Self catering
Self Catering rental accommodation (sleeps up to 16)
and weddings in a Scottish Castle Manor House
near Stirling and Bannockburn.
(For the Tower see Plane Castle Tower)
Plane Castle,
near Stirling, Scotland
Manor House
Nancy and John Patrick Wright and their sons rescued Plane Castle from ruin during the 90's and made it their family home. They now live in the Guard House, and let out the Castle in two separate self catering rental accommodations, sleeping 8 in the Manor House and up to 8 in the Tower. (See Plane Castle Tower).
The vaulted ground floor of the Manor House, part of the castle, dates from around 1528. Plane Castle is surrounded by fields and newly planted trees and water gardens - with wildfowl and peacocks. It is ideal for exploring central Scotland. Stirling and Bannockburn are 10 minutes by car, and both the west and east coasts accessible in a day's outing.
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.
History of the Fortalice, Tower and Manor of the Plaine of Stirling
1314, Battle of Bannockburn: King Robert the Bruce granted the barony of Plane to John d'Erth.
1440's, Sir William d'Erth left the Baronies of Plane, Airth and Carnock to his three daughters.
1449, Lady Elizabeth married Thomas Somervell; they built the Tower.
1528, Thomas Somervell, 5th Lord of Plane, built the Manor House.
1643,
James Somervell, 8th Lord of Plane, fell into debt and sold the Castle and Barony. Plane became a farm and mill, the Tower and Manor ruined.
1746, While Bonnie Prince Charlie lay ill for 3 weeks in Bannockburn House 1.5 miles away, his Royal Guard was billeted at Plane Castle.
1908, Sir David Menzies restored the Tower.
1930's, Ruined again, until...
1991, The Patrick Wright family started the present restoration.
1997, Restoration complete. Manor House as a family home.
Accommodation:
The Ground Floor:
Vaulted Sitting Room has a TV, and a secret mural stair to the first floor. Cloakroom has a wc and a wash hand basin. The Main Stair (photo right) leads to the first floor and is hung with family portraits and tapestry hangings. The First Floor:
The Great Hall, Reception Room. |
Dining Room
Sitting Room
Great Hall
Kitchen
Bedroom Accommodation:
|
The Second or Top floor is reached by a spiral staircase. The bedrooms are furnished with antique or period furniture.
The Edwardian bedroom has a double bed, wash hand basin and the bathroom across the passage a few steps away.
|
Edwardian bedroom
Jacobean bedroom
Victorian bedroom
Edwardian bedroom
Weddings and Family Celebrations:
Plane Castle is a unique and romantic setting for special occasions. Wedding ceremonies may take place within the Tower, in the Manor House, the Great Hall, or in the castle grounds. The Great Hall is also a marvelous setting for special celebration dinners for parties of up to 20 or so. (No disco or amplification out of consideration for conversation). There are beds for 8 and the Manor House can of course be taken concurrently with the Tower (self catering). Bed and Breakfast accommodation is available locally. See: Plane Castle Weddings |
|
Castles, battlefields, and Archaeological Dowsing:
|
Guided outings to selected castles, battlefields, and an introduction/instruction in Archaeological Dowsing of Roman and Medieval sites. |
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.
Raja standing below the wooden walkway which connects the Tower (left) with the Manor House (right).
Plane Castle Manor House (sleeping 8+2)
| Main | Mid | Low | |
| 7 nights, Friday to Friday | £2400 | £2100 | £1750 |
| 5 nights, Thursday to Tuesday | -- | £1850 | £1450 |
| 4 nights Monday to Friday | -- | £1400 | £1150 |
| 3 nights Friday to Monday | -- | £1400 | £1150 |
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.
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.
- 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", pitch-&-put course, croquet set, and the use of some bikes. |
To enquire or to book:
MacRoberts and MacBurty
Please note there are no printed brochures available.
Please contact:
Nancy and John Patrick Wright,
email:
planecastle@Stirling.co.uk
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 Tower,
see Plane Castle Tower
Please tell Nancy and John you found the Tower through About Scotland!
For more information about Plane Castle see www.planecastle.co.uk
Map of the area:
About Scotland
-