'Doune' (
Gaelic: ''An Dùn'') is a
burgh in the district of
Stirling,
Scotland, on the
River Teith. The town is dominated by
Doune Castle, built in the late 14th century. Architecturally it constitutes a mixture of fortress and manor-house.
Doune was also famous for its manufacture of pistols, but this eventually ceased due to the competition of manufacturers in, for example,
Birmingham where production was cheaper. Today, these pistols are collected and can be found in major museums, including the
Museum of Scotland in
Edinburgh. Allegedly a Doune pistol fired the first shot of the American War of Independence.
Land east of Doune was owned by the Stirling of Kier family (who still own Kier House and the land near it). One member of the family, SAS founder
David Stirling, is memorialised at a monument on the Kier land near Doune known as the "Hill o' Rou".
During the building of a nursery on the grassy pitch of Doune primary school the remains of a roman settlement were unearthed and debate instantly arose over their propose. Eventually it was established that the most likely explanation was that it was a hospital camp.
Doune Speed Hillclimb is the most prestigious
hillclimb course in Scotland, and hosts a round of the
British Hill Climb Championship each year.
Monty Python
A few scenes from the movie ''
Monty Python and the Holy Grail'' were filmed at
Doune Castle.
Location
Postally, Doune lies within
Perthshire (this is reflected in the addresses, for example ''Earn Farm, Doune, Perthshire''). However, administratively Doune is under the control of (and closer to)
Stirling council.
Doune is assigned
Falkirk post codes starting 'FK'.
External links
★
Gazetteer for Doune
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