Dornie Croft

29/10/2024

Always something to see when you’re out and about. Our guests love Calums Seal & Dolphin Trips. 🦭🦭🦭🐳🐳

15/10/2024

Another sunny October day.
Make the most of it!

10/10/2024

We had some Australian friends visiting on Tuesday and did a great tour including crossing the sea to Skye on Glenelg-Skye Ferry. That absolutely loved it! 😍😍

04/10/2024

Doirbh a chreidsinn!
So delighted to get this. 🎉🎉🎉

🎉 Congratulations to Dornie Croft ! 🎉

We’re thrilled to announce that Dornie Croft has been announced as Highly Commended in the Climate Action Category at the Highlands & Islands Thistle Awards 2024!

Category sponsored by The Royal Bank of Scotland

23/08/2024

Thought our visitors might be interested in this post.

***OTD***
Work began on the rebuilding of Eilean Donan Castle on this day in 1913.

The castle is situated on an island near Dornie in the West Highlands, at a point where three lochs meet. It is one of the most photographed monuments in Scotland.

The island is thought to been inhabited from around the sixth century and a castle was first built there in the 13th century. One of its main purposes was to protect the lands of Kintail against Norse expeditions at a time when they controlled a large part of the north of Scotland and the Western Isles. The castle has been built and re-built at least four times, as a result of feuding between clans over the centuries.

Eilean Donan Castle also played a role in the Jacobite uprisings of the 17th and 18th centuries. In 1719 the castle was garrisoned by Spanish soldiers who supported the Jacobites. They had amassed a large amount of gunpowder and were awaiting the delivery of weapons and cannons from Spain.

When the English government found out about the intended uprising they sent three heavily-armed frigates to bombard the castle. This proved difficult as some of the castle walls were up to 14 feet thick. A detachment was then sent ashore and captured the castle with little resistance. Some of the gunpowder found in the castle was then used to destroy it.

The castle lay in ruins for almost 200 years after this until Lieutenant John MacRae-Gilstrap bought the island in 1911 and proceeded to restore the castle from 1912 to 1932, using the surviving ground plans from earlier phases of the castle.

Eilean Donan Castle is now owned by the Conchra Charitable Trust.

Seo sgeulachd mu dheidhinn Dòmhnall Gorm Shlèite agus na thachair nuair a chaidh e gu Caisteal Eilean Donnain ann am bàta là nuair nach robh duine ann ach bodach agus a mhac òg. Chaidh a clàradh ann an 1955 le Calum Iain MacIlleathain bho Sgoil Eòlais na h-Alba. Chan eil fhios againn air ainm an fhiosraiche.
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Here’s a story about Dòmhnall Gorm of Sleat who sailed to Eilean Donan Castle one day when there was nobody there but an old man and his young son. Between the two of them they managed to fire an arrow and strike Dòmhnall Gorm. He was taken to a rock in Lochalsh called ‘Làrach Taigh MhicDhòmhnaill’, where he died. The recording was made in 1955 by Calum Iain Maclean of the School of Scottish Studies. The name of the contributor is unknown.
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https://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/track/56388?l=en
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Photo taken by Syxaxis Photography and licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.

26/07/2024

Looks like a fascinating day!

Abair deagh thachartas. Tha mi cho measail air and fhacail coitcheann. 😀

15/07/2024

It’s been the most amazing few days!
Delighted to be shortlisted for this award too.

Air leth toilichte mu dheidhinn seo 😀

🌟 Exciting News! 🌟

We're thrilled to announce that the shortlist for the Highland & Islands Thistle Awards has been revealed! 🎉✨

A massive congratulations to all the incredible nominees who exemplify excellence and dedication in our vibrant community. Your hard work and passion make the Highlands & Islands shine even brighter! 🌄🏴

Best B&B or Guesthouse Experience
Blervie House
Broad Bay House
Dunnet Bay Escapes
Glenegedale House Islay

Best Bar or Pub
Johnny Foxes & The Den
Scotch & Rye
The Station

Best Eating Experience
Downright Gabbler
One One Two Wine Bar and Eatery
The Dipping Lugger

Best Hotel Experience
Links House at Royal Dornoch
Ness Walk
The Dowans Hotel

Best Outdoor or Adventure Experience
Nevis Range
SeabirdsandSeals - Original & Best Noss Boat Tours
Shetland Seabird Tours - The Noss Boat

Best Self-Catering or Unique Stay
Borve Lodge Estate
Hideaway Under the Stars
Kabn Company

Best Visitor Attraction
Islay Sea Adventures
Landmark Forest Adventure Park
Shetland Seabird Tours - The Noss Boat

Celebrating Thriving Communities
Cheryl Heggie School of Dance
Loch Ness Hub & Travel
Wick River Campsite

Climate Action
Dornie Croft
Glen Mhor Hotel & Apartments
Ness Walk

Inclusive Tourism
Girls on Hills
Seabirds-and-Seals - The Original Noss Boat Tours
Wavysail

Innovation in Tourism
Hebrides Cruises
Loch Ness Hub and Travel
Scottish Islands Passport

Outstanding Cultural Event or Festival
Eilean Dorcha Festival
Orkney Folk Festival
Taste North (Venture North)

Rising Star
Aedan Doig, Loch Fyne Hotel and Spa (Crerar Hotels)
Elliott Sabor, Orrin Restaurant & Bar
Harris Brooker, Speyside Wildlife
Kate Paterson, Golf View Hotel & Spa

Tourism and Hospitality Employer of the Year
Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness
Nevis Range
The Pierhouse Hotel

Tourism Individual of the Year
Fiona McLean, The Pierhouse Hotel
Paul Nixon, The Loch Ness Centre
Russell Fraser, Loch Ness Hub and Travel

13/07/2024

We’re delighted to be named as finalists in the Scottish Environment Business Awards as one of the best new businesses!
In our entry we described how we support Gaelic language and culture with the environment as the two are uniquely interlinked.
We do regular blog posts about this on our Dornie Croft website as well as providing guests with lots of information in our seaside cottages.

26/06/2024

It’s great to see that the Food Awards are now in their 19th year. I used to organise it years ago and it is a fantastic celebration of the amazing food and drink businesses in the Highlands and Islands.

Showcasing the wide range of food and drink products in the region, from internationally renowned companies to innovative producers.

07/06/2024

Looking forward to a holiday by the sea in luxury surroundings. We’ve got the very place for you.

📸

06/06/2024

Today is the 50th anniversary of the broadcast of this play on BBC Play for Today.
Not an overstatement to say it changed a nation’s way of thinking about its past and present and still as relevant today as it was then.
7:84 was from the statistic that 7% of the UK population owned 84% of its wealth.
Link for booking tickets in comments.

22/05/2024

On today at Dornie hall!

Wednesday 22nd May at Dornie Hall - Come Join Us!

20/05/2024

Bi ann no bi gann!
Don’t miss this opportunity if you’re running a business. You don’t have to be a client to be there.

A day of insightful business talks, networking, charity fundraising and family fun! Held at Lochalsh Business Park, Auchteryre.

17/05/2024

English below:
Tha sinn air a bhith trang a’ cur tachartas air dòigh ann an Talla an Dòrnaidh far am bi Dolina NicIllinnein a’ bruidhinn air an dealbh-Cluich.
We’ve been busy organising an event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the iconic Play for Today: The Cheviot the Stag and the Black Black Oil.
It’s going to be shown in Dornie Hall on Saturday 15 June, booking required.
And the best bit is that Dolina MacLennan is going to do a Q&A before the film.

14/05/2024

Great day out in Kyle this Saturday!

All welcome on the Plock this coming Saturday for a day of Crofting Games!

Join in with the sack race, test your arm at the wellie wanging, explore the Plock as part of the hill race, test your balance with the wheelbarrow race and so much more! Most events have children's versions too, so there's something for everyone!

Find us on the meadow from 11am. Events spread out through the day, finishing with the adult hill race which starts at 2:30.

Can't wait to see you there!

11/05/2024

These were taken about 11pm. The strangest thing is that they’re to the south. Nothing was happening in the north then I turned round and saw this.

11/05/2024

Last night’s Aurora about 1am.
Known a s na fir-chlis in Gaelic (the nimble men), one piece of folklore is that they’re angels cast out of heaven.

10/05/2024