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.
13. MacKinnon's Cave, Mull
Said to be the deepest Hebridean sea cave at 500ft, MacKinnon’s Cave rests on the Isle of Mull’s west coast near Gribun. The early Celtic monk, Abbot MacKinnon, was supposedly concealed there in the 15th century. Deep within the cave, explorers can find a large, flat rock slab known as “Fingal’s Table” which was reputedly used as an altar by early followers of the Christian church. MacKinnon’s Cave is also infamous in local folklore as a site where murderous fairies dwell. Photo: © Karl and Ali
14. Traligill Caves, Inchnadamph
A pleasant walk from the Traligill River valley from Inchnadamph sees intrepid explorers reach the Traligill Caves. According to Ramblers they are “the largest cave system in Scotland” and the “views of the surrounding mountains are excellent”. It is said that Norsemen are behind the name “Traligill” which is locally thought to be “Troll River” or “Troll Ravine” and the emotive atmosphere of the locality (plus Scotland’s propensity for folklore) lends to this. However, this has been hotly debated by etymologists. Photo: via WikiCommons
15. St Margaret’s Cave, Dunfermline
A small stone building in the middle of a Dunfermline car park isn’t where you’d expect to encounter an ancient pilgrimage site, yet here we are. Directly under the Glen Bridge Car Park you can find the entrance to a tunnel with a set of 87 steps that descends down to the site where Queen Margaret would pray over 900 years ago. She was a Saxon princess born around 1047 who would later become the Queen of Scotland after marrying King Malcolm in 1070. Three of their children also became kings; Edward, Alexander and David. Photo: via WikiCommons
16. The Spar Cave, Elgol
Situated on the beautiful Isle of Skye, Spar Cave can only be accessed for a short time during the low tide but even then explorers have to endure a wet clamber over the cavern’s rocks. The cave’s name in Gaelic, Slochd Altimen, means “nursing cave” which is said to refer to a 9th-century princess who fell in love with a shipwrecked sailor of another clan. Fearing what might happen if their love was discovered, the princess hid their baby in the cave. Photo: georgep008 on Flickr