Doune Castle (6 of 6)
Doune Castle consists of two great and tall keeps, linked by a lower range, which form the north side of a quadrangular courtyard, the other three sides of which are enclosed by a 40-foot-high curtain-wall, 8 feet thick, crowned by a parapet and walk, with open circular turrets at the angles and semi-circular bartisans corbelled out midway.
Of the two keeps, that to the north-east (seen on the left above) is the larger and higher, a massive, roughly rectangular building of five main storeys and a garret, with a semi-circular tower projecting at the north-east angle. It is crowned by a flush parapet flanking a gabled roof to north and south only, the wall-walks of these connecting only by open flights of steps up and over the pitched roof at each end-a highly unusual arrangement. The stairhead rises to form a lofty look-out platform, reached from the eastern flight of steps.
The north-west keep (extreme right) is somewhat lower, four storeys and a garret, but also has a flush parapet and gabled roof. There are a number of machicolated projections here, three grouped fairly close together, the largest above a built-up arched-headed postern gate to the west. The area between the two keeps is occupied by a long two-storeyed building. The courtyard is large and contains a deep draw-well.
The entrance is by an arched gateway in the main keep (see earlier photo), admitting to a steeply-rising, cobbled and vaulted pend, with a vaulted porter's lodge and inner chamber to one side, and a guardroom and dark beehive-vaulted pit or prison to the other (where you pay to get in these days!). Elsewhere in the basement there is a range of vaulted cellars and store-houses, from certain of which narrow stairs in the walling mount to the floor above. One of the features of this castle is the large number of unconnected narrow stairways.
The main access to the first floor is by two outside forestairs from the courtyard, one leading to the lord's quarters, the other to the retainers'. The Lord's Hall is a handsome vaulted apartment, with a splendid double fireplace, and has been restored with modern panelling. The banqueting and/or retainers' hall alongside occupies all the lower wing at this level, an enormous chamber open to the rafters. There is no normal fireplace here, but a central hearth has been contrived, and if this was original then the smoke must have found its way out of a hole in the roofing where there is now a louvre (visible in the photo above).
Particularly interesting are the kitchen premises in the west tower, at this level, consisting of the kitchen itself, with an enormous arched fireplace, area for an oven, and two slop-drains; also a handsome 'arcaded' servery, of highly modern aspect. Above this level were ample private and sleeping apartments in both towers.
Doune Castle is perhaps best known for its appearance in the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail and has become a place of pilgrimage for fans of Monty Python and the film. It was used as both 'Camelot' ("Spamalot"!), 'Swamp Castle' and 'Castle Anthrax'! Since 2004, an annual "Monty Python Day" has been held at the castle.
Doune Castle (6 of 6)
Doune Castle consists of two great and tall keeps, linked by a lower range, which form the north side of a quadrangular courtyard, the other three sides of which are enclosed by a 40-foot-high curtain-wall, 8 feet thick, crowned by a parapet and walk, with open circular turrets at the angles and semi-circular bartisans corbelled out midway.
Of the two keeps, that to the north-east (seen on the left above) is the larger and higher, a massive, roughly rectangular building of five main storeys and a garret, with a semi-circular tower projecting at the north-east angle. It is crowned by a flush parapet flanking a gabled roof to north and south only, the wall-walks of these connecting only by open flights of steps up and over the pitched roof at each end-a highly unusual arrangement. The stairhead rises to form a lofty look-out platform, reached from the eastern flight of steps.
The north-west keep (extreme right) is somewhat lower, four storeys and a garret, but also has a flush parapet and gabled roof. There are a number of machicolated projections here, three grouped fairly close together, the largest above a built-up arched-headed postern gate to the west. The area between the two keeps is occupied by a long two-storeyed building. The courtyard is large and contains a deep draw-well.
The entrance is by an arched gateway in the main keep (see earlier photo), admitting to a steeply-rising, cobbled and vaulted pend, with a vaulted porter's lodge and inner chamber to one side, and a guardroom and dark beehive-vaulted pit or prison to the other (where you pay to get in these days!). Elsewhere in the basement there is a range of vaulted cellars and store-houses, from certain of which narrow stairs in the walling mount to the floor above. One of the features of this castle is the large number of unconnected narrow stairways.
The main access to the first floor is by two outside forestairs from the courtyard, one leading to the lord's quarters, the other to the retainers'. The Lord's Hall is a handsome vaulted apartment, with a splendid double fireplace, and has been restored with modern panelling. The banqueting and/or retainers' hall alongside occupies all the lower wing at this level, an enormous chamber open to the rafters. There is no normal fireplace here, but a central hearth has been contrived, and if this was original then the smoke must have found its way out of a hole in the roofing where there is now a louvre (visible in the photo above).
Particularly interesting are the kitchen premises in the west tower, at this level, consisting of the kitchen itself, with an enormous arched fireplace, area for an oven, and two slop-drains; also a handsome 'arcaded' servery, of highly modern aspect. Above this level were ample private and sleeping apartments in both towers.
Doune Castle is perhaps best known for its appearance in the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail and has become a place of pilgrimage for fans of Monty Python and the film. It was used as both 'Camelot' ("Spamalot"!), 'Swamp Castle' and 'Castle Anthrax'! Since 2004, an annual "Monty Python Day" has been held at the castle.