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Siosalaich (Uamh an t-)

Between Loch Naver and Loch Coir'an Fhearna, Benclibrick or Beinn Cleith-bric, Carnavaddy (Carn an Fheidh?), Sutherland.

Chisholm's Cave in Carn Vaduc in Ben forest in Sutherland.

The large cave which bears his name is a winding cavity or succession of open spaces or holes of unusual size such as Brobdignag rabbits might be supposed to haunt. In this dismal labyrinth Chisholm lived many years. It is said he kept 2 cows underground & left venison in lieu of hay & grain plundered in the cultivated strath. This sort of bartering gave little offence, some were gratified by it for Chisholm was dreaded as a lawless man, dangerous to anger or molest. They considered a person who lived in gloomy holes under Carn Vaduc must be in service of powers of darkness & it was not safe or canny to interfere with him. Even foresters used to shun him though he was never known to offer personal violence. He lived so much apart from the rest of mankind & was so seldom seen that his dress & appearance became matter of doubt and the manner & time of his death was never known. He either removed privately from the country or expired in one of the remote chambers of the cavern which no person was hardy enough to explore.

The cave lies just to N of Bealach Easach at NC 5793 2587.

Interestingly, according to Ordnance Survey Name Book (Sutherland, compiled in 1873), Uamh an t-Sioslaich or Chisholm's Cave is said to take name from notorious mid-eighteenth century robber. We have found no records of 18th century robber named Chisholm; however said that Harold Chisholm led ferocious band of robbers in late 12th century, & by 1498, Chisholms well known for cattle raiding. Information on later robber Chisholm greatly appreciated, but perhaps oral source for Uamh an t-Sioslaich reflects earlier memory of Chisholm crimes. It certainly points to use of pass for nefarious purposes.

Alternate Names: Chisholm's Cave

Notes: The Name signifies Chisholm's Cave, applied to a cave NW of "Bealach Easach" said to be "retreat of a noted Robber named Chisholm from Invernessshire (vide stat [statistical] acct [account]) who infested this part of the country about the middle of the last century. His early history cannot be traced but probable he became recluse having committed some atrocious crime. He selected cave at back of Klibreck from love of forest life. Not a native of Sutherland nor while there guilty of any heinous crime but made nocturnal visits to inhabited parts of Strathnaver to carry off corn & other necessaries not around his desolate abode.

Several caves, natural arches & fissures along sea-coast and a few in the interior. Most interesting are in the Aird of Kirtomy, Strathy and Strathy Point. Finest natural arch near Farr, described in Pennant's Tour and referred to in the [old] statistical account. Largest cavern in the interior is in Carn a'Mhadi, in Bein Chlibrig, Chisholm more than a hundred years ago,took shelter there, and for some time supported himself by the deer of Bein Chlibrig and the flocks of neighbouring tenants.

Benclibreck or Beinn Clith-bric (Gael. 'strong, spotted mountain'), a mountain in the south of Farr parish, central Sutherland, between Loch Naver and Loch Coir' an Fhearna. Conical Meall an Eoin, its highest point, 3 miles SSE of head of loch Naver, rises to 3154 ft above sea level. A cavern in it, at Carnavaddy, retreat of notable outlaw.

Original coordinates are for Benclibreck corrected coordinates from Streetmap.