Eilean Donan Castle and Loch Duich Shore Walk

Eilean Donan is the most photographed castle in Scotland and arguably the most recognisable building in the Highlands, its restored 13th-century tower house sitting on a small tidal island where Loch Duich, Loch Long and Loch Alsh converge beneath the Kintail mountains. The circular walk from the car park explores the shore of Loch Duich south of the castle through mixed woodland and hillside grazing land, following the loch edge with views across the water to the Five Sisters of Kintail and returning via a higher path above the castle and the Dornie village shore. The meeting of the three sea lochs gives the immediate landscape an unusual variety of water and mountain scenery.

This is a dog friendly walk with good variety for those combining it with a castle visit. The loch shore sections give dogs swimming access in the calm sea-loch water, and the woodland paths offer off-lead time away from the grazed hillside sections where sheep are commonly present. Note that dogs are not admitted inside the castle itself, so plan the logistics of the visit around the walk first. The café at the castle welcomes dogs outside. The drive through Glen Shiel beyond Dornie, passing beneath the Five Sisters ridge, is one of the finest Highland approaches and well worth continuing along for the scenery alone.