Northern Scotland Dig

[ulaaks]

Hi all!

I'm using this forum to log the progress of my dig!

1st June 2025:
Found the entrance to the cave. 1m of foliage had to be removed to reveal a rocky choked shaft.

2nd June 2025:
First attempt of a decent. Few rocks were removed but two large boulders made a decent unsafe. Thanks to Rowan (GUPA) for helping out.

24th June 2025:
Quick dig removing the two problematic boulders. Unfortunately half of the peat in the entrance collapsed in since last time so left the once clean very limestone covered in a meter thick layer of gunk. After removal, this allowed me to descend through the boulders to a choked floor about 2-3m down. Thanks to the Smoo crew for helping out.

6th August 2025:
My car broke down for a month so progress was halted. Once back most loose rocks were removed and a lot of peat that collapsed in was dealt with. A small 2m passage was observed underneath the choke that will require scaffolding and a lot of rock removal in order to be safely entered (not to mention both walls also need scaffolding). It also appears we're now in a large choked shaft that is gradually widening. The entrance has also (finally) been covered with a wooden pallet. Despite these setbacks things are looking promising. Thanks to Andrew (GUPA) and Ben (GUPA) for helping out.

 

[Goydenman]

looks good. scaffolding and boards is a good idea to make safe and prevent slumping in of peat. Look forward to more updates hope it goes well. Enjoy

 

[Lankyman]

Looks good. Whereabouts in northern Scotland is it? You don't need to give a grid reference but it would be interesting to know the general area.

 

[Occasional Borderer]

Delightful

 

[ulaaks]

15th August 2025:
Had a little session removing a few boulders in the shaft today. Got many larger ones out and the 2m void appears to be a part of the choke. We also found a bunch of waste from a farmer long ago! After a quick search of the area no sinks or resurgences were discovered but the line of sinkholes this dig is in is significantly larger than I once thought. Thanks to Andrew (GUPA) for the help.

 

[ulaaks]

21st August 2025:
Had a small session today, got rid of a lot of larger boulders in the bottom. It is now possible to comfortably sit up under the fragmented bits of limestone in the entrance. The void turned out to be part of a bigger rift that has now got significantly larger in both directions, looking more like a fault line than anything. At least 1m more of void was observed going deeper along with a small trickle coming out of the walls. A lot of sheep bones have been found really deep in, suggesting the hole used to be open before collapsing in years ago. A potential resurgences has been found and we will have a go at dye testing soon. If the dye comes out of the spring the system will at least stretch along 500m and be over double than what we thought originally. A small line of sinkholes has also been found that seems to connect the two valleys of sinkholes. Thanks to Andrew (GUPA) and smidge for making this dig possible today.

 

[mrodoc]

Nice to see the Durness area receiving attention. Balknakeil Gloup was extended earlier this year.

 

[ulaaks]

24th August 2025:
After decending into the now roomy void I have deemed it to be unsafe to continue digging without some sort of scaffolding. The whole entrance appears to be held up by 5 very large boulders with one jammed between the lot. If one becomes loose it would be very likely the whole thing would collapse in so will have to look into buying some metal scaffolding somewhere. It's a shame but should be back with scaffolding by october assuming things go well.

 

[Chris Curry]

Sounds like an interesting project. If you price up what you think you'll need and submit it to the CNCC they will probably pay for it under their Exploration Grant scheme @ulaaks

 

[georgenorth]

I’d imagine most scaff yards will sell you the necessary supplies for a reasonable rate.

We currently pay about 50p/ft for steel tube and 50p each for clamps. If you’ve got loose fill to hold back then you’ll probably want some 4” x 1” boards too which are best purchased from your timber yard.

 

[mrodoc]

The Old Ruminator is our scaffolding snaffler but rather a long way from you!

 

[Badlad]

Here's some scaffold and plank shoring going into a new dig just yesterday. It might give you some ideas.

 

[alanw]

There's lots of photos of the scaff/boarding at Stream Passage Pot here:

Post in thread 'Stream Passage Pot July-August 2024'

Jul 2, 2024

Today's progress. Lots of very large boulders moved, scaff and boarding started

• alanw

• 

Note the very long vertical poles, these were slid down one at a time as we dug down. Ditto for the planks. Make sure that the clamps are put on so that you can get access to the nuts for this.

 

[legendrider]

A little extra money spent now will pay dividends in the long run.

Don't use old, rusty, wasted, bare steel scaff poles, they wont last. Use decent galvanised stock for longevity.

Invest in good outdoor-quality treated timber from agricultural merchants or fencing supply.
Recycled decking boards can be an inexpensive and suitable option, but avoid pallet timber and builders-skip softwood offcuts.

If cutting your treated timber, caulk the cut ends with creosote or proprietary wood preserver.

Good Luck with your project,

MARK

 

[Goon]

The Old Ruminator is our scaffolding snaffler but rather a long way from you!

Just a thought. If the dig is at Ach a'Chorrain district, then becareful about leavingdighs. This is common grazing and a host of people need to be consulted before digs are progressed.