Doune Castle
Stirling, Scotland
Photo: Godot13, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: Wikifan75, CC BY-SA 3.0 · HARTLEPOOLMARINA2014, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- Historic Environment Scotland
- Condition
- Intact
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
- Entry pass
- Historic Scotland Explorer Pass
- Nearest station
- Dunblane, 3.2 miles (straight-line)
- Note
- Monty Python, Outlander and Game of Thrones location
Pinpoint
Castle Hill, Doune FK16 6EA
Telephone 01786 841742
Opening Hours
Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| 1 April - 30 September | Daily 9.30am to 5.30pm |
| 1 October - 31 March | Daily 10am to 4pm |
Last entry: 45 minutes before closing
- Closed
- 25 and 26 December; 1 and 2 January. Closes at 2pm on 24 December.
Checked against the official page on 13 August 2026.
A well-preserved 14th-century courtyard castle built for the Duke of Albany, now known to most visitors as a filming location for Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Outlander and Game of Thrones. The compact exterior undersells how much there is to explore inside.
At a glance
Who to know
Terry Jones · the Monty Python member who narrates part of the audio tour
Worth the trip
The audio tour, narrated in part by Terry Jones, which reviewers across the board rate among the best they've done anywhere.
Before you go
Some of the spiral staircases are narrow and steep, worth knowing if mobility is a concern - budget more time than the building's footprint suggests.
What visitors say
Doune Castle reviews · 4.5 / 5 across 7,568 Google reviews
Doune Castle's reviews are near-unanimously enthusiastic, and the audio tour comes up in nearly every one as a genuine highlight - informative and, several reviewers add, genuinely funny.
Its film and TV connections (Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Outlander) are a major draw for many visitors.
One practical note recurs: the spiral staircases are steep and narrow, which one reviewer flags as unsuitable for elderly visitors or those with mobility issues, and the car park is noted as small relative to how popular the site is.
“If your a castle fan is it a really cool place to stop in and see. Loads of fun information and a really great audio tour. If your a Monty Python fan its a must. The audio tour also covers loads of stuff for Monty…”- Eggy, visitor review
Within reach of Glasgow (24 miles), Edinburgh (37 miles) - see what else is nearby.
Walks at Doune Castle
Doune Castle is on our walks roll because a visitor described a walk here in their own review:
“The surroundings are incredibly lush, green, and peaceful, with lovely walking paths tracing around the castle.”- Nina Than, visitor review
Comparing options? See every UK castle with a walk visitors describe.
One visitor's account, not a route guide. We hold no distances, waymarks or start points. For the actual route, check the operator's own site and an Ordnance Survey map before you set out, and treat coastal and clifftop paths as weather- and tide-dependent.
History
Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany · late 14th century
Rebuilt in its present form during the late 14th century by Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany (Regent of Scotland), though 13th-century structures existed on the site. The castle passed to the crown in 1425 and served as a royal hunting lodge, dower house for queens, and residence for the Earls of Moray before passing into state care in the 20th century.
Adapted from this castle's Wikipedia article, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Plan your visit
- Combine this with
- Stirling Castle is only 5.9 miles away - worth pairing into the same day. See Stirling Castle →
- Tickets & opening times
- Check current prices and hours with the operator before travelling - details change more often than any directory can track.
- Data checked
- Ratings, review counts and the visitor-note quotes above were drawn from publicly available Google reviews. Castles change hands and adjust hours faster than any directory can track in real time.
Practical notes from visitors
Quoted from individual Google reviews, not verified with the operator - treat as a steer, not gospel, and check before you travel.
- Parking
- “That said, the parking lot is quite small considering how popular the place is and how many visitors come here.” - Petr Weiss
- Guided tours
- “I’m not usually a big fan of the audio tour guide but this one is superb (and really funny).” - Karen
- Terrain & accessibility
- “However, please note that the spiral staircases are quite steep and narrow, so they might not be suitable for the elderly or those with mobility issues.” - Nina Than
Common questions about Doune Castle
Where is Doune Castle?
Doune Castle is in Stirling, Scotland, at Castle Hill, Doune FK16 6EA.
Do you need a ticket to visit Doune Castle?
Yes - Doune Castle is a staffed, ticketed attraction run by Historic Environment Scotland. Ticket prices and opening hours change through the year, so check the official site before travelling.
Are there walks at Doune Castle?
Visitor reviews describe walking here - one reviewer wrote: “The surroundings are incredibly lush, green, and peaceful, with lovely walking paths tracing around the castle.”. That is one visitor's account rather than a route guide, so check the operator's own site and an Ordnance Survey map for distances, paths and start points before setting out.
What is the highlight of visiting Doune Castle?
The audio tour, narrated in part by Terry Jones, which reviewers across the board rate among the best they've done anywhere.
Is Doune Castle a ruin or still intact?
Doune Castle is largely intact - Monty Python, Outlander and Game of Thrones location.
