Popular Film Location

Doune Castle has been used as a film location as the fictional Castle Leoch from the popular TV series Outlander and is having a record number of visitors due to the “Outlander effect” .  There are a number of Outlander film locations within walking distance of the Red Lion.

Doune Castle has been used in many films and television series, but is perhaps best known as the castle in the Monty Python movie ‘The Holy Grail’ and every year; hundreds of fans flock to the castle to celebrate the anniversary with some of the members of the cast. It was also used in the BBC production of Ivanhoe, and know as Winterfell in TV series Game of Thrones.

Deanston Distillery is just a mile from Doune and was the film location for the Angel’s Share. On the Deanston Heritage Tour there is an opportunity to explore the picturesque conservation village that has been used in a number of BBC period pieces including Rillington Place.

Doune Castle

Recent history of the castle shows that it was built as a hunting lodge and retreat by Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany, who was the Regent of Scotland from 1396-1420. Much of the castle has been restored in recent centuries, but it is still one of the best preserved medieval castles in Scotland.

The castle was later used as a hunting seat by James II and a dower house for Mary of Gueldres, Margaret of Denmark and Margaret Tudor; the consorts of James II, James III and James IV respectively.

Doune Castle has had a varied and interesting history; in 1570, Mary, Queen of Scots was imprisoned in the castle and in 1645, Graham Duke of Montrose occupied Doune. In 1689, the government of William III garrisoned the castle when fighting the covenanters. Most recently, the castle was seized by the Jacobites in 1745 and used as a prison. The roof of the castle was destroyed by 1800 and was restored later in the century.

Local Amenities

The Red Lion Inn is within a 40 minute drive from both Edinburgh and Glasgow Airports. The name ‘Doune’ is derived from the Gaelic word ‘dun’ meaning ‘hill fort’; referring to the mound  on which Doune castle now stands, on the banks of the river Teith.

Doune is situated in a rural location and sited on the banks of the river Teith; the major tributary of the river Forth, local angling and shooting opportunities are extensive and can be arranged through the Inn.

Doune is surrounded by some of the finest golfing locations in the world with St Andrews and Gleneagles within easy driving distance; there are also many local courses available for the less accomplished!

Explore the Surrounding Area

There are many other local attractions including Doune Castle, Stirling Castle, Wallace Monument, Doune Pistol Makers, Blair Drummond Safari Park, Deanston Distillery, Argaty Kites Reserve, Kelpies and  Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park to name but a few.

Electric Vehicle Charge Point

There are a number of electrical vehicle charging points in the area and the nearest is situated a few miles out of Doune at:

Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park, Lime Avenue, Stirling, FK9 4UR (Fast charge)

Other options include: Castle View Park & Ride, A84, Stirling, FK9 4TW (Rapid Charge)

Abbotsford Lodge, Stirling Road, Callander, Stirling, FK17 8DA (Fast Charge)

You can also use the following link to find alternative charging points https://www.zap-map.com/live/