In a superbly beautiful and romantic Scottish setting, Eilean Donan Castle possesses a rare dream-like quality. In reality this lone sentinel, on its rocky promontory at the meeting point of Lochs Long, Duich and Alsh, is a solid fortress with walls fourteen feet thick. Much of the history of the castle has been preserved within its walls and immortalized in ballads and stories. St. Donan (d 618) lived on the island as a religious hermit and gave the island its name (Eilean Donan means "Island of Donan"). The first fortified stronghold was established during the reign of Alexander II (1214-1250)...