A brief of Doune Castle and the Stewart’s
The players:
Robert the Bruce (known as Robert I), Great-grandfather of Robert Stewart (Albany)
Walter Stewart, 6th High Steward of Scotland, grandfather to Robert Stewart (Albany)
King Robert II of Scotland, son of Marjorie Bruce, daughter of Robert the Bruce, father to Robert Stewart (Albany)
John Stewart, older brother of Robert Stewart (Albany), also known as Lord Carrick
Robert Stewart, The Duke of Albany (he’s also known as “Albany”) & second son of King Robert II
Murdoch Stewart, son of Robert Stewart (Albany)
Alexander Stewart (another one), son of Murdoch Stewart
King Robert III, oldest son of Robert II of Scotland
Alexander Stewart, brother of King Robert III & Earl of Buchan
Alexander Stewart (yet another one) Earl of Mar, illegitimate son of Alexander Stewart, the Earl of Buchan, Juryman
David Stewart, son of King Robert III, older brother to James I & Duke of Rothesay
James I, younger son of King Robert III
James the Fat, son of James I
Walter Stewart, Earl of Athol, Juryman
So this is the background for Doune castle. The castle was built by Robert Stewart, a descendant of Robert the Bruce, and Duke of Albany in the 1400’s. Robert was also known as the “uncrowned king” of Scotland and was said to have been a ruthless politician. Ruthless in the sense that he was suspected of allowing his nephew, David Stewart, to be killed while in his care so that he could not accede to the throne.
Doune Castle
Robert ruled until 1420 where on his death, his son Murdoch Stewart, succeeded as Duke of Albany. But not for long…. Seems the real heir to the throne, James Stewart or James I, had been in exile but returned after hearing about Roberts death and immediately had Murdoch and most of his family arrested for treason, tried and then beheaded. (Side note: Alexander Stewart, Earl of Mar & Walter Stewart, Earl of Athol were on the jury convicting Murdoch and his family of treason) The only remaining son of Murdoch, James the Fat, escaped and fled to Ireland never to return. Now that’s a family that sticks together in good and bad. I bet they didn’t exchange Christmas gifts either! End of the Stewart story.
This is one of Scotland’s most complete castles and has been used quite often in movies such as, Monty Python and the Search for the Holy Grail, Outlander, and as Winterfell Castle in Game of Thrones. It isn’t a large castle but the rooms and grounds are in great condition for something that is 600 years old! Over the years the castle has been used as a prison, hunting lodge and a dower house (home for widowed queens).
Looking into the kitchen
Far end of the kitchen. Remains of a small oven can be seen on the floor.
Main oven in kitchen
Marks on kitchen wall from sharpening knives
Dining hall
Bandstand in dining hall
Tower stairway to family chambers
Another use for the hanging tree
Meeting room
Guest loo
The Duke’s chambers. Door on right is to his private loo.
The Great Hall. Two-stories, another floor would have been below opening on top left
Tower exterior
Touring the castle takes about 1-1 ½ hours and costs ~7.50USD. The admission cost includes an audio guide recorded by Terry Jones and includes details about the filming of Monty Python’s, “Search for the Holy Grail”.