Movies
Doune Castle looks very familiar to many, it´s been used for movies and tv-shows for many years. From “Ivanhoe” (Liz Taylor 1952 & BBC Adaption 1996) to “Monty Python & the Holy Grail”, “Game of Thrones” and more recently “Outlander”.
History
Doune Castle was built at the end of the 1300s for Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany. The exact date of construction is not known and it is believed that the end result is not exactly what was originally planned. But the combination of buildings that emerged met all the military and domestic requirements of a royal castle. (Undiscovered Scotland)
It was probably (partly) destroyed in the Scottish Wars of Independence and rebuilt in the 14th century and hasn´t changed much since then. In 1425 the castle was passed to the crown and used as a royal hunting lodge (Mary Queen of Scots stayed several times in the suite of rooms above the kitchen) and dower house until it became the property of the Earls of Moray in the late 16th century.
Restoration was undertaken in 1883 and further repairs were made in 1970. In 1984, the 20th Earl of Moray placed the castle in the care of the nation. (Undiscovered Scotland)
Upper Hall
Lord´s Hall
The Great Hall
Fests and banquets were celebrated in this vast room, just have a look at this huge hearth on one side of the room.
Even so there many other visitors I wouldn´t have wanted to miss this place, Doune Castle really gives you an impression about life in these castles and you almost can feel the big banquets and parties happening.
