There is a book....
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SPAR CAVE NGR NG 538 129 Landranger 32 Elgol, Skye
marked on Landranger map. Also known as Sloched Altrimen (= Cave of the Nursling) and Macalister?s Cave. A 20 feet, L 310 feet, VR 30 feet.
...mermaid?s alabaster grot
Who bathes her limbs in sunless well
Deep in Straithairds enchanted cell.
Lord of the Isles
From Elgol, take the unclassified road (tar sealed) to Glasnakille. Park near the telephone kiosk at the `T? junction. Take the road to the south and seek permission to visit the cave at the second cottage. A fee of 8p per head (April 1974) is payable. The cave is situated at the end of an impressive gorge 50-60 feet high, 20-30 feet wide and 200 feet long. It is only accessible for about ? hour at low tide in settled weather. Cavers wishing to view the cave for a longer period should use a 70 foot ladder from a suitable point at the head of the gorge.
The entrance is partially bricked up with a wall 6 feet high and a large gap for a doorway. The door was blown off many years ago by a passing gun boat for target practise. Behind the wall lies an impressive entrance chamber, with a shower of water, heavily charged with CaCo3, which is being deposited on a pile of tin cans and rubbish on the floor of the cave.
The cave consists of two passages. To the right, a 60 foot long passage with a muddy ends in an impenetrable crack. To the left a 30 foot high passage leads off. After 60 feet it turns sharply to the right and ascends 30 feet over a stalagmite flow. At the top is a 20 foot high chamber, still well decorated, although according to Dr Johnson, it was badly vandalised soon after the discovery of the cave. The passage descends 10 feet to a pool of water. At the far side of the pool, the cave ends after passing though two stalagmite columns.
The cave?s alternative name is Slochd Altrimen, and is derived from a tale over a thousand years old! The daughter of a clan chieftain had a child, out of wedlock by the son of a rival chieftain. To avoid disgrace and certain death she hid the child in the cave until the feud was over and they were able to get married.
Nearby are seven other caves of varying lengths, some with stalactite formations.