Doune Castle
Doune Castle things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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It’s a tight turn on to a single track road to the castle. The car park is only small but is well kept with marked bays. There’s two free toilets at the back of the building in a container, and a sign for accessible toilets. (Ask the car park attendants). We visited on a wet day, be careful on the wet cobblestones and at the entrance, it can get slightly muddy, although anti slip has been put down to help in places. We took the option of using the free audio tour which has Monty Python and Outlander commentary in the options. Restoration is being done and there are also railings up for safety. The castle is well worth a look, it’s kept well, and is clean and tidy. It takes a couple of hours to do the audio tour and could take longer when it gets busy. There’s a small gift shop. No food or drink for sale but you can take a picnic as there’s a couple of tables to use on a nice day. There are also walks around the outside of the castle to get different views. The cricket pitch behind the village nursery school is on the site of a Roman Fort. There is an information stone in the ground near the road.
Dave HollandDave Holland
70
As a decades-long fan of Monty Python, I knew I had to make sure to visit Doune Castle while we were in Scotland. It was the filming site for Monty Python and the Holy Grail's Castle scenes (all of them, just from different angles.) It's since been used for Game of Thrones, Outlander, and other shows. This of course totally fails to mention the tremendous historical significance of the castle itself, which is deep and varied, and I don't want to diminish that at all; I just don't know it. My wife could speak endlessly on that aspect of it. Our family visited recently and we were very impressed with the structure, almost all of which is accessible for exploration. It was amazing to get a glimpse into what it might have been like to sleep in a bed chamber, or use the privy in the wall, or climb the narrow circular stairs to get from one level to the next. The historical society staff were friendly and knowledgeable; all in all a fabulous site to visit. Make sure to buy your tickets in advance because only a limited number of people are allowed in at any one time.
Robert LongRobert Long
10
I was excited to go to doune. It was supposed to be one of the highlights of the trip. I have watched 1/2 hour long videos of tours of the castle and have prepared for it, but nothing could prepare for what I had experienced today. 1. Doune is under construction and it is LOUD. The stone walls just reverberate every noise and I got a headache from the constant hammering and what sounded like drills. 2. The audio, while I love the outlander one AND the Monty python AND the regular history… it’s just too much and too long to listen to them all. Be prepared to spend over an hour here just standing listening to the audios. The castle is one way, so you can’t really backtrack or go freely where you want. It also felt crowded a bit. We went at 12pm on a weekday so we thought we would avoid traffic but nope. It was busy. I wish there were more artifacts. The store was nice and the crew was very kind. There were signs and even though we didn’t do them today, there were a lot of nice walking paths around. All the construction really ruined the experience for me especially when no one had an answer as to why it was under construction. Also/ the stairs were really really tight. It was hard going up and down because of the slippery of the stairs paired with no railing… overall visually disappointing Because of the construction, loud, BUT fun that we got to have Jamie Fraser talk to us in our ears lol.
Nicole CableNicole Cable
10
We loved this small castle! Super friendly staff - welcomed us at the entry very happy to see us as they were having a “slow” day! Lucky for us- we parked right outside the castle at the park- easy- and walked in. We have our explorer pass (recommended) if you’re staying for a few days at least in Scotland and we were also given a free audio guide. We are big Outlander fans so we were happy to hear that Sam Heughan (Jamie Fraser) has done an Outlander commentary guide. If you have seen the show you must pay a visit to this castle. It won’t take you long and it’s only like 15’ from Stirling Castle. You can easily do both in day in the winter (only a few hours of daylight). Oh! And do not miss checking out the store!!!!! There is a dress up point were you can try in Highlander outfits like the ones used for Outlander and take pictures as Claire and Jamie as long as you don’t leave the store in them! And the store is loaded with beautiful souvenirs. We got an interesting Scottish spice mix for our cooking ;)
Assimina KourisAssimina Kouris
10
There's lots to enjoy in this fascinating, well-preserved 14th century castle located just a half hour from Glasgow. For a very modest fee of £9 per adult (and lots of cheaper exceptions for kids, seniors, students, etc.), you'll be provided with an audio tour narrated by Terry Jones of Monty Python fame. Numerous scenes from The Holy Grail were filmed at Doune Castle, and the audio tour touched on those sections. On a similar note, portions of the audio tour are narrated by Sam Heughan from "Outlander" to elaborate on scenes from that show also filmed at Doune Castle - really interesting stuff! Pop culture aside, you also get to learn about the different areas of the castle, what they were used for, and some interesting historical context around the castle and one of its principal lords, Robert Stewart, the Duke of Albany. If you take your time and really take everything in, you'll probably be here for about 2 hours. Great spot - highly recommended!
LanceLance
00
Went to the castle as a part of Hairycoo tours.Really good trip and the free audio guide mostly narrated by Terry Jones has some nice insights into Monty Python. Good price at only £6 for entry which includes the free audio guide. Part of the castle is currently under reconstruction however this makes little difference. It took us just over an hour to walk around and see everything.Very nice castle, with reminders to the Scottish history, and the mentioned tv-series The Audioguide was good, and I think it was rather new, that Sam Heughan was now on the audioguide, telling about the places used for the filming of Outlander scenes, and a little bit of his own experience filming the series too.. A total surrealistic experience for outlander fans , to walk around the MacKenzies castle, with Jamie Fraser’s voice in your ears. A very very good surprise... and yes, I know it’s a fictional figure...
Tinton AbrahamTinton Abraham
10
Nearby Restaurants Of Doune Castle
Buttercup Cafe
The Woodside - eat / drink / stay
Yummy House
Buttercup Cafe
4.6
(349)Click for details
The Woodside - eat / drink / stay
4.5
(365)Click for details
Yummy House
3.9
(17)Click for details
Learn more insights from Wanderboat AIBasic Info
Address
Castle Hill, Doune FK16 6EA, United Kingdom
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Phone
+44 1786 841742
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Website
historicenvironment.scot
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4.5
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cultural
outdoor
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Description
Doune Castle is a medieval stronghold near the village of Doune, in the Stirling council area of central Scotland and the historic county of Perthshire. The castle is sited on a wooded bend where the Ardoch Burn flows into the River Teith.
attractions: , restaurants: Buttercup Cafe, The Woodside - eat / drink / stay, Yummy House
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