Rural Stirling 'Outlander' site also has plenty to offer for walkers and wildlife fans
A new recommended walk for visitors to Doune Castle has been published as part of Historic Environment Scotland's (HES) Historic Places, Breathing Spaces campaign.
The campaign is calling for people across the country to connect with heritage to help boost their wellbeing, after a recent HES survey found a majority of people (60 per cent) reported improved wellbeing because of visiting a HES site, and 74 per cent of people felt a sense of connection to the sites after visiting.
The new trail at Doune Castle, created by Suzee Gibson, Roving Steward with HES, focuses on places to pause, reflect and encourages visitors to enjoy the sights and sounds of the castle's natural setting.
While many recognise Doune Castle from its appearances in TV favourites like Game of Thrones, Outlander, and Monty Python and the Holy Grail, the grounds offer walks along the river, secluded spots for moments of calm, and an abundance of wildlife to see.
Visitors to the castle grounds can enjoy the circular walk, taking in the Ardoch Burn and the River Teith, as well as the historic icehouse and wildflower meadow. In summer, there is a chance to spot kingfishers, red squirrels and butterflies, while the blackthorn arched tunnel is often alive with firecrest birds.
For those with a little more time, Suzee recommends extending the walk by starting at Draggie Burn Park and Stride. This scenic route to the castle takes visitors past the Doune Ponds, home to ducks and swans, and the community-run woodland, where visitors can pause at the bird hides and picnic tables on their way to the castle.
Suzee said: 'Working at Doune Castle means I've been able to discover all these hidden places around the grounds, and this is a fantastic opportunity to get more people to explore what's on their doorstep – and recommend their favourite spots to others!
'Pausing on the wooden bridge and listening to the Ardoch burn bubbling below me always makes me feel grounded.
'Walking or spending time in this setting, whether you have 30 minutes or two hours, invites you to step away from the everyday, breathe deeply, and find a connection to the landscape, Scotland's heritage and yourself.'
Full details of the walk, as well as others around the country, are available at hes.scot/wellbeing. Visitors are encouraged to share their stories, videos and photographs from Historic Scotland sites to help build an online exhibition that illustrates the link between wellbeing and heritage sites, and how it supports the country's wider wellbeing agenda.
A video with a voiceover from Suzee to show highlights from the route at Doune is available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/wZP_8avLmgc?feature=shared
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