Monty Python back at Doune Castle – but without the killer rabbits

Published on Tuesday 28 April 2009 22:59

DOUNE Castle has been a place of pilgrimage for fans of killer rabbits and knights bearing coconut shells since it was used for the filming of Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

And now a member of the Python team who stormed its ramparts has made a permanent return to the 14th-century building near Stirling, once occupied by Bonnie Prince Charlie.

Terry Jones, who starred in and co-directed the 1975 film, is the voice of a new audio guide introduced this week by Historic Scotland, which owns the landmark.

Jones, who has presented a number of documentaries on subjects including Roman and Medieval life, said: "I have very fond memories of Doune Castle, it's a fascinating place and the setting is absolutely spectacular. It's lovely to be involved with the castle again and to have the chance to introduce visitors to its history.

"The audio guide is designed to give people a real sense of the castle's social history – what it was actually like to live there in the Middle Ages."

The guide opens with Jones telling visitors: "Welcome to Doune Castle. I'm Terry Jones, and in 1974 some friends and myself made a very silly film here called Monty Python and the Holy Grail."

Among the historical descriptions, it includes optional clips from the film, including where King Arthur (Graham Chapman) and Patsy (Terry Gilliam) approach the east wall of the castle and argue with soldiers of the garrison.

The song and dance routine at "Camelot" was filmed in Doune's Great Hall and the servery and kitchen appear as "Castle Anthrax", where Sir Galahad the Chaste (Michael Palin) is chased by seductive women. The wedding disrupted by Sir Lancelot (John Cleese) was filmed in the courtyard and Great Hall.

Jennifer Webster, Historic Scotland's interpretation officer, said: "We were really delighted when Terry Jones agreed to take part. His links to the castle through Monty Python and the Holy Grail and all the work he has done to popularise history on TV made him absolutely ideal."

By 1800 the castle was ruined, but it was restored and taken into state care in the 20th century.