# Doune

Doune is a village in Stirlingshire, some 8 miles northwest of Stirling, with a population in 2021 of 2240. The reason to come here is to visit the castle, en route to the Trossachs.

## Get in

Dunblane is the nearest railway station, 4½ miles east, but has no onward public transport to Doune - either take a taxi, bike on train, or get off at Stirling for the bus.
McGills Bus 59 runs from Stirling hourly M-Sa (every 2 hours Su) and takes 30 min via Blair Drummond to Doune, continuing to Callander.
Citylink Bus 978 runs daily from Edinburgh, taking 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$^{[deadlink]}$ is on +44 7789 430894.
Roots Cycles do sales and repairs but not bike hire. They're at Old Putty Yard near the Coop, open M-W, F Sa 9:30AM-5:30PM.

## See

* 56.1853-4.05011 Doune Castle, Castle Hill FK16 6EA, ☏ +44 1786 841742. Daily Apr-Sep 9:30AM-5:30PM, Oct-Mar 10AM-4PM. An imposing castle, re-built in the 14th century. It's on a great defensive site, a steep peninsula between the River Teith and the Ardoch Burn, with earthworks across the neck of land north. You enter through a narrow gateway into a large central courtyard. Steps off this lead to the Great Hall, massive kitchen, Lord's Hall and other apartments. The castle fell derelict by 1800 but has been restored, and is often a film and TV location. Adult £10, conc £8, child £6, HES free. (updated Mar 2024)
* 56.1973-4.0862 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.
* 56.1796-4.01073 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 at Keir Mains, a mile south of Dunblane and 3 miles east of Doune. From M90 terminus jcn 11 take B824 west.
* 56.2087-4.07391 Doune Hillclimb, Buchany FK16 6FG (a mile west of Doune on A84). This is the on-road version of hill climb with a tarmac track and cars that look like conventional racers, not the off-road bike version. This hillclimb course is 1476 yards (1350 m); the track record is just under 35 sec. Club races are April-Sept, with the British Hill Climb Championships in June and September. (updated Mar 2024)
* 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 daily 7AM-10PM.

## Eat

* 56.1896-4.0521 Buttercup Cafe, 7 Main St FK16 6BJ, ☏ +44 1786 842511. Daily 9AM-4PM. Cheery cafe, can get busy with slow service, dog-friendly. (updated Mar 2024)

## Drink

* Red Lion is the village pub, see Sleep.
* 56.1889-4.07021 Deanston Distillery, Teith Rd, Deanston FK16 6AG, ☏ +44 1786 843010. Daily 10AM-5PM. This 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. Tour £25. (updated Mar 2024)

## Sleep

* 56.1897-4.05561 The Woodside, Stirling Rd FK16 6AB, ☏ +44 1786 643399. Smart friendly hotel with 11 rooms en suite and good dining. B&B double £170. (updated Mar 2024)
* Red Lion Inn, Balkerach Street FK16 6DF. This changed owners and is not offering accommodation in 2024. (updated Mar 2024)
* 56.182-4.06572 Ashmill Caravan Site, Stirling Rd FK16 6AA, ☏ +44 1786 842648. By main road, with 18 hard standing pitches and good facilities. Dog-friendly. Hook-up £33. (updated Mar 2024)

## Connect

As of March 2024, Doune and its approach roads have 4G from all UK carriers, though the signal from Three is patchy. 5G has reached the nearby M9 but not the town.

## Go next

* Dunblane for its cathedral.
* Callander for the Trossachs.
* Stirling for the imposing castle.