Ancient Scotland - Doune Castle

Doune Castle

Dunblane, Stirling

Castle

Doune Castle was built by Robert Stewart, first duke of Albany in the late 1300s during the reign of Robert II. It stands on high ground above the River Teith and not far from the site of the famous Battle of Stirling Bridge.

The castle is perhaps most famous as the location for many scenes from the movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail. If you've seen the movie you'll likely recognise much of the castle, inside and out.

In the 1400s the son of Robert Stewart was imprisoned and executed and King James I mad Doune a royal castle. He and his successors, James II, James III and James IV all used Doune as a retreat from the palace at Stirling Castle not far to the east.

Later the castle was given as a dower gift to the wives of the Scottish kings.

The gate tower (left) and halls (right) seen from the north.

1/25 The gate tower (left) and halls (right) seen from the north.

The gate tower from the northeast.

2/25 The gate tower from the northeast.

Another view from the northeast.

3/25 Another view from the northeast.

Outside the halls, from the west.

4/25 Outside the halls, from the west.

View of the south curtain wall from the south.

5/25 View of the south curtain wall from the south.

View of the east curtain wall from the south.

6/25 View of the east curtain wall from the south.

The gate tower from inside the courtyard.

7/25 The gate tower from inside the courtyard.

The gate tower (right), halls (centre) and kitchen tower (left) from the courtyard. The well is in the foreground.

8/25 The gate tower (right), halls (centre) and kitchen tower (left) from the courtyard. The well is in the foreground.

Window in the south range showing the wall thickness.

9/25 Window in the south range showing the wall thickness.

The kitchen tower with steps leading up to the entrance to the great hall.

10/25 The kitchen tower with steps leading up to the entrance to the great hall.

Passageway off the lord's hall.

11/25 Passageway off the lord's hall.

Chamber in the chamber turret.

12/25 Chamber in the chamber turret.

The west end of the lord's hall with the musician's gallery above the screens passage.

13/25 The west end of the lord's hall with the musician's gallery above the screens passage.

The fireplaces at the east end of the lord's hall.

14/25 The fireplaces at the east end of the lord's hall.

Mason's marks in the stonework.

15/25 Mason's marks in the stonework.

Chamber in the chamber turret.

16/25 Chamber in the chamber turret.

The upper hall.

17/25 The upper hall.

The upper hall.

18/25 The upper hall.

The upper hall.

19/25 The upper hall.

The upper hall.

20/25 The upper hall.

View to the west from the roof.

21/25 View to the west from the roof.

Looking down to the well in the courtyard from one of the chambers.

22/25 Looking down to the well in the courtyard from one of the chambers.

Stone corbel in the upper hall that would have supported a beam for the floor above.

23/25 Stone corbel in the upper hall that would have supported a beam for the floor above.

Gargoyle heads on the courtyard-facing wall of the halls.

24/25 Gargoyle heads on the courtyard-facing wall of the halls.

Gargoyle heads on the courtyard-facing wall of the halls.

25/25 Gargoyle heads on the courtyard-facing wall of the halls.

Nearby Sites

2km Doune Standing Stones

8km University of Stirling Standing Stone

9km Airthrey Castle Stone Standing Stone

10km Sherrifmuir Stone Row

14km Ardoch Roman Fort Roman Fort

15km Inchmahome Priory Priory

16km Menteith 16 Cup and Ring Marks

16km Menteith 20 Cup Marks

16km Nether Glenny Cairns Cairn

17km Fintry Standing Stone

18km Castleton Farm Cup and Ring Carvings

18km Waterhead Standing Stones

19km Torwood Broch

(NB: All distances are as-the-crow-flies. Lochs, mountains and beautiful winding roads will make it further. Sometimes much further.)