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 Dundee The Howff Cemetery
AO Edited

The Howff Cemetery

People leave coins atop an unusual grave marker in one of Scotland's oldest burial grounds.

Dundee, Scotland

Added By
SEANETTA ALLSASS
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
The original west gate.   Stephencdickson/cc by-sa 4.0
  SEANETTA (atlas obscura user)
  SEANETTA (atlas obscura user)
  SEANETTA (atlas obscura user)
  SEANETTA (atlas obscura user)
  SEANETTA (atlas obscura user)
  SEANETTA (atlas obscura user)
Mary w/ deed, McManus Art Gallery   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  mary dandelion / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Suffragette Homage   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA (atlas obscura user)
  SEANETTA (atlas obscura user)
  mary dandelion / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

When Mary, Queen of Scots was visiting Dundee in the 16th century, she was so taken aback by the dilapidated state of the local cemeteries, she established an area outside the city's walls to inter the deceased. In 1564, the Howff was chosen for the location of the new graveyard.

For as long as anyone can recall, the Howff was the site of an open meeting space where the local guilds would gather once a year to conduct business. These included masons, tailors, bakers, and other such tradesmen who would meet to discuss various aspects of commerce. The word howff is a Scottish word meaning an enclosed space or shelter.

Today there are an estimated 80,000 or more people buried in Howff Cemetery, and some 1,000 tombstones, many of which are carved with the emblems of these various trades. Other gravestones are adorned with excellent examples of Memento Mori, such as skulls, bones, and other signs of death.

There is also one mysterious grave maker that stands out from the others in the cemetery. The stone is about two feet tall, very narrow, and easily missed among the multitude of larger headstones. On top of this grave marker, you'll often find a pile of coins, though it's not certain why.

One theory is that leaving a small token here is good luck and will bring wealth and prosperity. Another belief is that individuals place coins here to pay homage to Grissel Jaffray, the last accused witch to be burnt in Dundee. It could be a way of warding off evil or to help alleviate an unjust act. Some say the stone marks where she is laid to rest, though it's very unlikely that an accused witch would be buried in consecrated ground.

Related Tags

Witches Cemeteries Gravestones Memento Mori Graves

Know Before You Go

The marker with the coins is located in the northwest quadrant of the cemetery. If you follow the cobblestone path, heading right from the main entrance on Meadowside, you will come to a large circle of cobblestones underneath a tree. Look for the gravestone that has three large columns, and the marker should be nestled to the left. The cemetery is open throughout the day. Be aware of your surroundings and use common sense as there are some uneven surfaces. Daytime hours are advised for a visit, or consider booking a tour.

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Flavors of Scotland: Beyond the Haggis

Smoked seafood, single malt whisky, and warm hospitality.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

SEANETTA

Edited By

mary dandelion, hrnick, Meg

  • mary dandelion
  • hrnick
  • Meg

Published

August 9, 2019

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
The Howff Cemetery
4 Meadowside
Dundee, Scotland, DD1 1AA
United Kingdom
56.461449, -2.972804
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

'Bruin'

Dundee, Scotland

miles away

Grissel Jaffray Memorial

Dundee, Scotland

miles away

West Bell Street Car Park

Dundee, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Dundee

Dundee

Scotland

Places 8
Stories 2

Nearby Places

'Bruin'

Dundee, Scotland

miles away

Grissel Jaffray Memorial

Dundee, Scotland

miles away

West Bell Street Car Park

Dundee, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Dundee

Dundee

Scotland

Places 8
Stories 2

Related Places

  • Three concrete slabs with small, destroyed remains of headstones sit behind a V-shaped tree opening.

    Taos, New Mexico

    The Three Brujas

    Three witches are said to be buried beneath these unmarked concrete graves.

  • The Barnes grave.

    Ashmore, Illinois

    St. Omer Cemetery Witch Grave

    This grave in a ghost town cemetery marks the death of a witch on a day that never happened.

  • Obelisk and Fence

    Wilton, New Hampshire

    Captain Sam Greele Monument

    A small obelisk marks the spot where Captain Sam Greele was killed by a falling tree.

  • The Grave of Elizabeth Budd-Graham

    Tallahassee, Florida

    Grave of Elizabeth Budd-Graham

    This historic headstone is said to mark the final resting place of a doubly-dead white witch.

  • Houdini’s Grave

    Queens, New York

    Houdini's Grave

    The final resting place of the great escape artist, where some still gather to wait for his escape from death.

  • Brooklyn, New York

    Most Holy Trinity Cemetery

    A burial ground of rusting metal grave markers.

  • Săpânța, Romania

    The Merry Cemetery

    A countryside Romanian cemetery filled with colorful crosses bearing lyrical, ironic, or satirical rhymes.

  • Hill family plot

    Kingston, New Hampshire

    Betty and Barney Hill Graves

    Final resting places of a husband and wife who became famous for their claims of extraterrestrial abduction.

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.