Meandering through the woods on a nice summer’s day and enjoying the fresh air is a usual occurrence in the daily lives of Scots. However, those on a walk through the Dunnottar Woods are in for a surprise, as a 400-year-old bath and a wee house covered in shells present hikers with a sight out of a real-life fairy tale. The Shell House is a mysterious attraction in itself, hidden away in a Scottish forest.
The Shell House is a secret grove, also known as the “Shell Hoosie”, a more affectionate name used by the locals. Located within the Dunnottar Woods in Aberdeenshire, the grove boasts quite a small, oven-shaped form, with all kinds of shells decorated on the inside walls.
Why is The Shell House there?
The enigmatically shaped structure makes visitors think they have stumbled upon the home of a mythical creature, yet that is not the case. The origins of The Shell House are easily explained: it is said to have been built by Lady Kennedy in the 19th century, who was the wife of a local Laird living at the Kennedy House.
The grove is rumoured to have been designed by architect John Paterson, with its true purpose a mystery to this day. As always, there are plenty of speculations about its intended use, however, the most believable one is a children’s summer hideout. Remembering my childhood of roaming in the forests, I would have LOVED this wee grove with the stunning shell mosaics inside.
Another use that has been thought of is a “romantic feature” that can be uncovered by passers-by as a landscape design, which were, apparently, a huge hit during the early 19th Century.
The 400-year-old bath
If you walk a wee bit further along the trail, you will stumble across Lady Kennedy’s Bath, which is located in Periwinkle Den and was, supposedly, built in 1806. Periwinkle Den got its name due to the hundreds of purple flowers blooming there during the Spring season. As the bath is part of the burn, it is, essentially, a 400-year-old jacuzzi.
Getting to The Shell House and Lady Kennedy’s Bath
Located over two hours from Glasgow on the south side of Stonehaven, visiting The Shell House makes for an excellent day trip. Visitors can access the woods by walking from the town through the entrances between Carron Gardens and Woodcot Brae, followed by a short, yet steep, climb.
If driving and using navigation, simply put in the AB39 3XX postcode, which is near the car park at the south end of the forest just off the A957.