Doune Castle (HD quality)

The village of Doune lies 8 miles NW of Stirling, Scotland.
Doune (Gaelic: An Dùn, 'the fort') is in the district of Stirling, on the River Teith, although geographically, it is within Perthshire.

Doune Castle may look strangely familiar, even to those who have never visited before. It depends on your taste in films: Doune Castle is a place of pilgrimage for Monty Python fans from all over the world who come to see the place where they filmed parts of "Monty Python and the Holy Grail".

It also has other, more traditional, claims to fame. 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.
Robert Stewart was also Earl of Menteith and Fife through marriage to Margaret, Countess of Menteith. As the third son of King Robert II and younger brother of Robert III, he became effective ruler of Scotland from 1388 until his death in 1420.
In 1420 governorship of the kingdom passed to Murdoch, Robert Stewart's son. However, his was to be a short reign. In 1424, James I returned from captivity in England and took power. Doune Castle then became a royal retreat and hunting lodge and was used by successive monarchs for more than a century.
In 1570, ownership passed to Sir James Stewart, the first Lord Doune. Later, the title Earl of Moray came to the occupants of the castle through marriage. Doune Castle has belonged to the Earls of Moray ever since.

The castle deteriorated through the 18th century, and by 1800 it was a roofless ruin. It remained so until the 1880s, when George Stuart, 14th Earl of Moray, began repair works. The timber roofs were replaced, and the interiors, including the panelling in the Lord's Hall, were installed. Further repairs were made in 1970. In 1984, the 20th Earl of Moray placed the castle in the care of the nation. It is now looked after by Historic Scotland who continue with restoration work.

Music: Pipe tunes - Mist Covered Mountains, Dark Island, Road to The Isles, Dream Valley of Glendural, The Old Rustic Bridge.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Scotland
• Doune
• Castle
• Perthshire
• historic
• Monty
• Python
• and
• the
• Holy
• Grail
• Earl
• of
• Moray
• music
• pipes
• pipeband
• ancient
• monument
• Lord`s
• Hall

[lavender004]

what type of camera did you film this with? I went to this castle years ago, but unfortunately they wouldn't allow us in for some reason at the time. I was disappointed as I fell in love with it from the outside.

[bealach]

@lavender004

A shame you couldn`t see inside. From Nov. to March closed Thur/Fri, but otherwise open every day. Sometimes weddings there, but not sure if closed to public then.

Camera is: Samsung WB500.

[ghough12]

Great video. I didn't get a chance to see inside when I was last there, just did some stills of it and in the village - I was after the Red Kites that day. Shame about the wind farm on the hills, they weren't there either. Graham

[bealach]

@ghough12 The 36 turbines on the Braes of Doune have been operating for 3 years.

As you would expect, much divided local opinions, and opposition. Only good thing is Airtricity, the owners, have a community fund which gives cash grants to local groups and organisations in the area. (Hush money!)

More wind farms are popping up all over our local hills now!

[thundercats606]

I've been there. One of my favorite castles.

[lavender004]

@bealach I went in May of '04 so that is strange..I wish I had gone inside. I just loved it. Maybe next time..:-) I just love Scotland and want to visit again.

[PennyPaola]

Very interesting visit :) Thanks for this video!!!

[red777photo]

What a great video & tune, Top marks

[raydvd]

Excellent Video m8