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Kennoway Den [Overview]

E of Glenrothes, N of Kennoway, Fife.

A generic reference to caves in Kennoway Den.

Caves (or possibly rock cut chambers) in the cliff face in the lower half of the den, The walls of the ravine have many caves through them, some still visible today, however not advisable to enter.

There are at least three caves in Kennoway Den, and the name probably refers to the two small caves low down near the east bank of the Kennoway Burn. There is another, much larger, cave, higher up the east side of the den (at about 30 m), and further to the north. This is called 'John Knox's Cave' on OS 1:25000 1st edition. [Fife Placenames]

Alternative Names: Kennoway Den Caves

Notes: It has been suggested that the placename Kennoway is derived from Ceann na H-Uaimhe (headland or promontory of the caves).

Knox's Cave is probably named after a local landowner (not the Reformation preacher). Jim Salvona's logbook suggests that Knox's Cave is alternate name of Square Cave. A local Council leaflet claims it is the alternate name of the Round Cave [probably an error as OS maps clearly state Dookit (or Doo Cote) as an alternate name for Round Cave].

Local legend claims that the Round Cave was used by Covenanters & as holding cell for Napoleonic prisoners of war. 'Square cave' round cliff face to N thought to cut into rock as doocot by19th century landowner [if the chamber was cut by the local landowner, it is more likely that it was named after him which supports Jim's version but the council and the Ordnance Survey seem to have agreed on their more exciting version of 'history'].

See also Square Cave, Round Cave & Knox's Cave. Lengths are given in entries for individual caves. There are also references to two smaller caves 30m downstream from John Knox's Cave (close to the footbridge at Spa Wynd).

Local rumour states that a ley tunnel extends from Kennoway Den to the Wemyss caves, supposedly used for smuggling.

Hydrographic Feeds: Kennoway Burn