Dornie and Bundaloch, Ross and Cromarty

Historical Description

DORNIE and BUNDALOCH, a village, in the parish of Kintail, county of Ross and Cromarty, 7 miles (N. N. W.) from Sheilhouse; containing 510 inhabitants. This is a fishing-village on the banks of a branch of Loch Duich, from which the sea is entered by Loch Alsh. There is a small bay, and Dornie and Bundaloch immediately adjoin each other, and form one village, in which are some houses of respectable appearance; the scenery around is very romantic, and above the village are to be seen the mountains of Skye. In the vicinity are the ruins of Ellandonan Castle, the ancient seat of the Mackenzies of Seaford, occupying a rocky islet surrounded by the sea at flood-tide. This castle is said to have been built by Alexander II., to overawe the Danes and Norwegians; and in the reign of James V. the Macdonalds of Sleat in vain attempted to besiege it. Directly opposite, on the coast of Letterfairn, are the remains of the ancient circular castle of Gruagach. On the landward part of the islet is a fresh-water spring.