Scotland - Doune Castle

Doune Castle was the very first castle we visited and our first hair raising experience driving on the left without our guide Val to follow.

Doune is known to Monty Python fans as the castle used in the 1975 movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

This is what Lonely Planet's guide for Scotland says:

" ...one of the best-preserved medieval fortresses in Scotland, having remained largely unchanged since it was built for the Duke of Albany in the 14th century."

It goes on to say: " The castle was a favorite hunting lodge, but was also of great strategic importance because it controlled the route between the Lowlands and the Highlands ... the loft gatehouse is very impressive, rising nearly 30m."

Here are the outer walls.

The inside has been used recently for scenes for the show Outlander.

That arched recess is a fireplace.

Winding staircases galore.

The cathedral like Great Hall.

Dark winding staircases!

The Dukes private chambers if I remember correctly.

This was our first experience using the GPS or satnav in the rental car.  We put in the postal code for Doune Castle and when we got close we followed the signs where to turn.  The satnav was upset and told us to turnaround when it was obvious that the entry to the castle was ahead.  This only happened a couple of times thankfully.

Scotland - Some Good Eats

Some tea savories and sweets from Another Tilly's Tea Room in Dunblane.

We ended up taking some of it back to our flat.

Our first dinner was at Juniper Restaurant across from the Dunblane Cathedral.  We were still on east coast time so came for dinner at 4:30.  They were gracious enough to let us order the special for a Wednesday night: 2 steaks and 2 glasses of wine.  We ate here one other night but no photo to share.

Here is the dessert we shared - an apple crumble

Driving north to Inverness a halfway point for lunch was this nice cafe.

Inverness fish and chip shop.

Another lunch in Forfar at the Angus Kitchen (may not be the right name), we had lentil soup and

this lovely plate of food.  We had been looking for a butcher that the guide book recommended for bridies (pronounced bradys) but it was closed for the school holiday week.

Another fish and chip lunch or dinner but I don't remember where.

One night we went to Stirling for dinner to Birds & Bees.

We happened upon this pub for lunch one day.

Order at the counter.

We shared chicken caesar salad and chicken pot pie.

Our favorite butcher in Dunblane for meat pies.

Here's the other butcher in town.  It wasn't until I was back home and looking at this photo closely that I realized they didn't make the same pies so we never tasted the Scotch pie, pork pie or cornish pasty.

If you are in Dunblane, check out The Riverside.  We ate there twice and it was delicious.  Reservations encouraged because it is a popular spot.  Sorry no photos.