Doune - burgh in Stirling, Scotland, UK
Doune is a village in Stirlingshire, some 8 miles northwest of Stirling, with a population in 2020 of 2200. The reason to come here is to visit the castle, en route to the Trossachs.
Get in
First Scotland East Bus 59 runs from Stirling hourly M-Sa (every 2 hours Su) via Blair Drummond to Doune, continuing to Callander. There's nothing direct from Dunblane, you have to double back via Stirling.
Scottish Citylink Bus 978 runs daily from Edinburgh, taking about 90 min via the airport, Grangemouth and Stirling, and continuing to Callander, Crianlarich, Tyndrum, Dalmally, Taynuilt and Oban. The bus stop for the 978 is by Fir Rd.
Get around
The castle is a short walk from the village.
Taxi: Doune Travel is on +44 7789 430894.
See
- Doune Castle, 56.1853°, -4.0500°, +44 1786 841742. Daily Apr-Sept 09:30-17:30, Oct-Mar 10:00-16:00. An imposing Medieval castle on a wooded bend where a tributary joins the River Teith, across a bridge. The site is defended on three sides by the ground sloping steeply down to the rivers, and the approach from the north is defended by earthworks. The castle is entered through a narrow gateway and a 46 ft (14 m) long vaulted passageway that leads to a large central courtyard. Off this, steps lead up to the Great Hall which is connected by arched servery hatches and a door to the massive kitchen. An enclosed staircase from the courtyard reaches the timber panelled Lord's Hall and other apartments. Doune Castle was a location used in the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail and in the television series' Game of Thrones and "Outlander". Adult £9, Concession £7.20, Child £5.40. Summer 2022 - grounds open and free to visit 2019-04-02
- Kilmadock Church 📍 or St Aedh's is a picturesque medieval ruin and burial ground. It was run by the priory of Inchmahome on the Lake of Menteith.
- Hill of Row 📍 (pronounced "roo") rises southeast. There's the remains of stone circle and a statue of David Stirling (1915-1990), founder of the SAS.
Do
- Doune and Dunblane Show is an agricultural show and Highland Games, held on the first Saturday in July. The next is on Sa 1 July 2023 at Keir Mains, a mile south of Dunblane and 3 miles east of Doune. From M90 terminus jcn 11 take B824 west.
- Doune Hillclimb, Buchany FK16 6FG (a mile west of Doune on A84), 56.2087°, -4.0739°. This is the on-road version of hill climb with a tarmac track and cars that look like conventional racers, not the offroad bike version. This hillclimb course is 1476 yards / 1350 m; the track record is just under 35 secs. There are meetings of the British Hill Climb Championship in June and Sept each year and of the Scottish Championship in April. 2019-03-25
- Blair Drummond Safari Park is two miles south on A84, see Stirling.
Buy
- Co-op Food is at the corner of Castlehill Court with Main St. It's open M-Sa 07:00-22:00, Su 10:00-18:00.
Eat
- Buttercup Cafe, 7 Main St FK16 6BJ, 56.189629°, -4.052010°, +44 1786 842511. Daily 09:00-16:00. Cheery cafe, can get busy with slow service, dog-friendly. 2019-04-02
Drink
- Red Lion is the village pub, see Sleep.
- Deanston Distillery makes single malt whisky in a former cotton mill. It began production in 1966, went out of business 1982-1990, then was re-opened by Burn Stewart (nowadays part of Distell Group). They use the unpeated water of the River Teith and mature in bourbon barrels, so the whisky is smooth and sweet. Tours remain suspended in 2022 but tastings are available. The distillery is south bank of the river a mile upstream from town, open daily 10:00-17:00.
Sleep
- The Woodside Hotel, Stirling Rd, FK16 6AB, 56.189699°, -4.055560°. 3-star eleven room hotel. B&B double from £80 2019-04-02
- Red Lion Inn, Balkerach Street FK16 6DF, 56.189996°, -4.053047°. 3-star six room pub hotel. B&B double £80 2019-04-02
Connect
As of Feb 2022, Doune has 4G from all UK carriers, though the signal from Vodafone is patchy. 5G has reached the nearby M9 but not the town.