We went out castle hunting yesterday, and this time managed to get to Doune Castle in the town of Doune, Stirlingshire in Scotland. We have driven past it so many times, but have never visited it, so we decided it was time to rectify that !
The castle as seen is around 700 years old, with records indicating an older castle likely existed on the site. I'd call it - half intact, and half ruined. The front elevation you see above is fairly well preserved considering its age, although a number of other parts are long gone.
On entering the castle, you come into a largish courtyard, by the main stronghold and residences occupying the front side as per the first picture.
As can be seen above, its only the outer wall that remains on the other side of the courtyard. There would have been buildings there as per the window openings, but they are gone now. The all important castle well remains as can be clearly seen !
The info board above gives an idea of what it might have been like in its heyday. And it actually survived intact until around the 1800s - so not that long ago really.
You can go inside and see all of the remaining rooms. Quite a large number of them are now completely bare, like the one above - which is a large hall, with a very beautiful roof (that didnt quite come out in the pic - it was quite dark inside).
The above room is also quite typical of what remains today - bare rooms. Interestingly it is thought that Mary Queen of Scots (1542 to 1587), who is one of the most famous Scottish Royals, may have visited and stayed overnight in this room, but it has not been confirmed.
The castle has quite a lot of royal connections and interestingly was the home base for Robert Stewart, the Duke of Albany, who governed Scotland as regent on behalf of 3 other Scottish kings (Robert II, Robert III and James I) - and today he is still known as Scotland's uncrowned King.
Due to its age, many of its ceilings are vaulted like the one above - its very interesting to see them all like this, and helps demonstrate the building techniques from the time.
The room above was the most intact room, which is actually a restoration of the Lord's Hall. It was quite interesting. This pic was taken from the balcony that exists at one end, but you do also get to wander down into it, which is pretty cool.
I loved the chandeliers that were in the Lord's Hall - quite pretty indeed. In the centre, you can see the lion rampant, which is the national symbol of Scotland (although we've never had any native lions - its too cold for them here !).
The brick work above caught my eye in one of the rooms. These scratch marks are not from erosion, so they they were put there by someone's hand at some point. Quite interesting indeed. I was trying to make out of there were any letters or words, but it was really hard to tell.
I took the pic above quite by accident, but I really like how it came out focusing on the light coming in from the window in the corner, and blurring everything else. I've no idea how I managed that, and would not be able to repeat it !
Although that looks like another large hall, there would have been a wooden floor in place half way up, and as such this is the remains of 2 levels.
The construction is quite typical of a Scottish stronghold from the period - and it certainly was a stronghold. It was built to be both a luxurious residence, but also a defensive residence, and was thought to have seen action in the 17th and 18th centuries during uprisings.
On a map of the grounds, there is also a mark for a site of an earlier Roman Fort. We didnt have time to go and see that, but I asked one of the guides as to whether much was left, and she said you cant see anything any more as its all buried (either unexcavated, or deliberately buried to preserve the ruins). So thats goes on the list as something to return and see, as I really do like Roman history !
The castle has also been used as a setting in the Outlander TV series, and also in Monty Pythons Holy Grail film - which is quite impressive. Some of the Camelot scenes were filmed there back in the 70s !
Well I'm really glad we finally got to see it yesterday as its been on my list for atleast a decade ! We all enjoyed the visit, even if it was a dull driech day (Scottish for poor weather).
