It is at first floor level, with a covered entrance hall and a screened passage between the hall and its kitchens at the west end. Monty Python and the Holy Grail was also filmed at the castle. You might even meet Michael Palin or Terry Jones on one of their return visits...Doune castle is a fascinating place. © Historic Environment Scotland - Scottish Charity No.
And of all the TV shows and movies shot on location there, none has used the castle’s medieval beauty more effectively than Monty Python’s 1974 comedy classic.
We visited Doune Castle as the last stop on our Rabbie’s West Highlands tour and it was an awesome end to our day!
It is known that the fortification was erected for Robert Stewart, the 1st Duke of Albany.It now serves as a major tourist attraction in Scotland, and people come from all corners of the globe to witness this original 14th century castle or to experience the famous Monty Python location first-hand.The castle’s architecture was very impressive. Parking at the castle was a little tricky.
It stands alone surrounded by a carpet of green grass, inviting the young and old alike to explore its rooms and grounds. Doune Castle may look strangely familiar, even to those who have never visited before.
Ironically, a lot of the visitors to the castle now go there purely because of the movie connection.
You are given a small audio box and headphones and told you are free to wander the castle as you please. Apparently, a Monty Python appearance is how to get more views on youtube and how to get more visitors to your castle. A tumultuous period then followed. It’s an easy walk on a stone path and a great way to continue your adventure learning about Doune Castle and its surroundings.Doune Castle was also used as Winterfell in the pilot of Game of Thrones.The grounds were closed off to visitors when we arrived because of heavy rain and poor drainage. There was also restoration works going on inside the courtyard but this didn’t spoil the atmosphere or experience.After finishing the tour and chatting to staff, we went into the gift shop and bought a Monty Python Castle beer!But probably more increasingly popular, the castle interior and exterior was used extensively in the filming of the famous Outlander series – used as the fictional Castle Leoch.One of the main things that made the castle tour worth it was the staff. Restoration was undertaken in 1883 and further repairs were made in 1970. Visitors get a real sense of a living, working castle with its labyrinth of rooms, interconnecting passageways and staircases.In 1570, ownership passed to Sir James Stewart, the first Lord Doune. Listen to example audio tour clips: Enter Doune Castle [MP3] Optional Monty Python detail [MP3]