Doune Castle: Outlander's Leoch and Lallybroch, Monty Python and the Holy Grail Film Location

 

Just 7 miles from the estate this 14th century courtyard castle, with a striking 100ft high gatehouse has one of the best preserved great halls in Scotland. The formidable Doune Castle was built for the Regent Albany. The striking keep-gatehouse combines domestic quarters including the splendid Lord's Hall with its carved oak screen, musicians' gallery and double fireplace. This was used as a film location for the BBC production of Ivanhoe and Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Doune Castle was also used for the castle known as Winterfell in the pilot of the award winning TV series Game of Thrones as well as Castle Leoch in Outlander, home to Colum MacKenzie and his clan in the 18th century episodes. It also features in the 20th century episode where Claire and Frank visit the castle in ruins on a day trip. 30 miles from Doune past Linlithgow is Midhope Castle or Outlander fans will know this as Lallybroch, Jamie Frasers home.  This would make a fanstastic day trip but as with everything in a rural location, a car is essential.

 

Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park

 

6.9 miles away is one of Scotland's top attractions for an incredible family day out.   There are over 350 rare and exotic animals at Blair Drummond Safari Park.  You can drive your own car through the animal reserves and get up close to zebras, camels, rhinos, deer, antelopes and a pride of lions.  Keep an eye out for the troop of monkeys in the Safari Park's famous Macaque Drive-Thru.  Don’t forget to close your windows! Blair Drummond Safari Park has received a Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor.

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Callander - Gateway to the Highlands

 

4.5 miles away Callander is a bustling tourist town situated on the River Teith, and is often described as the gateway to the Highlands. Driving from the estate to Callander is breathtaking with Ben Ledi in the foreground. This pretty little town lies immediately south of the Highland Boundary Fault which is historically a meeting point between the Highlands and the Lowlands.  It is set dramatically beneath high, wooded crags, the colourful town is crammed with teashops and souvenir shops. Callander gained fame as the location for the original Doctor Findlay's Casebook television series.

 

There are a number of popular walks in the area for visitors to explore. The beautiful Bracklinn Falls and the River Keltie have mesmerised people for generations, to the west footpaths and cycle tracks follow the old Callander to Oban railway, and from the summit of Callander Crags there are spectacular sweeping views over the town of Callander and beyond to Stirling and the Forth Estuary.

 

 

Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park

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A fabulous attraction where you will find sparkling lochs, crumpled hills, sleepy forests and welcoming villages east of Loch Lomond and west of Stirling. You might hear it called 'The Highlands in miniature' and that's a good description. Sir Walter Scott later visited the area's wild little glens and was so enthralled that he wrote his epic poem The Lady of the Lake (1810) about a girl who lived here. This work was a phenomenon and became the first international bestseller. The Trossachs became a haven for those seeking romantic beauty with Wordsworth, Coleridge and many famous artists also visiting the area. 

 

The Steamship ‘Sir Walter Scott’ is a world famous vessel that has captivated visitors across Loch Katrine, within the National Park, for almost a century, bringing adventure, relaxation and history all in one unforgettable experience.

 

The park is also home to 21 Munros, 19 Corbetts and 22 large lochs. At the heart of the park is Loch Lomond itself. You won't find a bigger loch or lake in the whole of Britain and you'll have a hard time finding a more beautiful one too. Ben Ledi is the backdrop to the Lodge and the Bothy, quite stunning particularly when the snow has fallen.

 

You can take a cruise on the waters and admire the mighty bulk of Ben Lomond, Scotland's most southerly Munro, as well as the jagged shoulders of the Arrochar Alps. You could maybe even visit one of the loch's 30 islands. 

 

At the southern end of the water is Loch Lomond Shores, surely one of the most beautifully situated shopping destinations in Britain. You can browse famous Scottish brands, and pick up some fine local fare to take back to the Estate. Stop for a drink and decide what to do next as there's much more to the National Park than the loch! 

 

If you agree that there is nothing more pleasant than an afternoon on the water in a boat (or perhaps a kayak, canoe, jetski, cruiser, or even wind surfing) then Loch Lomond is the place for you. Every kind of watercraft and waterlover can be seen cruising about the waters. Keen anglers are in luck - there's plenty going on below the surface as well, as any fisherman will tell you. Muir Estate will be waiting for you when you return, ready for your to relax in front of the fire, reminiscing about your eventful and surely memorable day.

 

 

Lake of Menteith 

 

Famous as being Scotland’s only lake, rather than loch, the Lake of Menteith is discovered in the Carse of Stirling, close to the city. Strangely, and for no known reason, the small lake was called the Loch of Mentieth until the 19th century. There are several small islands in the Lake of Menteith and the largest, Inchmahome, is home to an ancient priory, which was historically visited by Robert the Bruce and acted as a refuge for Mary Queen of Scots.

 

The island is also acclaimed for its wildlife, including three Spanish chestnuts, which are listed in among Scotland’s top 100 trees. Access to the island is by boat between March and September.

The Lake of Menteith is also popular with anglers, fishing for rainbow and brown trout. Only fly fishing from a boat is permitted. The fish attract another visitor, the beautiful osprey. It is also where you will find the TV Chef Nick Nairn's cook school.

 

 

Nick Nairn Cook School

 

This is for the real foodie! Just 9 miles away from Muir Estate you can have a fabulous day at Nick Nairn’s award winning cook school which offers the very best in tuition, produce, facilities and location. The Cook School has transformed into a foodie utopia, hosting unique dining experiences, foodie festivals, events, gourmet pizza pop-ups, weddings, concerts and more.

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Flanders Moss Nature Reserve (NNR)

 

These watery lands of the ancients are a vast expanse of all things damp and wonderful. As one of the largest remaining intact raised bogs in Britain, Flanders Moss is a wild and ancient landscape. It has hardly changed for thousands of years. The surface of the moss is a mosaic of sphagnum mosses and other specialist plants and animals adapted to a land that is mostly water. You can hear the blast of birdsong in spring, see basking lizards in summer or watch the geese arrive in winter. Flanders Moss is worth a visit at any time of year.

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Battle of Bannockburn and Robert the Bruce

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Located near the historic city of Stirling and in the vicinity of the battleground, the visitor centre, cared for by the National Trust for Scotland, expertly harnesses fully-immersive 3D technology to bring this thrilling chapter of Scotland’s story to life. Cared for by the National Trust for Scotland. Prepare for battle at our multi-award-winning visitor centre. The Battle of Bannockburn experience puts you at the heart of the action with cutting-edge 3D technology. There are lots of commemorative monuments, including the iconic statue of Robert the Bruce.

 

 

City of Stirling, Stirling Castle and Wallace Monument

 

Stirling is a short drive from the estate, about 15 minutes. It’s a wee city with a big history, and punches well above its weight for historic attractions and spectacular scenery, not to mention shopping, places to eat and exciting events. There are lots of friendly pubs, cosy cafés and buzzing restaurants. At the local farmers' markets you can speak to local producers and pick up some tasty treats, or browse independent boutiques in the historic surroundings of the Old Town and the Victorian Stirling Arcade.

 

 

Stirling Castle is one of Scotland's most historically important sites and was once a favoured residence of the Stewart kings and queens who held grand celebrations at the castle. It has magnificent views from the hill-top esplanade towards the National Wallace Monument on the edge of the rolling Ochil Hills before looking north east for the mountain peaks of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

 

 

These are just a handful of places to go and see. 

Go to https://www.visitscotland.com for more information.