Why Outlander fans will want to visit Doune Castle in Scotland

Just outside the quaint village of Doune in Perthshire, Scotland sits a hilltop landmark that fans of the steamy show Outlander will instantly recognize: Doune Castle.

Surrounded by woodland parks and connected to the village by a riverside walkway, Doune Castle in Scotland dates way back to the 1300s but has more recently appeared in mainstream shows thanks to its Hollywood-worthy backdrop.

Quick find

History of Doune Castle, Scotland

First, a quick primer: Castle Doune was built as a key stronghold of Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany. A son of King Robert II, he gained control of this area in 1361 thanks to his marriage to Margaret Graham, Countess of Menteith, and was appointed Guardian of the Kingdom.

While Stewart was never technically a king, he ruled Scotland for the next 22 years and used the castle as a royal residence.

Doune itself has a long history of fortification with a nearby Roman fort, and it’s believed the current castle likely includes parts of an earlier castle that once stood here.

Doune Castle and its links to Hollywood

Doune Castle’s towering, isolated perch makes it an ideal filming location. It has appeared in the iconic 1974 movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail, as Winterfell in the pilot episode of the TV series Game of Thrones, and most notably as Castle Leoch in the fantasy-romance Netflix series Outlander featuring time-crossed lovers Claire Randall and Jamie Fraser.

For those familiar with the show, Castle Leoch was the fictional seat of Clan MacKenzie said to be located in the northern Scottish Highlands. The real castle courtyard was transformed to become Castle Leoch, and production designers used molds of the architecture to build studio sets for interior castle scenes.

Doune Castle in Scotland — The castle courtyard

It appeared in the 18th century episodes of Outlander, as well as the 20th century one where Claire and her husband Frank visit the castle on a day trip.

There are interpretive signs throughout the property as well as audio guide stations detailing how the castle was incorporated into the show, like how tonnes of soil were laid to create the look of an 18th century courtyard and that buildings had to be re-thatched where birds stole straw for nesting during the winter.

Highlights of Doune Castle

Even if you’ve never seen any of those shows, Doune Castle is still a great spot to visit for those who find themselves in Perthshire. In fact, legend has it that Mary Queen of Scots once stayed here!

Inside Doune Castle, you’ll find the castle living quarters, a minstrels’ gallery with its distinctive central hearth, and the Duke’s Hall which was restored in 1883 and features an impressive double fireplace and musicians’ gallery. It leads to a kitchen tower, and private apartments where the duke and duchess would have stayed.

Doune Castle tours

Doune Castle is open year-round except for select holidays, and admission is £10.00 for those aged 16 and up, and £6.00 for kids (25 per cent off entry for those who arrive car-free by train, bus or bike). Be sure to check out the gift shops, which sells coconuts in a cheeky nod to Monty Python.

It’s compact enough to tour on your own with one of the audio guides; however, guided day trips from Edinburgh and Glasgow are also popular, which visit multiple Outlander filming locations throughout Scotland.