"But no one will even ask us whether we do or do not will, when the spiritual strength of the West fails and the joints of the world no longer hold, when this moribund semblance of a culture caves in and drags all that remains strong into confusion and lets it suffocate in madness."
- Martin Heidegger
- Martin Heidegger
Eilean Donan is a small tidal island in the western Highlands of Scotland. The Eilean Donan Castle, is one of Scotland’s most easily recognized castles, and appears frequently in calendars, films, shortbread tins, and photographs. Apart from being a picturesque castle in the middle of a body of water, the Eilean Donan Castle is also notable for its history.
Arguably the darkest part of Eilean Donan Castle’s history is when it played a role in the Jacobite risings of the 17th and 18th centuries. In 1719, the castle was occupied by 46 Spanish soldiers who were part of the force sent to raise support for the Jacobites in Scotland. The English, got news of the plan, and sent three frigates to deal with the matter.
The ships bombarded the castle for three days, though the defenders were well-protected by its massive walls. A land assault followed, and the outnumbered Spanish surrendered. A Spanish magazine with 343 barrels of gunpowder was discovered in the castle, and this was used to blow up the structure.
Arguably the darkest part of Eilean Donan Castle’s history is when it played a role in the Jacobite risings of the 17th and 18th centuries. In 1719, the castle was occupied by 46 Spanish soldiers who were part of the force sent to raise support for the Jacobites in Scotland. The English, got news of the plan, and sent three frigates to deal with the matter.
The ships bombarded the castle for three days, though the defenders were well-protected by its massive walls. A land assault followed, and the outnumbered Spanish surrendered. A Spanish magazine with 343 barrels of gunpowder was discovered in the castle, and this was used to blow up the structure.