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
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
7 hours ago
- Daily Record
Magnificent Scots railway station considered to be one of world's most beautiful
Built in the 19th century Wemyss Bay became home to what many call the world's most beautiful station In the 19th century, Scotland underwent a leisure revolution. With the arrival of the railways and improvements in workers' rights, many Scots found themselves with both the time and the means to explore their own country for the first time. It was during this golden era that some of the nation's favourite holiday spots were born, either emerging as new resorts or growing from existing coastal towns. For Glaswegians, one of the most popular pastimes was heading "doon the watter", a trip to the Ayrshire coast or the islands of the Firth of Clyde. Back then, the journey was traditionally made by steamer. But with the rise of the railway, travellers could reach the coast far quicker before hopping aboard a connecting boat to destinations like Rothesay on the Isle of Bute. The departure point for this journey was the now-iconic Wemyss Bay in what is today Inverclyde. Though still a relatively small village, Wemyss Bay is home to what many believe to be the most beautiful railway station in the world. The original building, constructed in 1865 by Irish labourers, was a plain, square structure. But in 1903, it was replaced by a breathtaking architectural gem that still stands proudly today. Designed by architect James Miller in the elegant Queen Anne style, the station is crowned with a 60-foot Italianate clock tower. Step inside and you'll find a concourse bathed in natural light through a magnificent glazed, steel-trussed roof. VisitScotland describes it as a 'wrought-iron and glass palace'. Sunshine floods the circular booking office, while a gracefully curved ramp leads passengers down to the pier and the ferry across to Bute. Despite being granted Category A listing by Historic Scotland, the station was neglected for many years. Fortunately, it has undergone a full restoration and now also features a charming bar and bookshop. It continues to dazzle visitors, with many taking to review sites to sing its praises. On TripAdvisor, the station holds a glowing 4.8 rating, higher even than Edinburgh Castle. One reviewer wrote: 'One of the hidden gems on the national network. The architecture of this quiet station is stunning. "Sweeping curves and canopies. Connects with trains to Glasgow and ferries to the isles. Add in the cafe and bookshop and it is worth a visit in itself.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Undiscovered Scotland goes even further, calling it 'the most beautiful railway station (and pier) in the world', noting: 'The station is beautiful not so much for its half-timbered mock Tudor exterior as for its glorious interior, which... is absolutely spellbinding.' Another visitor put it simply: 'This Grade A listed railway station is up there with the architectural best. It is a gorgeous example of Victorian engineering with a curved platform sweeping down to the ferry terminal. Don't miss the bookshop, café, bar or curved urinals.' The village of Wemyss Bay itself lies just to the north of the station, while Skelmorlie in North Ayrshire sits to the south. According to VisitScotland, Wemyss Bay boasts 'a selection of local shops and places to eat' and offers 'opportunities to go sailing in the bay'. For city dwellers looking to escape, it's less than 30 miles from the centre of Glasgow and takes just an hour by train, making it an easy trip to one of Scotland's most beautiful and underrated destinations.
Scotsman
13 hours ago
- Scotsman
Off-grid, but still online: £5 Billion Scottish Staycation boom boosted by O2's network upgrades
As millions of Brits head on a staycation this summer, O2 is ensuring that customers visiting many of Scotland's most remote holiday spots can stay connected. Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... With nearly half of Brits (48%) planning a domestic getaway, and one in three saying mobile coverage influences their destination, upgraded 4G and 5G coverage is helping travellers stay online. Connecting Scotland's wildest corners O2 has boosted 4G and 5G network capacity in more than 13,000 Scottish postcodes in the last 12 months, including some of the UK's most remote destinations. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Isle of Skye, Scotland The upgrades extend to popular tourist centres, with 782 upgraded postcodes in Edinburgh and major improvements in coverage across the Highlands. On top of this, O2 has recently installed small cells in Perth, as well as switching on its next-generation 5G standalone network in Stirling. O2 has recently brought reliable connectivity to many unique Scottish tourist destinations that previously had none. These include: · Corrour Station, the UK's highest and most remote railway stop, famously featured in Trainspotting · Barra Airport, the only airport in the world with a scheduled beach runway and tidal timetable Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Rebecca, a freelance illustrator based in London, is heading to Scotland this summer with family · Loch Ossian Eco Hostel and Glen Affric Hostel, reachable only by foot or bike The announcement comes as new research commissioned by O2 found 48% of Brits are planning a staycation in Scotland this summer. Amid the cost-of-living crisis, 41% are staying in the UK to save money, while 25% are opting for Scotland so their pets can join the adventure. Cultural influences also play a role, with 13% inspired by TV and films shot in Scotland – from Outlander to The Traitors and Trainspotting. Off-grid adventures, on-grid coverage The research also reveals that while many Brits are eager to get off the beaten track, they don't want to go entirely off-grid. 62% worry about getting lost without GPS, while over half (55%) fear not being able to find or contact their accommodation. Nearly half (48%) are concerned about locating nearby places to eat, drink or explore, and 43% say streaming music or podcasts is key to their holiday experience. For families, almost a third (31%) say reliable mobile signal is essential to keeping children entertained during travel. With the average Scottish 'staycationer' planning to spend an average of £721, and 28% of UK holidaymakers planning a trip north of the border, Scotland could see a tourism boost of more than £5 billion this summer alone. Thanks to improved 4G and 5G coverage across the country, even remote getaways are now better supported by strong, reliable mobile connectivity. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Dr Robert Joyce, Director of Mobile Access Engineering, at O2 said: 'Scotland has always been one of the most beautiful and remote destinations in the UK but now it's better connected than ever before. Thanks to O2's Mobile Transformation Plan, whether they're hiking the Highlands, flying into Barra, or visiting a rural island, visitors can stay connected when and where it matters most.' Rebecca, a freelance illustrator based in London, is heading to Scotland this summer, and said: 'As a nature-loving, free spirit living in London, I'm excited to be swapping city life for Scotland with my family this summer, seeking outdoors adventures and showing my son what independent travel looks like in the UK. We'll be escaping central London and taking a train up to Glasgow, exploring the Trossachs and then off to Oban to catch a ferry to Tiree. I'm looking for ultimate escapism: fishing, surfing and small island life – but with a 10-year-old and a packed itinerary, we'll definitely need some Netflix films and playlists on tap for some restful down time! My goal is to switch off but be able to plan ahead, so having connectivity on a trip like this is really important.' These upgrades are part of O2's Mobile Transformation Plan, which will see the operator invest approximately £700m this year to future-proof its mobile network. The plan is focused on expanding 4G and 5G coverage, a dedicated small cells rollout to boost capacity in dense urban areas, and innovative solutions to address persistent network pain points including along railway lines, at airports, on motorways, and in stadiums and arenas.
Daily Mail
15 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Outlander star Nell Hudson is married! Pregnant actress and producer husband have intimate lake-side wedding ceremony ahead of first child's arrival
Outlander star Nell Hudson has married her long-term partner in an intimate wedding ceremony as they prepare to welcome their first child together. The actress, 34, best known for playing Laoghaire MacKenzie in the hit historical drama series, took to Instagram on Friday to post a sweet photo of her and new husband Max King - brother of celebrity hair stylist Larry King. Nell wore a ruffled white gown with delicate tulle sleeves and a dramatic tiered A-line skirt. With one hand resting gently on her bump, the bride looks every inch the glowing mum-to-be. Her husband Max - a producer - stood proudly beside her in a classic black double-breasted suit and silver tie. She captioned the post: 'First little look at some wedding pics ❤️ what can I say that hasn't ever been said it really was the best day ever. More to come soon.' It comes just three months after Nell revealed that she and Max were planning a 'very tiny family-only wedding before the baby comes'. 'I feel so lucky that my future brother-in-law Larry King will be there and helping me on the day.' The couple announced their engagement in March last year while on a romantic getaway in Paris, with a photo of them smiling in front of the Eiffel Tower. Friday's post included credits for her glam team, with makeup by Devon Windsor (@devonmakeupgirl) and hair styled by her new brother-in-law - of course - using luxury clip-in extensions by Tatiana Karelina. Nell, who has also appeared in ITV's Victoria and Channel 4's The Irregulars, has been delighting fans with candid pregnancy updates since announcing her baby news last year. In one post, she joked about trying to squeeze into her favourite wardrobe pieces at five months pregnant, while another video offered a behind-the-scenes look at her bridal hair trial. Her Outlander co-stars, including Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe, have been among those sending warm wishes. Sam commented on her engagement post at the time, writing: 'Congrats you two!!' while Lauren Lyle and others flooded her latest wedding picture with heart emojis and congratulations. The wedding marks a joyful new chapter for Nell and Max as they prepare to welcome their first child together later this year. 'Beautiful! Congratulations!' wrote Downton Abbey star Joanna Frogatt. Romany Gilmour - daughter of Pink Floyd guitarist David - added: 'You're both completely gorgeous!' Nell, whose mother is the author Cressida Connolly - ex-wife of the late A.A. Gill - kept the tone light and full of heart in her announcement, calling celebrity hairdresser King her 'new BRO'.
