Located near Loch Lomond in central Scotland’s Stirling district, Doune Castle should look very familiar to anyone with an interest in popular culture.

Built in the early 1400s for Robert Stewart, the Duke of Albany (and grandson of Robert the Bruce), the medieval castle has been inhabited by Scottish legends ranging from Mary, Queen of Scots to Bonnie Prince Charlie.

In more recent times, it has appeared in everything from Monty Python & the Holy Grail and Game of Thrones to Outlander.

The reason for its popularity should be obvious from your visit: The castle is vast and largely empty, leaving plenty of room for imagining its ancient history.

The excellent audio tours (narrated by Monty Python’s Terry Jones and Outlander star Sam Heughan, depending on which track you choose) add great historical context to rooms such as the Great Hall, Lord’s Hall, and kitchen.

It was arguably our favorite castle in Scotland but get there early if you visit in peak season and want to avoid the crowds.

By Bret Love and Mary Gabbett from Green Global Travel - https://greenglobaltravel.com/doune-castle-filming-locations-scotland/