Dunblane and Doune – Above the Allan Water and the Teith
A few hours.
The route
Two fine old buildings a few miles apart north of Stirling: Dunblane's cathedral above the Allan Water, and Doune Castle on its mound over the River Teith, then lunch at a farm shop café.
Before you go
Book accommodation nearby
If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.
The nearest of ours is Cromlix in Kinbuck, 6 miles away.
Tickets are for a set date and time, and cost less booked ahead online.
The day
Dunblane and Doune
Dunblane's cathedral first, then west to Doune Castle, and south to lunch.
Dunblane Cathedral
Dunblane Cathedral stands at the top of the town, where St Blane is said to have founded a church around the year 600. Much of the town's parking is on Perth Road, below the High Street. The tower's top half was built later than the bottom, and it sits slightly out of line with the rest of the church. The nave was roofless by 1600 and stayed so until a restoration finished in 1893. Inside are a Pictish cross of the ninth century and, in the choir, stalls and a screen of 1914 under an east window of 1901.
About 5 min by car
Doune Castle
An attraction
Doune Castle stands at the south edge of the village, built for Robert, Duke of Albany, in the late 1300s. Park beside it and leave a donation if you wish, or in the village at Castlehill, which is free. Inside the gatehouse is the Lord's Hall, with a double fireplace and a gallery for its musicians. It was the castle in Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Winterfell in the first episode of Game of Thrones and Castle Leoch in Outlander. Your ticket brings an audio guide for your own phone, voiced by Terry Jones and Sam Heughan.
About 5 min by car
Blair Drummond Smiddy Farmshop
Lunch
Lunch is at the Blair Drummond Smiddy, a farm shop, butchery and café on the A84 just south of Doune, whose name comes from the old smithy that served the area for generations, with views to the Gargunnock Hills. The kitchen cooks with products from its butchery and local suppliers, with specials new every Thursday, and the scones, traybakes and cheesecakes are baked in-house, always with some gluten-free choices. A group of ten or more should phone ahead.
If it rains
The cathedral and the castle's hall and kitchen are under a roof.
Where to stay
