Doune Castle Kitchen Tower

Last crawled date: 1 year, 8 months ago

The vaulted kitchen is on the hall level, above a cellar. One of the best-appointed castle kitchens in Scotland of its date, it has an oven and a 5.5-metre (18 ft) wide fireplace. A stair turret, added in 1581 and possibly replacing a timber stair, leads up from the lobby to two storeys of guest rooms. These include the 'Royal Apartments', a suite of two bedrooms plus an audience chamber, suitable for royal visitors. Doune Castle was built in the late 14th century for Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany, Regent of Scotland from 1396-1420. Duke Robert's stronghold has survived relatively unchanged and complete. 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. 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. It is now maintained by Historic Scotland. #Castle #Doune