King's Cave
| King’s Cave | |
|---|---|
| Fingal's Cave | |
 | |
 | |
| Location | Isle of Arran |
| OS grid | NR8836330937 |
| Coordinates | 55°31′34.3″N 5°21′12.5″W / 55.526194°N 5.353472°W |
| Entrances | 1 |
| Access | via public footpath |
King's Cave (Scottish Gaelic: Uamh an Rìgh) is the largest of a series of seafront caves north of Blackwaterfoot on the Isle of Arran in Scotland.[1] The caves were formed when melting glaciers resulted in a raised beach due to a process called isostatic rebound.[2] Kilmory Parish church records suggest the cave may have been used for church meetings in the eighteenth century,[3] and it is also said to have been used as a school.[3] Before being known as the King's Cave it was known as Fingal's Cave after Fionn mac Cumhaill.[4]
The current name of the cave is linked to the legend of Robert the Bruce seeking refuge in a cave where he is said to have been inspired by watching a spider's numerous and ultimately successful attempts to build a web,[5][6] but this story is widely considered apocryphal.[7]
In January 1909 an archeological dig was conducted within the cave.[3] A 32 foot long trench was dug and examined, but aside from a small bronze ornament and some animal bones nothing of interest was found, so the dig was halted on the fourth day.[3]
References[]
- ^ "King's Cave - Forestry and Land Scotland". Scottish Government. Retrieved 2021-08-12.
- ^ "Cave's of Great Britain: King's Cave". Show Caves. Retrieved 2021-08-12.
- ^ a b c d J. A. Balfour, ed. (1910). The Book of Arran.
- ^ Thomas Pennant (1772). A Tour in Scotland and Voyage to the Hebrides.
- ^ "King's Caves". Mysterious Britain & Ireland. 17 September 2008. Retrieved 2021-08-12.
- ^ "King's Cave, Isle of Arran". Info Britain. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03.
- ^ "Bruce's Cave". BBC. Retrieved 2021-08-12.
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- Caves of Scotland
- Landforms of the Isle of Arran
- North Ayrshire geography stubs