Loch Ness and the Eilean Donan Castle

When driving through Scotland, it's hard not to make a point to see the famous Loch Ness! We've all heard of the Loch Ness monster and seen the images taken by witnesses who are sure they saw her. I never realized just how large this lake was until I laid eyes on it. At over twenty miles long, one mile wide, and over 700 feet deep at its deepest, Loch Ness is the largest lake by volume in the British Isles. If "Nessie" were looking for a lake to make her home in and hide away from us humans, Loch Ness certainly has the space to accomodate her.

Aside from its size and fantastic folklore, Loch Ness is truly a beautiful lake, and we were only a little disappointed we didn't see the famous monster!

A couple hours down the road from Loch Ness lies Eilean Donan Castle. This picturesque 13th century castle sits on an island where three different sea lochs meet. The castle is named after a Celtic saint, Donnan of Eigg, who was martyred in 617. The castle was a stronghold for the Mackenzie Clan and ultimately met its demise as a result of their involvement in the Jacobite uprising. The castle was restored and rebuilt, to include the bridge giving access to the island, between 1919 and 1932.

This was one of my favorite stops in Scotland. The castle, the loch, and the surrounding green scenery absolutely captured everything I love about Scotland in one place!