The castle in the small town of Doune (pop. 1,200; 8mi/12.8km to the northwest of Stirling) was built at the end of the 14th century by Robert Stewart, the first Duke of Albany and the Earl of Menteith and Fife. In 1570 the owner of the property Sir James Stewart was appointed Lord Doune and his son acquired through marriage the title of Earl of
Moray. Since then Doune Castle with its 100ft/30m tower house, west tower and three-sided curtain wall has remained the seat of the earls of Moray. In 1883 the architect Andrew Kerr was commissioned by the 14th Earl to undertake comprehensive restoration work, with the provision that the character of the medieval castle be retained. In the Lord's Hall on the first floor, look out for a fine double fireplace and the Moray coat-of-arms, as well as the lancet windows and fireplaces in the apartments. An octagonal font in the chapel is of interest, while the Great Hall displays banners of all the families who have had links with Doune Castle.
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