Something I omitted from the preceding post about Castle Doune is the unique view from the walls. Gazing out from the battlements, one is presented with an epic panorama of verdant Scottish countryside - and, of course, the occasional band of knights in search of the Holy Grail.
Wait, what? That's right - not only is Doune Castle historically noteworthy for its reconstruction by Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany and Regent of Scotland; for its ownership by the Earls of Moray; and for its representative 14th century architecture, but it was also one of the primary locations used in exterior and interior shots for perhaps the only historical fantasy/parody/comedy film in captivity*, Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
Interestingly, Doune was not one of the original shooting locations for the 1975 movie, but shortly before production began the Pythons received a letter from the Scottish Department of the Environment, responsible for historical monuments at that time, informing them that they would not be allowed to use any of the castles to which they had requested access. Apparently there was some concern that the locations would be used in a fashion "inconsistent with the dignity of the fabric of the buildings", and as a result the crew was forced to rely on privately owned structures such as Castle Doune.**
Inconsistent with the dignity of the fabric? On the contrary - it is a proud and humbling moment to stand in the room where Zoot's twin sister Dingo announced that there would be oral sex after the spanking, to walk the floors upon which the knights of Camelot sang about spam (a lot), or to climb the stairs that Sir Lancelot climbed in his furious and bloody quest to save the captive princess - er, prince.
Regardless of the opinions of the Scottish government in the 1970s, I guarantee that far more people have been to visit Castle Doune as as a result of its association with The Holy Grail than would have otherwise have chosen it as a vacation stop - present company included. There's even a set of coconut shells available in the ticket shop, for those members of the faithful who have made the pilgrimage to Doune solely in order to be able to trot back and forth in front of the castle while a faithful minion clatters the shells together.
My minion and I didn't enjoy that particular experience, but I will admit that it was difficult to look over the edge of the parapets without briefly thinking of bad French accents, hamsters and the smell of elderberries - not to mention giant wooden rabbits.
- Sid
* Anyone who wants to add Your Highness to the list can just leave now.
** The castle is now under the stewardship of Historic Scotland, the successor to the Department of the Environment.
** The castle is now under the stewardship of Historic Scotland, the successor to the Department of the Environment.
I am glad you made it there! One must not underestimate the value of a pilgrimage, be it religious or quasi-religious!
ReplyDeleteChris
I think that in this case it's fair to say that we're looking at "quasi".
ReplyDelete- Sid
Quasi indeed.
ReplyDeleteI'm a great fan of the pilgrimage, particularly as it pertains to photography. It's a thing that keeps you focussed (what, boff us?), moving forward toward a destination.
I've done the Jack Daniels pilgrimage (with you too, Sid) with blisters on my feet (it seemed somehow appropriate). I've quested carousels for the last couple of years which is literally and figuratively a multi-headed undertaking, and now I've quested with my friend the castles of Scotland.
Yes, it may be quasi-religious in a way. There are engendered feelings of impermanency, a sense of the great weight of years that are surrounding you, and indeed awe caused by the sheer scale of the undertakings. It all has a humanizing effect and made me feel almost human, quasi-modo.
Cloin the Campbell