Go to the Main Scottish Cave and Mine Database Search Page

Cave Hynish

Tiree, Argyll and Bute.

At the head of a gully on the south coast of Hynish, there is a narrow, 8.5m long fissure leading to a c. 2.2m w ide, 1.7m high cave. From this space, the fissure continues for several more metres, becoming lower as it does so.

An auger was used in attempt to find any evidence of human habitation, but on reaching a depth of 0.76m, the search was terminated; the auger's full length having been reached. A series of nine soil samples were taken at increasing depths up to 0.70m. Below 0.10m the deposit contained no silt and consisted of varying colours, including white, black and brown sand. There was no other noticeable stratification. The samples were floated and sieved. No flints or charcoal were retrieved. The samples contained a small number of very small fish bones, which decreased in frequency with depth. There was also a small number of mammal bones and seashells. This material is consistent with debris from an otter holt. There was no evidence of human activity at the depth examined.

Alternative Names: Ben Hynish Site 3