Doune Castle

The castle is on the edge of the village of Doune, 8.5 miles from Stirling and 4.5 miles from Dunblane.

View Doune Castle on Google maps

By bus and train

The number 59 bus runs from Stirling and stops in Doune, taking approximately 30 minutes. he castle is 0.5 miles from Bank Street bus stop.

Stirling is served by trains from across Scotland, including from Glasgow and Edinburgh. There are also trains to Dunblane from Glasgow and Edinburgh.

By bike

The National Cycle Network Route 765 links Doune village to Dunblane via quiet streets and traffic-free paths. There is parking for up to 8 bicycles at the castle.

Search for National Cycle Network routes with the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust.

By car

There is limited visitor parking available at Doune Castle. We recommend taking public transport or parking in the village car parks where possible.

Plan and save with Good Journey

Plan your journey by public transport using Good Journey. Book a car-free visit online with the code GOOD25 and receive a 25% discount.

There is limited visitor parking available at Doune Castle. We welcome donations for use of the car park. 

Two accessible bays for blue badge holders are available on a first come first served basis.

Limited parking for small minibuses (up to 16 seat/2m wide x 4m long) must be booked in advance.

To check minibus parking availability:

• Group Sales account holders should email trade@hes.scot.

• If you don’t have a Group Sales account, please email ticketing@hes.scot.

We can't accommodate motorhomes, campervans, caravans and coaches in the car park. Larger coaches should arrange drop-off and pick-up in Doune village at the bus stop on Balkerach Street and use the upgraded footpaths through the Roman fort site to access the castle.

There are 3 free car parks within the village: Castlehill Car Park (FK16 6BJ), Doune Ponds Car Park (FK16 6EH) and Draggie Burn Park and Stride (FK16 6QJ).

The castle is only a 20-minute walk away from the Draggie Burn Park & Stride (postcode: FK16 6QJ) located on the northwestern edge of the Doune Ponds Nature Reserve, and this map and directions give two options to walk to the castle.

Park & Stride Map

Directions from Park & Stride to Doune Castle

Watch Craft Knight embark on a quest to find the holy grail from the Park and Stride below.

Carers tickets

In line with best practice in the visitor attractions industry, visitors with disabilities are treated on an equal basis with all other visitors and entry is charged at the appropriate admission category rate - Adult/Concession/Child. Proof of disability is not required.

We recognise that some disabled visitors may need help to visit our sites and we offer free entry for accompanying carers, these can be added when making your booking. Please note this is limited to two carers per transaction.

Parking

There is a level, tarmac-surfaced car park. We have two accessible bays for blue badge holders, which are available on a first come first served basis.

Approach to the site

There is an adapted toilet in the cottage, 25m along an artificial grass path from the car park.

The path to the castle is 275m long. It starts off on tarmac at a slight incline and ends with a very steep gradient and rough, uneven cobbles. These can be very slippery when wet. The route is visible from the car park.

Dogs

Assistance dogs are permitted at all our sites and within roofed areas. Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times and not left unattended at any time. Owners must pick up after their dogs.

Visitors' dogs are not permitted at Doune Castle.

Visiting the site

The castle entrance has rough, uneven cobbles and is on an upward slope with a single handrail

Tour through the site with our audio guide using your own mobile phone - included in ticket price. You'll need internet access. We'll show you how to load the guide in an email before you arrive

The courtyard is grassed and uneven. The ground floor shop is step-free

The first floor, including Kitchen, Great Hall and Duke’s Hall, is reached up a straight stair of 13 steps with a handrail. There are several raised thresholds

The second floor, containing the Duchess’s Hall and other chambers, is reached by uneven spiral staircases with handrails

Surroundings

The castle sits in extensive wood and parkland. There is a footpath to the village of Doune and a riverside walk below the castle.

View Doune Castle on Euan's Guide.

• Accessible by public transport
• Bicycle rack
• Car parking
• Accessible toilets
• No dogs except assistance dogs
• Picnic area
• Toilets
• Shop
• Self-service tea/coffee
• Baby changing facilities