About An Hour From Edinburgh Is Scotland's Charming Village With A Famous Castle And Pop Culture History

Of all the castles in the United Kingdom, none has been seen by more eyes than the one in the Scottish town of Doune, though it's known by several other names as shown in popular movies and television shows. Yet, the castle isn't the only reason to visit, as this quaint village has its own allure with cozy shops, historic buildings, and delicious food that's easily found strolling among its old-time ambiance.

Doune can be reached by a 45-minute drive from Edinburgh Airport (EDI), while bus, train, and airport transfer options are also available. Serene farms, lush forests, and pretty hedgerows offer a fine view during the ride, and travelers will know they're close to Doune when they see a statue on the north side of the road of Colonel David Stirling, who created the Special Air Service (SAS) during World War II, razing German airfields, and later becoming knighted in 1990.

Arriving in Doune, the charm of the town is immediately evident, as old Scottish houses, each with doors and window trimmings painted in different colors, often display collections of bright flowers in front. Stay in a historic and well-kept stone building that was once a church at the Auld Kirk House, which combines luxury and old-style allure, making a convenient base from which to explore the town and the castle. Shop for intriguing antiques at The Desirable Curio, which doesn't waste space with half-broken things but showcases items of class and beauty. Finally, make a pitstop at Buttercup Cafe, the place for healthy and beautifully presented fare set in cozy surroundings.

Though the appeal of the town is considerable, the star attraction is the historic Doune Castle, perched on a green hill next to the River Teith. Constructed in the 13th century, it was the home of "Scotland's uncrowned king," Robert Stewart, who rebuilt the castle following the Scottish Wars of Independence. It has undergone several changes since then, with odds and ends of its construction showing possibly unfinished or removed parts of the castle.

A reasonable admission grants access to the castle, which is open year-round with varying hours according to the season. As a centuries-old building, little of it is wheelchair accessible, yet the courtyard and ground floor can be reached for grand views of the castle and a portion of its interior. Visitors are sure to want to take plenty of photos, which can help with conservation efforts. Send your pictures to Monument Monitor so they can be reviewed to determine the ongoing state of this and other historic landmarks.

An audio tour is included when visiting, which has Monty Python's Terry Jones as narrator, per Edinburgh Expert, whose comedic sense and historical passion are on display in many of his historical and fictional published works. The castle's uncommon construction is as whimsical as the narration, with odd passageways, stairs, and other twists and turns, according to History Hit, which adds a bit of fun intrigue to the exploration of one of the best activities you can't skip on a trip to Scotland.

Visitors may recognize Doune Castle because of its appearance in famous pop culture movies and shows through the decades, appealing to fans of all ages. One of the most beloved uses of the castle was in "Monty Python & The Holy Grail." Castle Doune acted as Castle Anthrax, Camelot, and Swamp Castle. It can be seen in its full glory in the Trojan Rabbit scene, which lampoons the historical Trojan Horse.

It also served as the setting for Winterfell in the immensely popular show "Game of Thrones," which ran from 2011 to 2019, with the final episode attracting 8.9 million viewers. Among other filming locations you can visit from the show, Doune Castle was prominently featured in scenes like King Robert's arrival at Winterfell as he is greeted by the Stark family, and its vast hall was where the Feast of Winterfell took place, offering early glimpses of the personalities of several key characters.

More recently, great fanfare has been made of the show "Outlander," with Doune Castle used to portray Castle Leoch, set in the world of Diana Gabaldon's titular book series. Also featured was the stunning Scottish village of Falkland. Both the village and the castle can be visited on select tours related to the show. Travelers can explore the home of the fictional version of Clan MacKenzie in the home of the historical Clan Stewart, experiencing a memorable meeting of history and fantasy.