That huge cave chamber in Scotland

[Pitlamp]

Several years ago Kevin Dixon wrote a superb article in Descent about his laser scanning work in a sea cave in Scotland. It showed beyond doubt that this has the biggest natural cave chamber in Britain - far larger than GG etc.

From vague memory I think this is in Descent 265. My collection of Descents is difficult to get at presently; to save me some serious rummaging please could anyone tell me if that's the right edition? If so, what's the name of the cave?

Thanks.

 

[BCA Membership]

Yup, Descent 265.
Calder's Geo Cave

 

[Leclused]

According the content overview of descent 265 it is
Descent 265

 

[Pitlamp]

Thanks both; that's all I wanted to know.

 

[Lankyman]

A bit of info on Wikipedia

Calder's Geo - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

It doesn't sound accessible without a canoe. I haven't been to Shetland (one day?) but am trying to visit as many Scottish islands as possible. There are usually sea caves that can be accessed. If anyone is ever on Mull I'd recommend a visit to MacKinnon's Cave

The entrance to Mackinnon's Cave, Mull © Karl and Ali

The cave is accessible at low tide and is a 'must-see' spectacle for anyone in the area. The length of passage is around 150m and varies in height from about 20m (or more just inside the entrance) to stooping close to the end. Needless to say, tide times are essential and good lights to enjoy...

www.geograph.org.uk

It's huge.

 

[Katie]

Nice timing Lankyman - I am off to Mull on Saturday for a week!

Never been before but will try and get to Mackinnon's cave at some point this week

 

[Lankyman]

Nice timing Lankyman - I am off to Mull on Saturday for a week!

Never been before but will try and get to Mackinnon's cave at some point this week

Here's the Walkhighlands description (it's a brilliant app if you haven't already got it). You can download up to ten walks at a time on your phone and you don't need a signal to use them and the accompanying maps.

MacKinnon's Cave, near Gribun

MacKinnon's Cave is reckoned to be the longest sea cave in all the Hebrides. This short but challenging walk visits the cave, once regarded as one of the showplaces of Mull and visited by Johnson and Boswell. The coastal setting is superb but the walk crosses awkward slippery boulders and is...

www.walkhighlands.co.uk

 

[emma7027]

Here's the Walkhighlands description (it's a brilliant app if you haven't already got it). You can download up to ten walks at a time on your phone and you don't need a signal to use them and the accompanying maps.

MacKinnon's Cave, near Gribun

MacKinnon's Cave is reckoned to be the longest sea cave in all the Hebrides. This short but challenging walk visits the cave, once regarded as one of the showplaces of Mull and visited by Johnson and Boswell. The coastal setting is superb but the walk crosses awkward slippery boulders and is...

www.walkhighlands.co.uk

I have used the website loads but didn't know there was an app. I'll have a look at that - thanks Lankyman!

 

[mikem]

& Kevin was only scanning the bit above water - Seems it was so big that it required coverage in two issues - "Scanning a sea cave in Scotland has revealed just how massive it is, in the concluding part of our article that started in Descent (264)."

I have mentioned before that a friend of mine has been in Calder's geo, gaping Gill and reservoir hole, but nobody else seems to have visited all three (you also have to be lucky with weather conditions to get in the first!)

 

[mrodoc]

Regarding sea caves Rikoriko cave in The Poor Knights islands of New Zealand is reckoned to the biggest in the world. Having been there I can vouch for its enormous size. There is a subtle difference between Calder's geo, GG and The Frozen Deep in that the latter is truly underground and never penetrated by daylight. I also can recommend Mackinnon's Cave but check tides and don't slip on the seaweed!

 

[Lankyman]

I have used the website loads but didn't know there was an app. I'll have a look at that - thanks Lankyman!

Yes, I too wasn't aware of the app until a couple of years ago. It's a lot better than faffing about trying to get the website up when there's no signal. I do find I'm more and more watching blue dots rather than 'proper' navigation with a paper map! I do carry paper maps around still but find they often stay in the rucksack.

 

[Katie]

As recommended on UKcaving today me, Rob, the three kids and three dogs had a trip to McKinnons cave.
It was great! It has a huge entrance and goes a long way back.

I liked that when you look out of the entrance you can actually see Staffa, and where Fingal's cave is.

 

[Lankyman]

View attachment 23562View attachment 23563

As recommended on UKcaving today me, Rob, the three kids and three dogs had a trip to McKinnons cave.
It was great! It has a huge entrance and goes a long way back.

I liked that when you look out of the entrance you can actually see Staffa, and where Fingal's cave is.

I just remembered another cave on Mull that we visited where they used to have a hidden whisky still. Not as spectacular as MacKinnon's but a great walk to get there

Treshnish Coast and the Whisky Cave

This superb circular walk takes in an interesting section of coastline on the Treshnish peninsula. It includes cliff scenery, a chance to see wildlife, evocative abandoned villages and the legendary whisky cave - where the finest moonshine on Mull was produced.

www.walkhighlands.co.uk

Illicit whisky distilling tub © Karl and Ali cc-by-sa/2.0

In a cave somewhere on the Treshnish peninsula

www.geograph.org.uk

I'd love to visit Staffa but would my bladder hold for that long on a small boat? Perhaps they let you go over the side ...

 

[Katie]

I'd love to visit Staffa but would my bladder hold for that long on a small boat? Perhaps they let you go over the side ...

I would really recommend Fingal's cave. It is amazing!
We went with Staffa Trips, and their boat does have a toilet on board:

Staffa Boat Trips from Iona and Fionnphort

Daily boat trips to the island of Staffa from Iona and Fionnphort on the Isle of Mull. Visit Fingal's Cave and see puffins and other wildlife.

www.staffatrips.co.uk

If you stick to the shore you can't get very far into Fingal's cave.
Which is frustrating when you are a caver. Luckily I also do a lot of cold water swimming, so stripped off to my pants for a swim to the very back of the cave. Rob couldn't resist either, so we ended up both having a swim, whilst the kids entertained themselves on the basalt columns.

Thanks for the info on Whiskey cave - it looks really interesting. Might have to save that one for another trip though, as I am not sure how many caves our kids want to visit this week! Whilst they love caving the Mull beaches might be more their thing......

 

[mikem]

When we kayaked out there this spring they were repairing the steps on Staffa and the cave wasn't accessible, plus it was a bit rough for paddling in, but there were plenty of puffins.

 

[Bob Mehew]

I'd love to visit Staffa but would my bladder hold for that long on a small boat? Perhaps they let you go over the side ...

The trip boat from Ulva has a toilet. Can't recall whether the boats from Fionnphort do.

 

[Lankyman]

The trip boat from Ulva has a toilet. Can't recall whether the boats from Fionnphort do.

After far too many midgeing horrors from Munro-bagging days I've tended to avoid the Highlands and Islands during high summer in recent years. This means the boat companies aren't running when we're usually somewhere (like Tiree last September). Back in June I decided to 'risk' a few days on Bute and the little biting b*stards got me (it was admittedly a warm, still evening). I really must get a grip and get on a boat though even if it means wearing some bulky pee pants.

 

[Bob Mehew]

After far too many midgeing horrors from Munro-bagging days I've tended to avoid the Highlands and Islands during high summer in recent years.

Ulva ferry claims it runs from Easter, see https://www.turusmara.com/trips/staffa-visit/ . We don't usually have problems with midges at the GSG hut until June or after September.


I will also confuse people by suggesting MacKinnon's cave on Staffa is well worth the visit, presuming you can time it right and are quick! Access is via Cormorant's Cave which needs low tide unless you swim and clamber along from Fingal's. Bigger than the one on Mull and some fascinating geology in the roof. The GSG Bulletin in 2006 has an article on the caves of Staffa.