Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United Kingdom Scotland Dunino Dunino Den
AO Edited

Dunino Den

A site of pagan worship which still attracts people looking for fairies.

Dunino, Scotland

Added By
Parus radious
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Dunino Den   Jim Bain on Wikipedia
  bamfordpaul / Atlas Obscura User
Dunino Den Clouties   bwjenkins / Atlas Obscura User
Serenity in Dunino Den   bwjenkins / Atlas Obscura User
Natural Altar in Dunino Den   bwjenkins / Atlas Obscura User
Cute charm detail   petrahudson / Atlas Obscura User
Below the bluff with the well/pool flows a scenic little river   petrahudson / Atlas Obscura User
Collection of charms - everything from clotties to a rosary to a Bride Cross   petrahudson / Atlas Obscura User
The Green Man   MeriH / Atlas Obscura User
Green Man carved into rock face   lauraanneholloway / Atlas Obscura User
Pentagram offering left by followers of the old gods   lauraanneholloway / Atlas Obscura User
Carved stone steps leading to the Den   lauraanneholloway / Atlas Obscura User
Dunino Den Kirk   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
“Wishing Stone”   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Celtic Cross   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  bamfordpaul / Atlas Obscura User
Path along Kirk wall   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Believed by many to be haunted by fairies and other creatures of Celtic legend, the Dunino Den and its surrounding features definitely create a supernatural atmosphere.  

In the woods behind the Dunino church lies an ancient pre-Christian holy site consisting of an "altar stone", a well, and an ancient footprint carved into the rock overlooking a small stream. The well, which sits at the top of the "den" is said to have been used for human sacrifice by ancient druids, although it is more likely that it was simply revered as a natural wonder. Stairs carved into the cliff during a bygone Pagan era lead down into the den proper. Here Celtic crosses and symbols have been carved into the cliff face by worshippers both modern and ancient. Pagan pilgrims venturing to the site leave offerings of all kinds hanging from the trees and tucked into crevices in the cliffs, from coins to ribbons to panties.

A "wishing stone" is located in the cemetery of the Kirk, which dates to the 1800s. Located along the southern wall is a large stone believed to be from the 9th-century. It has been reported that at one time it was used as a sundial towards the end of the 1600s. Now, a stack of coins are piled up along with invocations for good fortune.

Related Tags

Celtic Haunted

Know Before You Go

From the small Dunino church, walk back on the small trail that runs along the right side of the church between the two parts of the graveyard towards the woods. When you enter the woods follow the trail straight on another 50 m or so until you come to the altar stone. The stairs down into the Den will be on your left.

Be aware that the path is unpaved and the steps leading down to the Den are uneven. Wear sensible shoes and use caution if the area is damp. There is parking adjacent to the church

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Flavors of Scotland: Beyond the Haggis

Smoked seafood, single malt whisky, and warm hospitality.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

pieofthemonth

Edited By

Rachel, hrnick, SEANETTA, EricGrundhauser...

  • Rachel
  • hrnick
  • SEANETTA
  • EricGrundhauser
  • petrahudson
  • bwjenkins
  • lauraanneholloway
  • MeriH
  • bamfordpaul

Published

December 4, 2012

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • http://www.mysteriousbritain.co.uk/scotland/fife/ancient-sites/dunino-church-and-den.html
  • http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=15274
  • http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/site/2460/
Dunino Den
4 Belstane Cottages
Dunino, Scotland, KY16 8LU
United Kingdom
56.288169, -2.744473
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Scotland's Secret Bunker

Airdrie, Scotland

miles away

Hamish McHamish Statue

Saint Andrews, Scotland

miles away

George Wishart Memorial Stones

Saint Andrews, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Scotland

Scotland

United Kingdom

Places 734
Stories 49

Nearby Places

Scotland's Secret Bunker

Airdrie, Scotland

miles away

Hamish McHamish Statue

Saint Andrews, Scotland

miles away

George Wishart Memorial Stones

Saint Andrews, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Scotland

Scotland

United Kingdom

Places 734
Stories 49

Related Stories and Lists

15 Places to Find Fairies

List

By Roxanne Hoorn

13 Places to Find Little Legends and Compact Cryptids

List

By Jonathan Carey

Fairy Forts, Dens, & Glens: When Places Are Preserved by Mythical Belief

cryptozoology

By Melissa Marshall

Related Places

  • Leesburg, Virginia

    Glenfiddich House

    The house where Robert E. Lee planned the Battle of Antietam is said to be haunted by the ghost of a Civil War soldier.

  • Al Jazeera Al Hamra, United Arab Emirates

    Al Jazirah Al Hamra Heritage Village

    This abandoned fishing village may or may not be haunted.

  • A celebrated architectural feat, the Blennerhassett hotel was adorned with elaborate window treatments, frescoes, and even a passenger elevator.

    Parkersburg, West Virginia

    The (Haunted) Blennerhassett Hotel

    The oldest hotel in West Virginia is reportedly frequented by ghosts.

    Sponsored by West Virginia Department of Tourism
  • Luddesdown, England

    The Lost Village of Dode

    A haunted medieval church, a ceremonial stone circle, and a burial ground are all that's left of this community lost to the Black Death.

  • A black clay bowl with silver overlay on display at Latenium.

    Hauterive, Switzerland

    Latenium

    This museum is also an active archeological site at the eastern end of Lake Neuchâtel.

  • Exterior of the Clayton House.

    Fort Smith, Arkansas

    The Clayton House Museum

    A beautifully restored 19th-century house that’s possibly haunted.

  • Taunton, Massachusetts

    Taunton State Hospital

    This historic psychiatric hospital is haunted by its chilling past.

  • Cần Thơ, Vietnam

    Bảo Tàng Tarot (Museum of Tarot)

    A mystical-meets-modern mix of centuries-old divination decks and Pokémon cards ready to predict your destiny.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.