About Scotland

Self Catering rental accommodation (sleeps up to 16)
and weddings in a Scottish Castle Tower
near Stirling and Bannockburn.
(For the Manor House see Plane Castle Manor House)

Plane Castle Tower and Manor near Stirling Scotland Plane Castle Tower and Manor near Stirling Scotland Guard's Cottage, Manor and Tower

Plane Castle,
near Stirling,
Central Scotland

The Tower

Plane Castle, the baronial house of the Sommervilles, Lords of Plane from 1428 to 1643, is located 6 miles south of Stirling, on the edge of the Bannockburn battlefield. Both Plane Tower (c. 1430, to the right in the photograph) and the Manor House (c. 1528, to the left) have recently been sympathetically restored while introducing the facilities and comforts of modern living. (A brief history of the castle is on the Plane Castle Manor House page).

Plane Tower is offered for self-catering accommodation sleeping 4 to 8 people. The adjacent Manor House with 4 double bedrooms is available for self catering either separately or together with the Tower, and the two are connected by a walkway (see photograph in the Tariff section below).

Weddings (including the service) can be arranged in these baronial settings, for those staying in the castle. (Please note that the castle is not available for hire as a wedding or function location unless the accomodation is rented too.)

Castles, battlefields, and Archaeological Dowsing. Guided outings to selected castles, battlefields, and an introduction/instruction in Archaeological Dowsing of Roman and Medieval sites.

The Grounds cover 3 to 4 acres, and include rose gardens, shruberies, orchards, walks, a band-stand/pavilion, a hobbit-cave, a hide, a play-house, sculptures, fossils, rocks and cliffs, and a large pond with a rowing boat, and is the home for families of geese, ducks, doves, rabbits, and a roost of peacocks on the balcony. Warning! The children may enjoy the play opportunities so much that they may be reluctant to go on outings.

Accommodation:

Stone stairs

Ground and first floor:

Inside, the first floor is reached by a spiral staircase (left) (Note: It may not be suitable for the infirm).

The Great Hall (right) is dominated by a large mediaeval fireplace with carved stonework, while the roof beams and ceiling are painted in the traditional manner.

The refectory table and benches accommodate eight or more guests. The window alcoves, with their stone seats, have been used for 650 years.

Hall

Bedroom Accommodation:

Twin bedroom

Second floor:

(Left and right) Twin Bedroom, Double Bedroom and Bathroom/Shower.

Further sleeping accommodation can be had on the top floor; The Edwardian Crown Room is furnished as a sitting room with a pantry. It has in addition a double and two single futons to sleep an extra four guests.

Double bedroom

The top floor and battlements:

On the top floor, the Edwardian Crown Room (right), added in 1908 onto the original wall walk and battlements, has 21 windows giving observation into seven counties and views to the East to the Forth bridges, to the West to Ben Lomond and to the North into the Highland hills.

A woodburning stove augments the oil fired central heating.

It is possible to sleep a further four guests (one double and two single fold-out Futons) in this room which can be divided by a heavy room hanging.

Drawing room

From the Castle Battlements you can see to the Ochil Hills and the beginning of the Highlands.

In other directions you can see the site of the battle of Banockburn, and the Forth bridge near Edinburgh.

View of the Ochils from the roof

Kitchen:

On the ground floor:

A fully equipped Kitchen with:

  • fridge/freezer
  • washing machine
  • dishwasher
  • microwave.

There's also an extra WC and wash hand basin.

Kitchen

Tariff 2009:

Payment Details, Cancellation Policy and 'Good Housekeeping' Deposit:

A deposit of 25% is required to secure a booking. (Sorry, credit cards not accepted). On cancellation this will only be refunded if the week(s) is (are) re-let. The balance is due 8 weeks before arrival. John Patrick-Wright strongly recommends that you take out a Cancellation Policy with a company recommended by your your holiday insurers.

On your arrival a further 'Good Housekeeping' deposit of £250 will be required (cheque or cash.) If you leave the place as you find it, on time, with no damage or breakages the whole amount will be refunded. Any repairs or additional cleaning will deducted from the refund.

The Walkway between the Tower and Manor House

Raja standing below the wooden walkway which connects the Tower (left) with the Manor House (right).

Plane Castle Tower (sleeping 4)

  Main Mid Low
7 nights, Friday to Friday £1600 £1400 £1100
5 nights, Thursday to Tuesday -- £1100 £800
4 nights Monday to Friday -- £900 £700
3 nights Friday to Monday -- £900 £700

plus each additional person £15.

Seasons

Main season: June 13 - Sept 19, and Dec 22 - Jan 5
Mid season: March 21 - June 13, and Sept 19 - Oct 24
Low season: Jan 4 - Mar 21, and Oct 24 - Dec 22

Parties booking both the Manor and the Tower together may
be offered a discount.

Weddings, etc.

Alex and Katy

Weddings, celebrations, dinners and ceilidhs can be arranged with seated banquets in the Manor House for up to 30 people, or buffets for up to 40 for guests resident in the Manor, or up to 12 for those renting the Tower alone.

All arrangements, including musicians, can be made.

See: Plane Castle Weddings

  • A cot/crib and a highchair are available.
  • Pets on the ground floor only please.
  • The castle is very old and is in the country and though every effort is made to exclude wildlife (field mice, spiders, etc) they sometimes take refuge in the property.
  • Pay-phone is available in the Guards cottage, and a credit, Mobile phone is available to rent and to use during your stay.
  • The owners try to recycle waste, and would appreciate it if guests would separate glass, cans, and crushables, and give any food left-overs to the waterfowl or peacocks.
  • Please note Plane Castle is totally non-smoking! Due to fire risk and a concern for the furnishings, guests are not permitted to smoke within the building. This is a strict part of the letting contract: if any of your guests smoke inside the whole group will be required to leave, and there will be no refund.

For self-catering rental in Plane Castle Manor House,
see Plane Castle Manor House

Out-door facilities.

As well as the ducks, geese, poultry, the gardens now contain; orchard, pond, meditation garden, well and "hobbit house", croquet set, and the use of some bikes.
"Please check that your holiday insurance covers you for the use of these facilities, as we cannot accept any responsibility for your enjoyment of our private garden."

To enquire or to book:

Enquiry form:

Please use this form to send an email message to Nancy and John Patrick Wright to check availablity or make a general enquiry.

Your name:

Email address:*

*Please double check this is correct! 		Address, or, at least your country:

Telephone:
Which are you interested in..? The Tower The Manor House Either Both
Date of arrival:

Date of departure:

Number in party:

 Any comments or messages?


This email constitutes an enquiry only.
Geese on the pond in the garden

Please tell Nancy and John you found the Tower through About Scotland!

For more information about Plane Castle see www.planecastle.co.uk

Please note there are no printed brochures available.

Please contact:
Nancy and John Patrick Wright,

Better to use Enquiry Form above please!
Plane Castle,
By Airth,
Stirlingshire, FK2 8SF
Scotland, UK
Tel/Fax: 01786 480 840
or, from outside the UK:
Tel/Fax: 44 1786 480 840

For self-catering rental in Plane Castle Manor House,
see Plane Castle Manor House

Map of the area:

Map of central Scotland