Visitors are being invited to celebrate 50 years of Monty Python and the Holy Grail with exclusive screenings at Doune Castle in Scotland from Friday 22 to Sunday 24 August.
The cult classic comedy, released in 1975, was filmed extensively at the medieval fortress. Doune Castle doubled as several locations in the film, most memorably Castle Anthrax, as well as Camelot and Swamp Castle.
“Monty Python and the Holy Grail is an iconic film which has been loved by audiences for 50 years,” says Gillian Urquhart, Events Manager at Historic Environment Scotland. “To celebrate the anniversary of its release, we’re delighted to host showings of the film in the historic Doune Castle which served as the backdrop to a number of filming locations.”
The screenings will take place in the castle’s Great Hall from 7.30pm to 9.30pm across all three nights. The event is family-friendly, with the film rated PG.
A Comedy Classic
First released in 1975, Monty Python and the Holy Grail was written and performed by the Monty Python comedy troupe—Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin. The film is a satirical retelling of the Arthurian legends, following King Arthur and his knights as they search for the Holy Grail. It became a box office success in Britain and the United States, establishing itself as one of the greatest comedy films of all time. Many of its lines and scenes have entered popular culture, from the “Knights Who Say Ni” to the debate over whether a swallow can carry a coconut.
Doune Castle on Screen
Doune Castle, located in Stirlingshire, has long been a popular filming location thanks to its well-preserved medieval architecture. Beyond Monty Python, it has appeared in productions such as Game of Thrones (as Winterfell in the pilot episode) and Outlander (as Castle Leoch). Built in the late 14th century by Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany, Doune Castle features an impressive gatehouse, great hall, and high stone walls that have made it both a defensive stronghold and a cinematic favourite.
Celebrating 50 Years of Python
The anniversary screenings are part of wider celebrations marking the enduring legacy of Monty Python’s comedy. Fans continue to gather at conventions, stage reenactments, and quote the film nearly half a century after its debut. For many, watching the film at Doune Castle offers a unique opportunity to experience the humour in the very setting where the absurd adventures of King Arthur were brought to life.
Visitors are being invited to celebrate 50 years of Monty Python and the Holy Grail with exclusive screenings at Doune Castle in Scotland from Friday 22 to Sunday 24 August.
The cult classic comedy, released in 1975, was filmed extensively at the medieval fortress. Doune Castle doubled as several locations in the film, most memorably Castle Anthrax, as well as Camelot and Swamp Castle.
“Monty Python and the Holy Grail is an iconic film which has been loved by audiences for 50 years,” says Gillian Urquhart, Events Manager at Historic Environment Scotland. “To celebrate the anniversary of its release, we’re delighted to host showings of the film in the historic Doune Castle which served as the backdrop to a number of filming locations.”
The screenings will take place in the castle’s Great Hall from 7.30pm to 9.30pm across all three nights. The event is family-friendly, with the film rated PG.
A Comedy Classic
First released in 1975, Monty Python and the Holy Grail was written and performed by the Monty Python comedy troupe—Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin. The film is a satirical retelling of the Arthurian legends, following King Arthur and his knights as they search for the Holy Grail. It became a box office success in Britain and the United States, establishing itself as one of the greatest comedy films of all time. Many of its lines and scenes have entered popular culture, from the “Knights Who Say Ni” to the debate over whether a swallow can carry a coconut.
Doune Castle on Screen
Doune Castle, located in Stirlingshire, has long been a popular filming location thanks to its well-preserved medieval architecture. Beyond Monty Python, it has appeared in productions such as Game of Thrones (as Winterfell in the pilot episode) and Outlander (as Castle Leoch). Built in the late 14th century by Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany, Doune Castle features an impressive gatehouse, great hall, and high stone walls that have made it both a defensive stronghold and a cinematic favourite.
Celebrating 50 Years of Python
The anniversary screenings are part of wider celebrations marking the enduring legacy of Monty Python’s comedy. Fans continue to gather at conventions, stage reenactments, and quote the film nearly half a century after its debut. For many, watching the film at Doune Castle offers a unique opportunity to experience the humour in the very setting where the absurd adventures of King Arthur were brought to life.
Tickets for the Doune Castle screenings are available through Historic Environment Scotland’s official website.
Top Image: Doune Castle – photo by Scouse Smurf / Flickr
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