Extra car park plan for visitors to Doune
Doune could be getting a new car park in a bid to help the community cope with the socalled ‘Outlander effect’.
Design consultants Boyd Brothers Ltd have submitted an application to Stirling Council planners to create the car park at the former Stirling Council depot in the village.
As well as at least 34 car parking spaces, the project also features two disabled bays, four EV charging points, 12 bicycle spaces, four motorhome spaces and a minimum of 16 motorbike spaces.
The area has seen a surge in tourism activity after Doune Castle was used in the filming of cult TV series Outlander.
While the village has continued to welcome visitors, there has been a knock on effect for parking and congestion.
Boyd Brothers produced a design and access statement on behalf of Stirling Council for the repurposing of the derelict depot site on the outskirts of Doune as a public car/bicycle park.
In that they said: “The community have identified increased parking and vehicular flow form visitors to Doune Castle as an issue. The proposal addresses this by providing an overflow car park which when in use should increase footfall for local businesses, from visitors using the car park and walking through the town to the castle, whilst reducing through town vehicular journeys.
“The site has been future proofed by providing four electric vehicle charging bays and four motorhome bays, given the focus on tourism.
“It is predominantly owned by Stirling Council, with the surrounding land owned by the Moray Estate. The purpose of the design is to address the increased traffic and associated parking by visitors to Doune Castle and the town centre which has increased significantly in recent years.”
Data provided by Historic Environment Scotland (HES) showed that in 2013/14 there were approximately 40,000 visitors to Doune. By 2019/20 this had grown to 150,000 visitors - a 300 per cent growth placing a significant strain on the limited parking availability.
In 2019 the council began the process of consulting with the community regarding a Community Parking Management Plan (CPMP).
The statement added: “It was clear from parking data collected, qualitative responses gathered during consultation and from the CPMP Steering Group that the lack of available parking to serve the community was an issue.
“Furthermore, the community and local elected members had long considered the Green Shed as a potential solution to parking issues in the village. The depot building was demolished in 2020 and work to progress designs were taken forward in discussion with the CPMP Steering Group.
“A footpath connects the site to the town and castle therefore the site lends itself well to the proposed car park. There is currently no street lighting on the site itself, therefore lighting will be required.’’
The purpose is to address the increased traffic and parking Boyd Brothers