Posted by Maris on 3rd Oct 2023
11 Spectacular Caves In Scotland That Will Take Your Breath
Perhaps people do not instantly associate Scotland's landscape with caverns. Consider the majestic mountains, wonderful glens, rocky coastlines, and beautiful sandy beaches, but what about caves? The following are the top 11 fascinating caverns for hikers to explore.
1. The Bone Caves, Inchnadamph, Sutherland
The famed limestone Bone Caves were found in 1889 by geologists Peach and Horne. Scientists unearthed the remains of extinct creatures such as lemmings, lynxes, polar bears, and arctic foxes that previously inhabited the Highlands. It is believed that these monsters, as well as the people that followed them, previously sought refuge in the caves.
2. St Ninian’s Cave, Whithorn, Galloway
St. Ninian, Scotland's first saint, utilized St. Ninian's Cave as a haven of refuge and prayer before establishing his church in nearby Whithorn in 397 AD. The cave was used as the setting for the final scenes of the 1970s cult film The Wicker Man, starring Edward Woodward and Christopher Lee.
3. Smoo Cave, Durness, Sutherland
Smoo Cave is Britain's largest sea cave, with its first chamber alone measuring 60 by 40 meters and 15 meters in height. The second room, which is smaller but no less beautiful, is reached via a wooden walkway. The Allt Smoo plunges 25 meters into the cave through a crack in the ceiling, creating a dramatic blow hole during stormy waves. During the summer, boat cruises to further explore the cave are available.
4. Massacre and Cathedral Caves, Isle of Eigg
These two caverns on the southern coast of the Isle of Eigg tell a bleak story. In 1577, a group of Skye-based Macleods arrived on the island seeking vengeance for the most recent episode in their long-running feud with the Macdonalds. During their three-day seclusion in the Massacre cave, the Macleods were unable to locate the entire population of Eigg.
They did, however, detect a lookout and followed his tracks in the snow, which led them to the cave as they were sailing away. When the Macleods lit a big fire, the smoke murdered 395 people trapped in the cave. Other Macdonalds would later exact an equally savage and horrific vengeance on the Macleods at Trumpan Church on Skye. Catholic services were once held nearby in the massive cathedral cave.
5. Mackinnon’s Cave, Isle of Mull
MacKinnon's Cave is the longest marine cave in the Hebrides. The cave, which may be reached by a short but arduous climb, was originally regarded one of Mull's showplaces, and Johnson and Boswell visited it. Despite the picturesque beach environment, the trail crosses rough, hazardous pebbles and is only accessible below half tide.
6. King’s Cave, Isle of Arran
The mythical King's Cave is one of the locations where Robert the Bruce is said to have had his epic encounter with a spider. The cave contains Christian and pre-Christian carvings. The massive Black Cave beneath Bennan Head on the island of Arran, which is located on a more difficult section of the Arran Coastal Path, is well worth a visit.
7. Keil Caves, Southend, Kintyre peninsula
Roman pottery was unearthed in the Keil Caves, which had been inhabited for generations. These are near Columba's landing place on the southern tip of Kintyre, as are his rock-cut'steps'.
8. Traligill Caves, Inchnadamph
The Traligill Cave System is Scotland's largest cave system and a favorite among expert and experienced cavers. The scary Uamh a Tartair, the first more welcome Uamh An Uisge with a dizzying pothole above, and water that can be heard but not seen are the three primary entrances. Exploring the caves beyond Uamh an Uisge's first chamber is extremely dangerous.
9. Crucifixion Cave, Davaar Island, Kintyre
Before traversing the tidal dunes to Davaar island, carefully study the tide tables, because the spectacular Crucifixion Cave is well worth the effort. In 1887, fishermen who believed it was the product of a miracle discovered an inside artwork depicting the crucifixion.
Alexander MacKinnon, a local art instructor, drew the image and claimed the idea came to him in a dream. He returned to the location several times to touch up the painting, and restoration work is still ongoing.
10. Prince Charlie’s Cave and the Spar Cave, Isle of Skye
These caverns are both located on Skye's Elgol peninsula. The Spar Cave, with its gorgeous flowstone interior, was once a major showplace, although it had a difficult tidal access. Bonnie Prince Charlie spent his final night on Skye before fleeing by boat again in the first cave, which requires some searching (it's not the more visible smaller tidal cave en way).
11. Fingal’s Cave, Staffa, off the Isle of Mull
Fingal's Cave is the most well-known cave in Scotland, despite being located on the small, inaccessible island of Staffa, many kilometers off the coast of Mull. A boat ride out here is surely a fantastic experience, with the sound of the waves filling this stunning cave of volcanic dolerite columns.
It's a very remarkable location. The cave has always attracted tourists and was an important stop on the Victorian "Grand Tour." Mendelssohn got inspiration for his Hebridean overture from the cave.