Saturday, June 22, 2013

Scotish Castles

If i had to chose a few favorites among my more than 6000 cards, these would be in my top 20. They're soooo beautiful. That's because of places like these that i want to visit Scotland.
These cards were sent by Gracinha.

 © David Lyons
As one of the most iconic images of Scotland, Eilean Donan is recognised all around the world. Situated on an island at the point where three great sea lochs meet, and surrounded by some majestic scenery, it is little wonder that the castle is now one of the most visited and important attractions in the Scottish highlands.
Although first inhabited around the 6th century, the first fortified castle was built in the mid 13th century and stood guard over the lands of Kintail. Since then, at least four different versions of the castle have been built and re-built as the feudal history of Scotland unfolded through the centuries.
Partially destroyed in a Jacobite uprising in 1719, Eilean Donan lay in ruins for the best part of 200 years until Lieutenant Colonel John MacRae-Gilstrap bought the island in 1911 and proceeded to restore the castle to its former glory. After 20 years of toil and labour the castle was re-opened in 1932. - in: http://www.eileandonancastle.com/

 © Andy Williams
Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the British Isles. The castle shown on the card is the Inverlochy Castle Hotel, a baronial mansion was built in 1863 by James Scarlett, 1st Baron Abinger. It is located about two miles away from the 13th century Inverlochy Castle, after which it was named.
 Queen Victoria spent a week at Inverlochy during an 1873 visit to Balmoral, remarking "I never saw a lovelier or more romantic spot". The house has been used as a hotel since 1969. It was voted "best hotel in Europe" by Travel + Leisure magazine in 2006. - in: wikipedia

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