Built as the home of Regent Albany, “Scotland’s uncrowned king,” Doune Castle is one of the finest surviving examples of late-14th-century palace architecture. The duke’s rich tastes can be seen clearly in the medieval courtyard, which has since been featured in everything from Monty Python and the Holy Grail to Game of Thrones and Outlander. While the castle is restored, it’s not dolled up with fancy furniture or tapestries, so visitors must use their imagination to picture life here in the Middle Ages. Envision the cathedral-like Great Hall filled with Albany’s guests, or the kitchen busy with servants preparing a great banquet. Before leaving, be sure to admire the views from the battlements over the River Teith and toward the Menteith Hills and Ben Lomond.
