Dunino Den

Dunino Den is somewhere I've wanted to visit for a while.  Dunino is a small village situated between St Andrews and Anstruther in Fife.  The den can be found within the forest behind Dunino church.  It's said to have been a Pictish ritual site at one time and I'd heard people go there to leave all sorts of offerings.  Naturally I had to check it out.  Being a bit of a scaredy cat, I roped my friend Thomas into coming along with me.

We decided to explore the churchyard first.  The house below is situated just beside the church. 

We made our way through the forest to find the small stone steps into the den...

A flag made up of coloured strips of material marks a place in along the path...

We soon found the steps leading down into the den...

A ravaged looking rope swing hangs from a large tree.  I salute whoever was brave enough to tie the rope to the top and anyone who decides who have a swing on it.

We had a look around the den at the some of the offerings people have left and the various coloured ribbons hanging from trees.

The den is very quiet and there's a real sense of solitude here.  I did find it a bit eerie and a bit more 'Blair Witch' than I'm comfortable with.  I certainly wouldn't have come here alone although I know people who do and they've lived to tell the tale.  I think I've just seen too many horror films.

It's obvious from some of the offerings and letters (I didn't read them) people have left that they find some peace, comfort or even magic from being here. After spending a little while in the den, we decided to ascend the stone steps back to the forest and head home.

It was great to get out exploring with my camera again.  I am planning my next adventure. 

Restoration

When I'm feeling a bit stressed or under the weather, a trip to the Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh always lifts my spirits and leaves me feeling restored.  I decided to take a trip there last month when I was in need of some alone time with my camera. Here are some of the pictures I took that day.  

Hello!

Have a lovely weekend!

Garden Sunbathing

We normally don't have very good summers in Scotland but the past couple of weeks have been mostly sunny and really quite warm.  I didn't want the noise and bustle of a public park and I decided there was no better place to enjoy the sun but my own garden.  Armed with SPF 30 sun cream, my kindle and ipad (for Spotify) I took to the garden for a afternoon of sunbathing.  The last time I sunbathed in a garden was at my Gran's house over 20 years ago.  I forgot how enjoyable it is just to lie there doing nothing much except listening to the birds and the trees and enjoying the smell of grass and sun cream. 

My sunbathing place

Looking up 

Looking up

Garden flowers

Garden flowers

My garden isn't particularly big or fancy but a couple of hours just lying there enjoying the heat of the sun was very good for the soul. 

Scottish Deer Centre

My man and I had a rare weekday off together yesterday.  We decided to head to the Scottish Deer Centre near Cupar in Fife. I've been desperate to go there ever since I found out they have a wolf pack and a red fox.

It was a dull day but fortunately it stayed dry. I was delighted to discover that you can purchase a bag of deer food along with your ticket and actually hand feed some of the deer. I got to feed some beautiful and very friendly Sika & Fallow deer and watch the birds of prey demonstration where we joined at our table by a lovely Eagle Owl. The highlight of the day was the carnivore walk and talk where we got to see wolves, wildcats and foxes being fed. I found this all very exciting but unfortunately, no great pictures of the wolves to be had because they were behind two fences. I did manage to get some lovely pictures of the other animals and birds though.  There's a couple more on my Flickr page too.  Hope you like them!