island and exterior areas. This permits crossing the bridge and exploring the outside of the castle, though some exterior areas have gravel surfaces which may be difficult to navigate.
A touch-screen virtual tour is available free of charge in the visitor centre for those unable to access the castle interior. This provides views of areas not normally accessible to the public.
The visitor centre is fully accessible with designated disabled parking 20 metres from the entrance. All access doors are wider than 80cm. Two disabled toilets are provided with lateral transfer space, grab rails and emergency alarm cords. The café and gift shop are accessible.
Assistance dogs are welcome in the visitor centre. Other dogs are not permitted inside the castle.
What to see at Eilean Donan Castle
The castle stands on a small tidal island connected to the mainland by a stone bridge. The current structure was restored between 1912 and 1932 after lying in ruins for nearly 200 years following destruction in a 1719 Jacobite uprising.
Interior rooms open to visitors include the Banqueting Hall with period furniture and weaponry, the Great Hall featuring clan artefacts, and furnished bedrooms showing how the castle’s inhabitants lived. The Billeting Room displays military equipment and information about the castle’s role in Scottish history.
Exhibitions throughout the castle present artefacts from both Jacobite and Government perspectives, weapons, period clothing and archaeological finds. Information panels explain the castle’s construction in the 13th century, clan ownership by the MacRaes and MacKenzies, and its dramatic destruction and restoration.
The visitor centre houses a café serving hot meals, soups, sandwiches and Scottish cakes, plus a gift shop selling Scottish gifts, clan memorabilia, books and Eilean Donan branded items.
The island and causeway provide multiple viewpoints for photography. The setting where Loch Duich, Loch Long and Loch Alsh meet offers views towards the Five Sisters of Kintail mountains.
Practical tips for visiting Eilean Donan Castle
| Tip |
|---|
| Arrive before 09:30 or after 15:00 to avoid peak tour coach arrivals and crowds. |
| The castle interior can be claustrophobic with narrow corridors; those with claustrophobia may prefer to view only the exterior. |
| Photography is not permitted inside the castle but is allowed in the grounds and on the causeway. |
| Large bags and rucksacks are not allowed inside the castle; free security lockers are provided at the visitor centre. |
| The castle can be photographed from the car park, but better angles are available from the Dornie Community Hall car park and along the lochside path. |
| Weather can change quickly; bring waterproof clothing even on apparently clear days. |
| Outside opening hours, visitors can walk onto the island for free to photograph the exterior under Scottish outdoor access rights. |
Facilities at Eilean Donan Castle
The visitor centre contains the ticket office, gift shop, café and toilets. The café serves hot meals, soups, sandwiches, salads and cakes using locally sourced ingredients where possible. The gift shop sells Scottish souvenirs, jewellery, clan items, books about the castle and Highlands, and Eilean Donan branded products.
Toilets including accessible facilities are located in the visitor centre. Free security lockers are provided for storing bags and rucksacks not permitted inside the castle. Free WiFi is available in the visitor centre.
The castle has a live webcam viewable on the official website showing current conditions and visitor numbers.
Frequently asked questions about Eilean Donan Castle
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Eilean Donan Castle suitable for children? | Yes. Children can explore the castle rooms and learn about Scottish history. Narrow staircases require supervision. Under 5s enter free. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Eilean Donan Castle? | No. Tickets can only be purchased on site on the day of visit. There is no advance booking system. |
| Is Eilean Donan Castle open on Sundays? | Yes, the castle is open daily during the operating season, including Sundays. Check specific dates for closures in February and April 2026. |
| Are bags allowed at Eilean Donan Castle? | Large bags and rucksacks are not permitted inside the castle for security reasons. Free lockers are provided at the visitor centre. |
| Can you visit Eilean Donan Castle for free? | The castle exterior can be viewed free of charge outside opening hours when the car park is free. Admission charges apply to enter the castle interior. |
| Was Eilean Donan Castle used in films? | Yes. The castle appeared in Highlander (1986), The World is Not Enough (1999) and Made of Honour (2008), among others. |
Photography at Eilean Donan Castle
Photography is permitted in the grounds and on the causeway but not inside the castle. Popular viewpoints include:
The main car park provides a classic side profile. The Dornie Community Hall car park (free parking, public toilets available) offers views across the water without tour buses in frame. The lochside footpath towards Dornie village provides elevated angles with reflections. The Loch Duich Viewpoint at Carr Brae offers a distant elevated perspective from the hillside.
Drone flying is permitted only outside castle opening hours when the site is closed to the public. Signage on site specifies permitted times.
Things to do near Eilean Donan Castle
The Isle of Skye (via Skye Bridge, 8 miles) offers dramatic mountain scenery including the Cuillin range, the Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock, the Fairy Pools, Dunvegan Castle and Portree.
Plockton (5 miles) is a picturesque harbour village with palm trees, colourful houses and opportunities for seal-watching boat trips. The village features cafés, pubs and craft shops.
Five Sisters of Kintail (6 miles) is a mountain range offering walking and climbing routes. The area includes the Falls of Glomach, one of Britain’s highest waterfalls at 113 metres.
Kyle of Lochalsh (8 miles) is a coastal town with shops, restaurants, the Lochalsh Leisure Centre and the Kyle railway station (scenic line to Inverness).
Attadale Gardens (10 miles) comprises 20 acres of gardens with water features, woodland walks and exotic plants. Open late March to late October. Nearby Strome Castle is open all year.
More Scottish Highlands travel
Other Scottish Highlands travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Live out your Outlander fantasies at Beauly Priory and the Clava Cairns.
- Explore Scottish history on Culloden Battlefield.
- How – and why – to get to the Commando Memorial in the Scottish Highlands.
- The logistics of stopping at the Loch Tulla Viewpoint.
- What to expect at the Falls of Shin near Lairg.
