William Daniell: Engraving “Castle Ellen Donan”, Scotland

Eilean Donan (spelt "Ellen" by Daniell), meaning "island of Donan", is believed to be named after the 6th century Irish Saint, Bishop Donan who came to Scotland around 580 AD. There are several churches dedicated to Donan in the area and it is likely that he formed a small cell or community on the island during the late 7th century. It was first fortified in 13th century against the Vikings, by the Lords of the Isles. It was destroyed after the Jacobite rebellions in 18th century, (as shown in this etching) but was rebuilt according to the old floorplan by a new owner in early 20th century. William Daniell RA (1769-1837) was an English landscape and marine painter and printmaker, notable for his work in aquatint. In 1813, he started work on his greatest achievement: a series of aquatints for "A Voyage Round Great Britain" which he published with his friend Ayton between 1814-25. There were 308 illustrations done for this work of which this, of Castle Eilean Donan, is one, dated 1822. Daniell was elected a member of the Royal Academy in 1822.