Doune Castle - Courtyard walls

Last crawled date: 2 years, 11 months ago

This wall surrounds the central courtyard of the castle. There is a well in the center of the courtyard. Doune Castle was built in the late 14th century for Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany, Regent of Scotland from 1396-1420, the son of King Robert II of Scotland, and Regent of Scotland from 1388 until his death. Duke Robert's stronghold has survived relatively unchanged and complete, and the whole castle was traditionally thought of as the result of a single period of construction at this time. On the death of Robert Stewart in 1420 the castle was inherited by his son Murdoch, but he was executed by James I in 1425 and Doune was taken over by the Crown. The castle was used as a country retreat and hunting lodge by the royal family. It also served, in the late 15th century, as a dower house for some of the queens of Scotland. In 1570, the keeper of Doune Castle, Sir James Stewart, was given the title Lord Doune. He died in 1590 and was succeeded by his eldest son who gained, through marriage, the title of Earl of Moray. The castle has remained in the hands of the Earls of Moray ever since. Doune was garrisoned by government troops during the Jacobite risings of 1689 and 1715. It was taken by the Jacobites in 1745 and used as a prison. By the end of the 18th century it was roofless and falling into ruin. In 1883 the 14th Earl of Moray carried out a restoration, and further repairs have been made more recently. It is now maintained by Historic Scotland. #Castle #Doune