'Eilean Donan Castle,' watercolour (original painting was 58 x 37 cm)
Eilean Donan Castle stands at the confluence of 3 sea lochs (hence the tidal areas around the base of the island) on the west coast of Scotland. 'Eilean' simply means 'island' in gaelic, which means the island is called 'Island of Donan', named for an early Scottish saint martyred in the 5th century.
A stronghold of the Clans Mackenzie and MacRae and originally built in the thirteenth century and extended afterwards, those Clans' involvement in the Jacobite rebellion resulted in the castle's destruction by being blown up - exactly who by seems to be a mystery! The castle we see here is a reconstruction, close to the original, from the early 20th century.
If you're near the place where Skye joins the mainland, this is a castle well worth looking out! When we were in early Spring doing the sketching and researching, the weather was just like this - although the reflections were imperfect due to a breeze stirring up the water's surface. It didn't take anything away from the view, though, with the castle brooding strongly over its atmospheric valley. Here' I've thrown late afternoon sunshine over the face of the castle.
The original painting was sold prior to publication.
Prints are available in four sizes:
Mini: Image 14.5 x 9.5 cm, £5 unmounted or £8 mounted to fit a 8 x 6"" off-the-shelf frame.
Small: Image 24 x 16cm, £17 unmounted or £20 mounted to fit a 14 x 11" off-the-shelf frame.
Medium: Image 37 x 25 cm, £24 unmounted or £30 mounted to fit a 20 x 16" frame.
Large: Image approx 55 x 35 cm - £32 unmounted or £45 mounted to fit a 70 x 50 cm frame.
Framing Options:
For local customers only, who can collect from us, we can frame your print for you, ready to hang. The prices are:
mini: £16 framed: small: £35 framed; medium £55 framed and large, £80 framed.