Earlier Houses: There were a number of earlier buildings on the site of the current castle, including a Roman fort.

House & Family History: After the 1425 execution of Murdoch Stewart, Duke of Albany, Doune Castle passed into ownership of the Scottish Crown, who used it as a hunting lodge and dower house for Scottish queens. Mary, Queen of Scots, stayed at Doune a number of times; her son, James I and VI, visited Doune Castle in the late 16th century. Doune was occupied by Bonnie Prince Charlie and his Jacobite Highlanders during the 1745 Rising. In 1984 the 20th Earl of Moray donated Doune Castle to the government.

Comments: Doune is considered the best-preserved Medieval castle in Europe.

House Listed: Scheduled Ancient Monument

Park Listed: Listed as a Garden & Designed Landscape

Past Seat / Home of: Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany, until 1420; Murdoch Stewart, Duke of Albany, 1420-25. George Philip Stuart, 14th Earl of Moray, until 1895; Edmund Archibald Stuart, 15th Earl of Moray, 1895-1901; Francis James Stuart, 16th Earl of Moray, 1901-09; Morton Gray Stuart, 17th Earl of Moray, 1909-30; Francis Douglas Stuart, 18th Earl of Moray, 1930-43; Archibald John Morton Stuart, 19th Earl of Moray, 1943-74; Douglas John Moray Stuart, 20th Earl of Moray, 1974-84.

Current Ownership Type: Historic Environment Scotland

Primary Current Ownership Use: Visitor Attraction

House Open to Public: Yes

Phone: 01786-841-742

Website: https://www.historicenvironment.scot

Historic Houses Member: No