Dunure Labyrinth

The labyrinth, with castle ruins in the background. ssm67alba (Atlas Obscura User)

Old and new structures blend together within this Scottish park, where a labyrinth lies in the shadow of a ruined medieval castle. The labyrinth, although modern, looks dramatic against the backdrop of the ruins.

The labyrinth was built a decade ago after the community received a grant from a Millennium Funding Project. Locals constructed the labyrinth, and it’s currently maintained by volunteers from the village and various pagan groups from throughout Scotland.

The labyrinth sits just atop a small stretch of beach. Walking through the labyrinth to a soundtrack of crashing waves is a zen, meditative experience.

But the land the labyrinth sits upon was not always so peaceful. Dunure Castle, which looms in the background, has witnessed centuries of turmoil. It was the home of Clan Kennedy of Carrick. As such, it was the stage for many of their disputes. The most notorious conflict occurred in 1570, when Gilbert Kennedy, 4th Earl of Cassilis, roasted a man over an open fire for two days until the captive finally agreed to sign over some land.

Know Before You Go

Visiting the castle and labyrinth is free, but you'll have to pay to use the Kennedy Park car park. Parking there is worth the fee, as parking within the village can be difficult.

From the car park, head toward the cliffs until you come across the narrow path that leads down to the labyrinth. Keep in mind that the path gets slick and muddy after rain. There is also a beach on the other side of the castle, which is a great place for a picnic or exploring.

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