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The vision of one powerful man, the Duke of Albany, INVESTIGATING Doune Castle is an excellent place to investigate life in DOUNE CASTLE medieval Scotland. Information for Teachers investigating historic sites doune castle 2 The castle at Doune is well- of Rothesay. A noted ‘big spender’, preserved and exciting, situated in Albany’s kingly ambitions are embodied Timeline a commanding riverside position. in Doune Castle which is modelled c.1340 Birth of Robert The vision of one powerful man, closely on contemporary royal castles. Stewart, second son of the Duke of Albany, the castle is an Robert II Soon after Albany’s death in 1420, his excellent place to investigate life in son Murdoch fell out with the king, late 1300s Building of medieval Scotland. Doune Castle begins James I. James executed Murdoch and the castle became a royal residence, 1386 Stewart becomes Historical background maintained by a series of royal keepers, Governor of Scotland It is likely that there has been a fort of many of them related to the royal family 1398 Stewart created some kind on the site of Doune castle of Stewart. Doune became a popular Duke of Albany since early times. The name doune hunting lodge and summer residence. 1402 Death of Albany’s derives from the word ‘dun’, meaning nephew, heir to throne an ancient stronghold. The Romans Its defences were put to the test for the first time in 1567 following the forced 1420 Death of Albany, recognised the strategic importance age 80 of the site, situated on a promontory abdication of Mary Queen of Scots. The castle was besieged for three days 1424 Doune becomes formed by the meeting of the River Teith by Mary’s opponents and eventually Crown property; in use as and the Ardoch burn, and built a timber royal hunting lodge fort close by. the pro-Mary inmates surrendered, on the condition that the castle was not 1567 Castle besieged However, the castle we see today was destroyed. In the civil war years which following Mary Queen of constructed from around the end of the Scots’ abdication followed many political prisoners spent 14th century. It is unusual in Scotland time within Doune’s walls 1580 Doune visited by in that it is largely the vision and work James VI of one man, Robert Stewart, Duke of Doune last saw active use during 1746 Prisoners kept at Albany. The son of Robert II and the the Jacobite rising of 1745, when a Doune by Jacobites brother of the sickly Robert III, Albany number of government soldiers were 1800s Castle becomes is a key figure in 15th-century Scotland. imprisoned here by the Jacobites ruinous King in everything but name, Albany after the battle of Falkirk. Six escaped by knotting bedsheets and lowering 1883 Repairs and ruled as governor of Scotland in place of restoration work carried his ailing brother and was at the heart of themselves down the walls above the out by Earl of Moray Scottish politics for around 50 years. kitchen. 1970 Castle leased to Albany is a colourful and controversial The castle gradually fell out of use. In state; now cared for by figure. He presided over events 1883 it was inspected, repaired and Historic Scotland as diverse as the establishment of substantially restored by the Earl of Scotland’s first university at St Andrew’s Moray. It was leased to the state in and the dubious death of the heir 1970 and is now cared for by Historic to the throne, his nephew the Duke Scotland. HISTORIC SCOTLAND education doune castle 3 Supporting learning and teaching A visit to Doune Castle is Before the visit Working on site particularly appropriate for teachers working on class study • It is helpful if pupils are familiar When exploring the castle, in addition topics such as: with some of the architectural to our suggestions for discussion, terminology of castles as this makes pupils should be encouraged to look • The Middle Ages discussion on site easier. Words critically at what they see and to make • Castles particularly relevant to Doune might and test theories based on physical • The Stewarts include: courtyard, firebasket, evidence. Some general starting points yett, spiral stair chamber, latrine, could include: There are also links with battlements, dais. Pupils could Mary Queen of Scots and the • What materials were used to build produce an illustrated class Jacobites. the castle? Why were these materials dictionary to explain these and chosen? Are they any materials The Curriculum for Excellence other terms. aspires to motivate and which might have rotted away or challenge pupils through a • Without going into too much detail, been stolen since then? it is worth discussing the early wide range of varied learning • Do you think this room has always years of the Stewart dynasty and experiences. Site visits have a looked like this? Can you see particular role to play in joining the life and role of Robert Stewart, anywhere it has been altered? Why up learning outcomes across Duke of Albany. It helps if pupils might it have been changed? the curriculum. A visit, and use can understand his connection to of the supporting materials, will the kings of Scotland – his father, • What evidence is there for everyday help to: brother and nephew. life? • develop successful learners by • Help pupils gain a clearer grasp of Pupils can record evidence by taking challenging pupils to consider the time scale by making a time notes, sketching, taking photographs, how life has changed for line with them, counting back the recording impressions into a tape people. It will help them to recorder. think critically about evidence centuries and then marking on key and arrive at their own events in the history of the castle. On the Historic Scotland website: conclusions. This could be added to after the www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/ visit. • develop confident individuals. education_unit teachers can find Pupils wilI learn about aspects • Discuss the organisation of life in a additional resources to help with work of their community’s past, castle. Pupils could investigate the on site. These include compiling an develop an understanding roles of the key castle ‘managers’: Evidence Record and a My Impressions of social changes, establish steward, constable or keeper, Record. some of their own values and marshal and chaplain. Further Suggestions for follow-up work communicate their views on details of this can be found in different historical and social the Historic Scotland publication Following the visit pupils can pool their issues. Investigating Medieval Castles in findings in groups to create a fuller • develop responsible citizens. Scotland. record of the castle. This could form It will help to increase the basis for a range of presentation • There is plenty of good evidence pupils’ social and historical activites, for example: knowledge and understanding on site relating to defending and and encourage greater respect attacking castles. Discuss with pupils A guide book or leaflet for future for their own historic and built the range of ways that castles could visitors. environment. be attacked and defended. A slide show with commentary. • develop effective • Some children find it hard to grasp Imaginative writing based on the lives contributors by broadening that a castle was ever anything of the people who lived or worked at pupils’ knowledge and other than a ruin. Discuss how wind the castle – even a prisoner. understanding through and weather can affect the look investigative, creative and of a building as well as the many A series of drama sketches showing deliberate changes that people snapshots of life in the castle through choose to make to buildings as their the ages. use evolves. HISTORIC SCOTLAND education doune castle 4 Plan of Doune Castle On the trail of the Duke of Albany Our suggested tour route guides you and your pupils around the castle, in order to uncover as 9 much as possible about the Duke of Albany and how he lived. After the introduction, it doesn’t really matter 2 in which order you visit 1 the locations, so you may prefer to split your class into groups, each with an adult leader and start them at different points. After checking in with the steward, we suggest you visit these locations, marked on the plan to the right: 1. Outside the Castle 2. The Entrance 3. The Courtyard 4. The Kitchen 2 7 8 5. The Bedchamber 3 6. The Great Hall 6 7. The Duke’s Hall 4 8. The Duchess’s Hall 5 9. On the roof Ground floor First floor Second floor Background information is given in the pack for each locations. It is written in simple language so that it can be read aloud to pupils if desired. Also included are suggested questions for discussion. Allow about 45 minutes for the tour. HISTORIC SCOTLAND education doune castle 5 Tour notes: On the trail of the Did you know... King Robert II had Duke of Albany twenty-one children! Outside Doune Castle Setting the scene Background information for teachers. This can be read to pupils in advance. • Let’s go back in time more than 600 years. It’s round about the year 1400. At this time Doune castle was new. It was one of the most impressive castles in Scotland. • Inside the castle lived the Duke of Albany. His name was Robert Stewart. He was the brother of King Robert III. The king was often ill, so the Duke ruled instead of him, as Governor of Scotland. • Robert, Duke of Albany wanted to be the real king and his castle was built to be like a royal palace.

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