Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Puglia Italy - Matera
Italy • 8 days, 7 nights
Southern Italy: Castles, Caves & Coastal Treasures in Puglia
from
Turkmenistan Gates of Hell Darvaza crater
Turkmenistan • 10 days, 9 nights
Turkmenistan & the Gates of Hell
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
Pinal Airpark
Note the chrysanthemum crests.
Hachiman Bridge
Clarendon War Memorial.
Clarendon War Memorial
This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
Chefs Aruss Lerlerstkull and Atcharaporn Kiatthanawat lean into regional traditions.
Charmgang
The khao soi at Gedhawa comes with a rich, coconutty broth.
Gedhawa
At Nai Mong Hoi Thod, the oyster omelet is worth waiting for.
Nai Mong Hoi Thod
In this deceptively simple dish, top-quality ingredients are paramount.
Kor Panich
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Haleakalā National Park’s summit region, shrouded in the pre-dawn fog.
Beware the Legends Behind These National Park Souvenirs
5 days ago
For Aguilar-Carrasco, nature is a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of all life.
How Can National Parks Be Made Accessible to All? AO Wants to Know.
6 days ago
Podcast: Finding ‘The Great Gatsby’ in Louisville
7 days ago
Here’s which treats you can safely lug home without risking a fine.
Dear Atlas: What International Food Can I Legally Bring Into the U.S.?
8 days ago

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 Stirling The Lion's Den
AO Edited

The Lion's Den

It's said this was once the home of King James V's pet lion.

Stirling, Scotland

Added By
katielou106
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
Lion’s Den from the first floor.   katielou106 / Atlas Obscura User
Lion’s Den from the first floor.   katielou106 / Atlas Obscura User
The Lion’s Den   katielou106 / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  rbenn250 / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Lion motif on the wooden staircase in the Lion’s Den.   katielou106 / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

In a small courtyard that lies at the heart of Stirling Castle built for James V is a small, paved area that is very nondescript but is referred to as the Lion's Den.

While the name probably comes from the importance of the lion in Scottish heraldry, there is another theory behind the name. Some believe that this courtyard was once home to an actual lion.

It's said the lion was sent to James V as a present from Flanders in 1537. Lions were actually a common gift among European kings of the period, James II had one and James VI kept three of these noble animals. Menageries containing such exotic animals were a common feature of Renaissance castles.

Lions have always been considered a royal beast. Keeping one was more than just for curiosity or entertainment, they were considered the embodiment of the Scottish royal arms—a symbol of royal power.

Occasionally, lions were used in spectacle shows at the court. 

Related Tags

Zoos History & Culture Animals

Know Before You Go

The Lion's Den can only be visited as part of a self guided tour of Stirling Castle.

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Flavors of Scotland: Beyond the Haggis

Smoked seafood, single malt whisky, and warm hospitality.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

katielou106

Edited By

kieranv132, SEANETTA, rbenn250

  • kieranv132
  • SEANETTA
  • rbenn250

Published

November 18, 2021

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
The Lion's Den
Stirling, Scotland, FK8 1EH
United Kingdom
56.122907, -3.945562

Nearby Places

The Star Pyramid

Stirling, Scotland

miles away

Martyrs' Memorial

Stirling, Scotland

miles away

Grave Robbing Headstone

Stirling, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Stirling

Stirling

Scotland

Places 11

Nearby Places

The Star Pyramid

Stirling, Scotland

miles away

Martyrs' Memorial

Stirling, Scotland

miles away

Grave Robbing Headstone

Stirling, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Stirling

Stirling

Scotland

Places 11

Related Places

  • Smaller Old Bear Casle

    Helsinki, Finland

    Old Bear Castles of Korkeasaari Zoo

    These historical landmarks stand as reminders of the evolution of animal care and conservation.

  • Artificial cave built as animal shelter

    Cisco, Texas

    Old Zoo Nature Trails

    Hike the ruins of a zoo that was shut down by an unsolved murder.

  • Farley Mount Monument

    Hampshire, England

    Farley Mount Monument

    This towering monument is dedicated in memory of a most unusually named, yet heroic, horse.

  • Young donkeys in the field

    Dampierre-sur-Boutonne, France

    Asinerie du Baudet du Poitou

    A public center dedicated to showcasing and conserving the enormous shaggy Poitou donkey.

  • Heirloom corn, all dried out to keep for the winter.

    Conway, South Carolina

    L.W. Paul Living History Museum

    Get some farm-to-table history at this living history museum, where you’ll learn what farm life was like a hundred years ago.

  • Tsuzuki Mamoru-kun

    Yokohama, Japan

    Tsuzuki Mamoru-kun

    A giant gorilla guardian of the neighborhood, warning people to drive safely.

  • Sydney, Australia

    Cactus and Succulent Garden

    Hidden within Sydney’s lush Royal Botanic Garden is a walled cactus rockery and the site of Australia's first zoo.

  • West Mifflin, Pennsylvania

    The Blue Whale of Noah's Ark

    The last funhouse of its kind, where guests enter through the mouth of an 80-year-old blue whale.

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.