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Deer Skull Cave [Islay] * Natural Arch (4(E)) [Rubha Bholsa, Islay] * Natural Arch (4(W)) [Rubha Bholsa, Islay] * Natural Arch (3(S)) [Rubha Bholsa, Islay] Apex Dyke Cave [Islay] Dump Cave [Islay] * Natural Arch (3(N)) [Rubha Bholsa, Islay] * Natural Arch (5(N)) [Rubha Bholsa, Islay] Rubha Bholsa (5) [Islay] * Natural Arch (5(S)) [Rubha Bholsa, Islay] Continuation Cave [Islay] * Natural Arch (2(W)) [Rubha Bholsa, Islay] * Natural Arch (2(E)) [Rubha Bholsa, Islay] Rhuba Bholsa (1) [Islay] * Natural Arch (1(S)) [Rubha Bholsa, Islay] Deer Shelter Cave [Islay] * Natural Arch (1(N)) [Rubha Bholsa, Islay] Rubha Bholsa (4) [Islay] Rubha Bholsa (3) [Islay] Rubha Bholsa (2) [Islay] * Cave (1) [Aonan Port an t-Sruthain, Islay] * Natural Arch (7(NE)) [Islay] Mala Bholsa (4) [Islay] Mala Bholsa (3) [Islay] * Cave (2) [Aonan Port an t-Sruthain, Islay] * Natural Arch (7(SW)) [Islay] Aonan Port an t-Sruthain Natural Arch (NW), Islay Aonan Port an t-Sruthain Natural Arches (Middle) [Islay] Aonan Port an t-Sruthain Natural Arches (SE) [Islay] Mala Bholsa Ravine Cave [Islay] Shell Pile Cave [Islay] Water Garden Cave [Islay] Mala Bholsa Trig Point * Natural Arch (6(NE)) [Rubha Bholsa, Islay]
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Rubha Bholsa, Islay, Argyllshire.
| NGR: | NR 37868 78157 |
| WGS84: | 55.92482, -6.19771 |
| Length: | 45 m |
| Vert. Range: | Not recorded |
| Altitude: | 2 m |
| Geology: | Jura Quartzite Formation - Quartzite |
| Tags: | Cave, SeaCave, SSSI |
| Registry: | second |
Raised beach sea cave marked on OS maps.
- - -
15 m wide, 6 m high entrance, Access easy but tidal.
The entrance to this cave is from a little subsidiary cove immediately west of the cove with the arched stack [not mentioned elsewhere in Graham Little's text]. It has an impressive shingle filled entrance. Beyond the flying buttress, the floor is covered in a thick layer of goat droppings but is fairly dry. After 31 m, the cave progressively narrows. [Caves of Islay]
Alternative Names: Flying Buttress Cave?
Notes: The name 'Flying Buttress Cave comes from Graham Little, 2026. This is an architectural term relating to an open half-arch supported on a column with a pinnacle above to give extra weight, which leans again the main wall of a building to counter the outward thrust of the roof load. Coordinates given are NR 3787 7825 but this seems to be a typo for NR 3787 7815.
Hydrographic Feeds: None
Hydrographic Resurgences: None
Links and Resources:
This entry was last updated: 2026-10-24 18:27:25
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