Doune, Castle, Retainers' Hall 1899

Photo ref: 44649

My grandfather who was a retired Glasgow policeman purchased a house called "Kibi" in Balkurach Street in the 1930s. I was evacuated to Doune in 1940 and stayed there most of the war years. My aunts Grace McPherson and Babs McDonald ran the grocery shop on Balkurach Street up until the early 1950s. I have no idea why the house was called "Kibi" which appears to be an Indian name and I would be most ...see more

I have been researching my great-grandfather. I found out that he was born at The Porters Lodge, Doune in 1848. His name was John Bilton and his father, Thomas Bilton, was a gamekeeper on the Doune Estate. My great-grandfather changed his name as a teenager to John Bilton Duncan. He had several brothers and sisters, all born in Doune. I wonder if the Biltons are buried in Doune and if there are any descendants ...see more

My parents were 'in service' to the local 'laird' who was Lord Doune, traditionally the eldest son of the Earl of Moray and owner of lands around Doune. Lord Doune owned the beautiful old mansion on the hill 1.5 miles north of Doune on the Callander road. My mother was the cook and my father the chauffeur and I sort of 'helped' here and there while I spent most of my time having adventures on the estate ...see more

I lived in Surrey but used to travel to Doune to visit Margaret & George Paterson who owned Watston Farm in Doune. Living in a city I loved going up to the farm for holidays and had my last visit to them in 1973 when I came over from Australia with my husband, son and daughter (where I moved to in 1963). I am visiting Scotland again in September 08 and look forward to revisiting Doune, Kippen and Stirling where I have happy memories of great holidays. Bette Schoots (nee Miller).