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Devol Glen (fissure cave) [Lower]

Devol Glen, Port Glasgow, Inverclyde (Renfrewshire).

Lower of two large deepish voids into darkness (only just and mostly due to dark staining on the rock) on the precpitous east side of the gorge at the top of Devol Glen. The upper hole is accessible only by rope from above (it might be possible to reach it along the steep east bank of the gorge), while the lower fissure can be walked into from the streamway (but getting to the streamway down the west side of the gorge will need at least a handline and a well anchored safety line).

It is possible to get down to the streamway either by a near vertical climb 20-25 m down the west side of the gorge or by walking 20-30m downstream from a point NW of the main waterfall to where a steeply sloping bank is free-climbable but better and safer with a hand line belayed off one of the nearby trees. From the streamway, the fissures are on the east side of the gorge, which can be reached (again with a hand line) down a steep scramble (either down a mossy 2.5 m climb or a crawl through a boulder ruckle on the east side by a 3 m waterfall) and then down and along the side of the burn to a 2nd 3 m waterfall.

To reach the fissures it will be necessary to climb down through the 2nd waterfall which consists of large mossy boulders but if the water flow is not too great this should be possible [Maybe next time, John Crae].

In dry weather, it is possible to descend the steep west bank of the ravine without a handline and ford the stream which varies from a trickle to a torrent based on the weather over the past week. When very dry it is possible to drop into the cleft on the east bank and descend to the foot of the 10 m waterfall (in only moderately dry weather the bottom part of the descant is through the waterfall but when reduced to a trickle the east side remains dry).

[In total about 40 m of rope useful but not essential unless wet. A single rope of this length gives extra security while climbing the steep & slippery sides of the gorge, when crossing the burn and descending the 2nd waterfall. Wellies essential and oversuits at least, as it is impossible to avoid getting wet under the waterfalls]

Both openings, one 15- 20 m above the other in what seems to be a fault line in the rock are about 2-3 m wide and 5-6 m high, distance into the cliff minimal [the bottom cleft is entirely open the sky and what looks like an overhang is just an optical illusiopn with dark rock and earth below moss covered rock above. It is not confirmed but the upper cleft is assumed to be more of the same or likely not much beyond what is visible from across the stream].

There is a smaller hole in the rock about 10 m up the cliff and 7-8 m to the right of the fissure. This goes nowhere (about 0.75 m in diameter) ending in solid rock. Again the dark rock makes it look bigger.

Not much depth of cave but interesting geologically and botanically and also challenging to get to.

Immediately downstream of the lower fissure there is another 3 m vertical (third) waterfall with no obvious route up or down. A ladder descent might be possible although belay points are limited (it might be possible to lash a rope around one of the larger boulders in the sloping waterfall above) but uness you wish to make a full descent of the gorge there is nothing more to see.

Alternative Names: None recorded.

Notes: See also Wallace's Loup Undercut and Devolution.

In late May into June the ferns are already waist high and the midges are beginning to gather. The gorge is littered with fallen trees, entangled in brambles with mossy drop offs and every 'open; space filled with ferns. Access is possible in summer but not pleasant. Winter may be wetter but at least you can see where you put your feet.

Hydrographic Feeds: None (in wet weather ther may be some surface water run-off)

Hydrographic Resurgences: Little or no discharge into Devol Burn