Delightful Doune

Doune Castle is not a name that most people will recognize, by many people might know it from it's role in famous films and television shows.  Perhaps its most famous appearance was in the 1975, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, where King Arthur and his knights invade Doune in search of the Holy Grail.  There is even an annual "Monty Python Day" at the castle. It has appeared in both Ivanhoe films and in the TV Series, Game of Thrones, as Winterfell.

Most recently, fans of the Starz adaptation of Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series will recognize it as the McKenzie stronghold Castle Leoch.  Starz did an excellent job of transforming Doune Castle into Castle Leoch, and you can watch just how they accomplished that in this video from TV Guide:

In it's present form, Doune was constructed by the Duke of Albany between 1375 and 1425.  It has lots of wonderful rooms and spaces to explore.  A couple of my favorite places to visit in it are the "Mary Queen of Scots" bedchamber with it's modern (for 1500's) toilet and sleeping closet.  Also, on one of the upper floors is a small, cosy round bedchamber that I could imagine myself settling into quite nicely :)   The Lord's Hall is a lovely room that has been restored, and can be rented for events.

 

It seems like, for our family, a trip to Scotland is never complete without an awkward or embarrassing story to tell.   Doune Castle was not an exception to this.  On one visit to Doune several years ago, the public toilets were being constructed in a small cottage near the entrance of the castle.  At this time, there were portable toilets for public use.  There were not porta-potties, but full bathrooms.  My dear mother-in-law, Tater, was along with us on this trip.  Upon exiting the toilet, she pulled what she "thought" was a string that turned out the lights.  It wasn't.  We figured this out when a loud siren immediately started sounding!  It was some type of an emergency alarm.  So, we did exactly what anyone else would do... We ran as fast as we could to the car & sped away! 

The picture above is of myself and my husband on a more recent trip, taken in front of the more picturesque toilets at Doune.  Thankfully, this time we did not set off any alarms! 

Doune Castle is a Historic Scotland property.  They are open year-round, unless filming is taking place.  Other information including opening times, and admission prices are listed on their website:
Historic Scotland - Doune Castle

If you are interested in reading Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series, I would highly recommend it!

Outlander Series