8 Things to do in Doune and Deanston
Doune is a historic village in Stirlingshire, nestled on the banks of the River Forth in the parish of Kilmadock. Surrounding villages include Blair Drummond, Argaty, Deanston, and Buchany.
Here are our 8 suggestions on how to spend your time in Doune and Kilmadock.
1. Enjoy Family Day Out
Families have a range of worldclass attractions to enjoy. Learn about the habitats and habits of wild animals, including dinosaurs at Blair Drummond Safari Park.
View this post on Instagram
Briarlands Farm offers the young and not so young go-carts, play areas, strawberry picking and friendly farm animals.
Take a picnic and immerse yourselves in the dramatic landscapes of Doune Ponds or go on a wild walk through the local forests and hills.
2. Have a Luxurious break
Stay overnight at the beautiful and luxurious Lanrick Estate. Visit the Scottish Antiques and Arts Centre to discover a unique item for your home, before heading to Deanston Distillery for a whisky tasting and stock up on those all-important gifts for friends and family.
Deanston Distillery
3. Experience the thrill of the raptors
Argaty Red Kites is a fantastic place to observe the magnificent red kites in a natural environment. You can also spot red squirrels from one of the woodland hides.
View this post on Instagram
Photos by Dorothy Thomson
4. Indulge in local food and drink
Deanston Distillery provides an insight into the manufacture of highland malt whisky and a wee dram to try.
Top on the artisan foodie list is MacLeans of Deanston. They are a specialist Artisan food supplier producing hand crafted delicacies made with love and care in the heart of Scotland.
If you are craving a pie, head to Trossachs Pie and Pastry Company, an award-winning local company which specialises in quality pies made in Scotland using quality Scottish produce.
Indulge in freshly made cakes, delicious food and great coffee at Buttercup Cafe or Simply Sarah’s.
L’Angolino will serve you a delicious mean inspired by Italian and Scottish cuisine. Blair Drummond Smiddy Farm Shop, Butchery and Café celebrates local, seasonal produce with a fantastic range of meats, vegetables, groceries and ready meals.
5. Discover the beauty in every season
Each season brings something new to see and do in Doune. The area is blooming with lovely flowers in spring, perfect for enjoying a walk in the woodlands full of daffodils and bluebells. In summer, Doune Gala crowns the season of blue skies and long walks. In autumn, get ready to indulge yourself in the food and drink offered by the local bars and cafes. In winter, the Deanston Winter Fest and Doune Christmas Fayre get everyone in the mood for Christmas.
Christmas 2019, photo by Ben Silcocks
6. Put yourself in the picture
Go on a historic tour at Doune Castle. Once upon a time this was a royal residence, a home to widowed queens and a Jacobite prison. Doune castle’s formidable presence has earned it appearances in Monty Python, Game of Thrones and most recently Outlander.
View this post on Instagram
Deanston Distillery was a former cotton mill dating back to the 1700s. It was featured in season two of Outlander as the docks of a French port.
7. Explore on foot
There are plenty of walks to choose from ranging from a couple of hours to a full day. The Commonty walk is a circular route around the northern edge of Doune with uphill sections. If you are visiting Doune Castle, don’t miss out on the scenic route following River Teith. Doune Ponds is popular with families, as it’s not only beautiful but it has many picnic spots. If you are looking for a longer and more challenging walk you can head out to Dunblane. Find details on all the routes on the Doune and Deanston community website.
Doune Ponds
8.Cycle
Bring a bike or buy one from Roots cycle and start exploring. A popular route is Doune Castle and Deanston Distillery to Dunblane (10 miles). This is a scenic off road trip which allows you to see all local attractions. You can also cycle the loop Doune, Dunblane and Callander (28 miles).
For more information to help you plan your visit head over to www.douneanddeanston.com
