The Trossachs, Scotland - Doune Callander .Strathyre . Balquhidder . Killin . Doune . Stirling . Brig o' Turk . Trossachs Pier . Aberfoyle . Stronachlachar . Lochearnhead The Queen Elizabeth Forest Park . Walking . Hill walking . Cycling

About Doune - 8 miles south of the Trossachs

Doune is a sleepy little Perthshire village just off the A84 trunk road between Callander and Stirling and beside the river Teith.

Whilst the town itself has one ot two interesting corners, Doune Castle, dating from the 14th century is the thing which draws most visitors to the village. The Castle is an impressive partly restored ruin perched on a mound overlooking the river. It was last used as a garrison for government troops during the 1745 Jacobite rising but has been used as a location for many films over the years.

As you cross the bridge over the river Teith at Doune, little attention is paid to the bridge itself - your attention tends to be drawn to the view of the castle downstream from the bridge. There is a story to this particular bridge - the king's tailor arrived at the bridge without money for the ferryman and was therefor unable to cross. As revenge on the ferryman he built the bridge to put the ferryman out of a job!

Doune was once famous for the manufacture of Scottish pistols, the trade having been introduced in by Robert Caddell in the 17th century.

At Deanston, an outlying hamlet close to Doune, there is a watercourse - a lade - which once supplied power to a large cotton mill which provided employment for around 1000m workers - some of the cottages once occupied by the weavers still exist closeby. The spinning and weaving business has now gone but the building has been put to good use as a distillery - Deanston \Distillery.

In the mid 19th century the railway arrived from Dunblane on its way to Callander and the north but was finally closed by the Beeching Axe in the early 60s.

Things to do and see

• Visit the castle
• Cross the old bridge and de-cipher the carved stone plaque at the centre
• Visit Doune Ponds - a wildlife sanctuary
• See the red kite feeding and viewing centre at Argaty - on a side road north of the Doune - Dunblane road.

Exploring the Trossachs

Places nearby to visit from Doune include: Callander, Dunblane, and Stirling