Eilean Donan Castle Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Eilean Donan Castle. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Inverness: the Isle of Skye and Eilean Donan Castle

• Isle of Skye and Eilean Donan Castle Day Tour From Inverness

• 3-Day Isle of Skye Inverness Highlands and Glenfinnan Viaduct Tour From Edinburgh

• 3-Day Isle of Skye and Scottish Highlands From Edinburgh

• 3-Day Isle of Skye, "Hogwarts Express" Train, and Highlands Tour

Eilean Donan Castle tickets cost £13 for general admission, £12 for seniors ages 60 or older, and £6.50 for children ages 5–15. Children ages 4 or younger go free. The castle is a popular stop on Isle of Skye tours from Inverness, which start at around US$70, excluding entrance fees.

Yes, Eilean Donan Castle is well worth visiting. Perched on a green islet at the entrance to a mountain-girded loch, it's one of Scotland's most photogenic castles, thanks to the sweeping bridge that links it to the mainland. Visiting on a tour that includes the Isle of Skye does more than save time and spare you some challenging driving: It can immerse you in Highland culture, legends, and history.

Per one customer who booked the Isle of Skye and Eilean Donan Castle Day Tour From Inverness, "Iain is a phenomenal storyteller and a skilled driver, making this tour an absolute highlight of our Scotland adventure. We saw so many breathtaking locations on our way to the Isle of Skye, and Iain's captivating stories, especially about the fairies, added a unique magic to the day. Highly recommend this tour for anyone wanting to maximize their sightseeing on the journey to Skye!"

Yes, Eilean Donan Castle is open to the public. Visitors may choose just to admire the castle’s scenic exterior or go inside to wander around the interior rooms filled with period furniture, Jacobean artifacts, weapons, and fine art, and gain insight from the castle’s guides.

Yes, Eilean Donan Castle is suitable for families.Traveling kids can swing a claymore, spy through the spy holes, lift the cannon balls, explore the ancient battlements, and look for wildlife such as porpoises, dolphins, and otters. The castle offers reduced rates for children and family tickets.

Settlement on Eilean Donan dates back to at least the 6th century when a monastic cell was established on the island. The fortified castle was built in the 13th century as a defense against Viking raids. Since then, at least four different versions of the castle have been built.

If you plan to go inside Eilean Donan Castle, you should plan to allow at least one hour to explore the interiors and learn about the castle’s history. Allow longer if you also want to visit the gift shop and café and get some good photos of the exterior.

The most popular photo spots at Eilean Donan Castle are just off the parking lot, looking toward the Isle of Skye, and from the bridge at Dornie Community Hall. Another good option is Carr Brae Viewpoint, a 5-minute drive away, which offers a view of the castle and Loch Duich.

Yes, you can get to Eilean Donan Castle by public transportation, although it can be time consuming. Citylink buses traveling on route 915 from Glasgow to the Isle of Skye stop at Dornie, around a 10-minute walk to Eilean Donan Castle. From Glasgow the journey typically takes around six hours.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting  Eilean Donan Castle. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in the Scottish Highlands:

• Isle of Skye

• Glencoe

• Fort Augustus

• Loch Ness

• Cairngorms National Park

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in the Scottish Highlands.