You can find Fingal’s Cave on the Isle of Staffa located south-west off the Isle of Ulva. The uninhabited island is only half a mile in length and is composed exclusively of hexagonally jointed basalt columns (like the ones at the Giant’s Causeway on Ireland’s north coast.) “Fingal” is said to be an anglicisation of Finn MacCumhaill who was an Irish General who commanded the Feinne, a group who fended off the Norsemen and other such invaders. The site is also famed for its colourful folklore about giants that see Scottish and Irish mythology overlap.You can find Fingal’s Cave on the Isle of Staffa located south-west off the Isle of Ulva. The uninhabited island is only half a mile in length and is composed exclusively of hexagonally jointed basalt columns (like the ones at the Giant’s Causeway on Ireland’s north coast.) “Fingal” is said to be an anglicisation of Finn MacCumhaill who was an Irish General who commanded the Feinne, a group who fended off the Norsemen and other such invaders. The site is also famed for its colourful folklore about giants that see Scottish and Irish mythology overlap.
You can find Fingal’s Cave on the Isle of Staffa located south-west off the Isle of Ulva. The uninhabited island is only half a mile in length and is composed exclusively of hexagonally jointed basalt columns (like the ones at the Giant’s Causeway on Ireland’s north coast.) “Fingal” is said to be an anglicisation of Finn MacCumhaill who was an Irish General who commanded the Feinne, a group who fended off the Norsemen and other such invaders. The site is also famed for its colourful folklore about giants that see Scottish and Irish mythology overlap.

Scottish Caves of Legend: 17 Beautiful caves in Scotland with fascinating stories

With inspiring glens, glistening lochs and wind-battered coastlines, caves usually don’t take centre stage when it comes to Scotland’s natural beauty but there are many incredible ones with rich heritage regardless.
Thomas Mackay
By Thomas Mackay
Published 1st Jun 2023, 11:41 BST
Updated 3rd Aug 2023, 15:01 BST

Summer is here and for lovers of everything outdoorsy Scotland has you covered with its beautiful selection of munros, lochs, glens, birdwatching spots, waterfalls, lighthouses and monuments (to name a few!)

Recently, we ran a poll with our Scotsman readers asking for their choice of the most spectacular places to visit in Scotland for new tourists, and while their answers made for an exciting selection it was lacking one of the country’s most fascinating natural attractions; caves.

If you’re a nature enthusiast - or intereted in Scottish mythology - you’ll enjoy Scotland’s many diverse and breathtaking caves that are scattered from the lowlands to the highest peaks of the Scottish Highlands.

So, let’s crack into these seventeen Scottish caves, caverns and coves and explore their rich heritage while doing so. Disclaimer: Not every site on this list is accessible, check local authority websites for more details if you’re interested.

If you’re a nature enthusiast - or intereted in Scottish mythology - you’ll enjoy Scotland’s many diverse and breathtaking caves that are scattered from the lowlands to the highest peaks of the Scottish Highlands.

Located four miles from Whithorn Abbey, you can find this small sea cave on the southwestern coast of the Machars of Galloway. It is said to have been the retreat of St Ninian, the Christian saint (first mentioned in the 5th century) who was an early missionary to Scotland’s ancient ancestors; the Picts. The cave contained several fascinating Celtic cross carvings but these have since been removed and relocated to a local museum.

5. St Ninian's Cave, Whithorn

Located four miles from Whithorn Abbey, you can find this small sea cave on the southwestern coast of the Machars of Galloway. It is said to have been the retreat of St Ninian, the Christian saint (first mentioned in the 5th century) who was an early missionary to Scotland’s ancient ancestors; the Picts. The cave contained several fascinating Celtic cross carvings but these have since been removed and relocated to a local museum. Photo: Simon Webster on Flickr

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King’s Cave is the largest of several seafront caves north of Blackwaterfoot on the Isle of Arran. The site is one of many such locations where the King of Scots Robert the Bruce is said to have encountered the spider of legend. After a disastrous first year as king, a dejected Bruce hid in the cave while waiting out the cruel winter of 1306. Inside, he watched a spider try to spin a web on the cave wall only to fail time and again. However, every time the spider fell it rose once more to try again; this inspired Bruce to find his own resolve.

6. King’s Cave, Arran

King’s Cave is the largest of several seafront caves north of Blackwaterfoot on the Isle of Arran. The site is one of many such locations where the King of Scots Robert the Bruce is said to have encountered the spider of legend. After a disastrous first year as king, a dejected Bruce hid in the cave while waiting out the cruel winter of 1306. Inside, he watched a spider try to spin a web on the cave wall only to fail time and again. However, every time the spider fell it rose once more to try again; this inspired Bruce to find his own resolve. Photo: via WikiCommons

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Snib’s Cave is located north of Ballantrae, near Bennane Head. It was famously the home of Henry Ewing Torbet or “Snib Scott” who was reputedly a well-to-do banker in Dundee who went on to give up his charmed lifestyle to spend the remainder of his life as a hermit. Despite being a very private (and proud) man who embraced solitude and self-sufficiency as he hunted for his meals, the local people were apparently fond of him and would often leave gifts of sandwiches and cigarettes nearby his dwelling which he would accept.

7. Snib Cave’s, Lendalfoot

Snib’s Cave is located north of Ballantrae, near Bennane Head. It was famously the home of Henry Ewing Torbet or “Snib Scott” who was reputedly a well-to-do banker in Dundee who went on to give up his charmed lifestyle to spend the remainder of his life as a hermit. Despite being a very private (and proud) man who embraced solitude and self-sufficiency as he hunted for his meals, the local people were apparently fond of him and would often leave gifts of sandwiches and cigarettes nearby his dwelling which he would accept. Photo: © Mary and Angus Hogg

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Crucifixion Cave sits on Davaar Island at the mouth of Campbeltown Loch off the east coast of Kintyre in Argyll and Bute. The cave is famous for a stunning life-sized painting of the Crucifixion decorating its interior. It was painted by a local art teacher, Archibald MacKinnon, in 1887 who did so after a dream prompted him to. The painting has been maintained other the years but was once defaced by an image of Che Guevara, a former minister of Cuba who - although widely praised - also helped create the first Cuban concentration camp.

8. Crucifixion Cave, Davaar

Crucifixion Cave sits on Davaar Island at the mouth of Campbeltown Loch off the east coast of Kintyre in Argyll and Bute. The cave is famous for a stunning life-sized painting of the Crucifixion decorating its interior. It was painted by a local art teacher, Archibald MacKinnon, in 1887 who did so after a dream prompted him to. The painting has been maintained other the years but was once defaced by an image of Che Guevara, a former minister of Cuba who - although widely praised - also helped create the first Cuban concentration camp. Photo: © James T M Towill

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