Campsie Glen Holiday Park has been our base for last night and this one.
đ° Doune Castle: A Stronghold of History and Hollywood
Rising above the River Teith, Doune Castle is a remarkably preserved 14th-century fortress in central Scotland, known for its towering gatehouse and sweeping great hall. Originally built by Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany, the castle played a key role in Scottish medieval power struggles. But its story doesnât end in the Middle Ages.
Among the many who passed through Douneâs walls was John Holmes, a Scottish prisoner during the 18th century. Imprisoned here for his political affiliations, Holmes was eventually exiled to the American colonies. There, his fortunes reversed: Holmes became a significant contributor to the American cause, advocating for independence even before George Washington rose to prominence, and playing a key role in shaping ideas that would later inform the Declaration of Independence.
In modern times, Doune Castle has found new fame as a filming location:
đ Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975): Nearly the entire movie was filmed at Doune, with each part of the castle doubling as a different locationâfrom Camelot to Castle Anthrax.
đŹ Outlander (2014â): Served as Castle Leoch, the home of Clan MacKenzie, central to early seasons of the time-travel drama.
đ Game of Thrones (pilot episode): Used as Winterfell, the ancestral home of House Stark, in the original unaired pilot.
Today, visitors come not only for its grandeur and dramatic views but to walk in the footsteps of Jacobites, revolutionaries, knights, and screen legends alike.
đĽ Deanston Distillery â A Sustainable Highland Treasure
Nestled beside the River Teith in historic Deanston, this former cotton mill (dating from 1785) was reborn as a distillery in 1966. Today, it stands out for its self-sufficient hydro-electric scheme, powered by the river.
đ Hydro-Powered Innovation
Two modern turbinesâhoused within the original mill infrastructureâgenerate around 400âŻkW, producing four times more electricity than the distillery needs. Impressively, the surplus power is exported to the National Grid, making Deanston one of Scotlandâs greenest whisky producers .
The distillery continues its eco-conscious legacyâhonoring the heritage of its enormous 19thâcentury waterwheels and powering both its distilling processes and local homes with renewable energy.
Quick stop for lunch.
đ° Stirling Castle â Stronghold of Scottish Kings
Perched atop Castle Hill, Stirling Castle commands the landscape between the Highlands and Lowlandsâa vital strategic and symbolic heart of Scotlandâs history. This grand fortress was once the childhood home of Mary, Queen of Scots, and the seat of many Stuart monarchs.
Just beyond the battlements, you can glimpse the towering National Wallace Monument in the distanceâan enduring tribute to William Wallace, hero of the Battle of Stirling Bridge (1297), where he defied English forces and ignited national pride.
Tucked behind Stirling Castleâs walls lies the Earlâs Garden, once a tranquil retreat for nobility. Legend holds that Earl of Douglas was lured here in 1452 by King James II, who accused him of treason. When Douglas refused to yield his alliances, the king stabbed him to death with his own hand, sparking further bloodshed in Scotlandâs turbulent history. What was once a place of leisure became the scene of royal betrayal.
Later, nearby Bannockburn (1314) saw King Robert the Bruce lead Scotland to one of its most significant victories against England, securing his legacy as Scotlandâs warrior king. From the castle walls, the land he fought for stretches wideârich with memory and meaning.
