Doune Castle is a partially ruined medieval structure in the Stirling countryside. It stands atop a hill with a commanding view of a pleasant area of forests and rivers. Admire the well-preserved halls, courtyard and tower rising above the surrounding region.
Gaze up at the 100-foot (30-meter) gatehouse. Walk through these ruins and imagine life in the building many centuries ago. Listen to the audio guide for a greater context behind each part of the castle. Most of the stonework is from the initial construction in the 14th century, although some modifications were made in the late 1500s.
Explore the majestic Lord’s Hall to see its ornate features, including a double fireplace. Note the oak screen and the musicians’ gallery. Walk through the courtyard and go into the castle cellar through the dark and narrow cobblestone tunnel.
Learn the history of the intriguing castle, which was initially constructed in the 1260s. The fascinating tales of the castle include the transformation of the castle into a hunting lodge and the arrival of the Earls of Moray in the 16th century. Listen to stories of its role in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms and the Jacobite Risings in the 1700s.
In the 1970s, the castle was used for the iconic comedy film Monty Python and the Holy Grail. The production used separate angles of the site to portray several different fictional castles in the movie. Find out about the literary works that have alluded to the structure.
There is a fee to look around the castle. Kids get a discount for entry to the site, which is open year-round from morning until late afternoon.
Find Doune Castle in the southern part of the town, less than 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) from its center. The castle lies on the eastern flank of the River Teith and west of the Ardoch Burn.
