Road through Glen Shiel

Part of the 'Road to the Isles', Glen Shiel runs for 10 miles from Loch Duich to Glen Cluanie with impressive mountains on either side, including, on the north, the Five Sisters of Kintail. This road through Glen Shiel was photographed in the first half of the 20th century by M.E.M. Donaldson.<br /> <br /> The glen has witnessed several historical events over the centuries including the Battle of Glen Shiel. Following the unsuccessful Jacobite Rising of 1715, a further attempt to regain the throne was made by the Jacobites in 1719. This became known as the 'Little Rising'. The Jacobite army, assembled by Cameron of Lochiel, the Earl of Seaforth and Lord George Murray, was joined by around 300 Spaniards who arrived in Loch Alsh in April, 1719. The mixed force marched to Glen Shiel and met with the Hanoverian troops. Although the sides were well matched in size and strength, the Jacobites were defeated and disbanded. The hill above the site of the battle, Sgurr nan Spainteach, commemorates the presence of the Spanish soldiers.<br /> <br /> The photographer, Mary Ethel Muir Donaldson, was born in 1876 and came to the Highlands around 1908. She travelled extensively around the North and West Highlands, writing and taking photographs. Between 1912 and 1949 she produced many books on the social history and customs of the North and West Highlands. 'Wanderings in the Western Highlands and Islands' and 'Further Wanderings - Mainly in Argyll' are two of her best known works and both are illustrated with her own photographs. She died in a nursing home in Edinburgh in 1958, and was buried in Oban <br /> <br /> <br /> This image can be purchased.<br /> For further information about purchasing and prices please email the<br /> <a href="mailto: photographic.archive@highlifehighland.com">Highland Photographic Archive</a> quoting the External ID.