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Bruce's Cave [Kirkpatrick Fleming]

Kirkpatrick Fleming, Cove, Dumfriesshire.

Cave at Cove House, Kirkpatrick-Fleming, Dumfriesshire. - This rather peculiar specimen is situated some 130 yards southwest of the house, and on the precipitous cliffs of the Kirtle Water. The Cave is commonly called Bruce's cave. [Coles, 1911]

A small cave formed in a red sandstone of a cliff on the Cove Estate in Kirkpatrick Flemming, is said to be the place where Robert the Bruce went into hiding on 1306 [one of many], 30 ft above the Kirtle River. The cave is about 12 feet in diameter and only about 7 feet at it's highest point. Numerous carvings and graffitti mark visits over the years, some dated around the late 1800's. Although access today is by a pathway provided by the local council in 1929, previous visitors had to be lowered on a rope over the overhang, from which they would swing into the cave. Needless to say, this resulted in many accidents. A stone inset above the cave entrance bears the following inscription; "Within this cave Kynge Robert the Bruce from Foes pursuant sought a truce like my forbears who for him fell I Irvingarde doe guard it well".

At a much later time, as late as the 13th century, Robert the Bruce came, in hot haste along this Borderer's road, to take shelter in Bonshaw Tower, the footsteps of the emissaries of Edward Longshanks echoing behind him. This road passes the Cave in which Bruce was concealed from his pursuers. It is supposed to have been excavated by the Druids and was hollowed out in the smooth, sheer face of the red limestone [sic. sandstone] that rises to the height of a hundred feet above the Kirtle at that point. Its door of entrance is covered today, as it must have been when Bruce took shelter there, by trailing vines, and is high on the rock and could only have been found by the initiated. This cave is about ten or twelve feet high in the middle of the dome- shaped roof, and 12 by 12 feet from wall to wall. A crazy, rotten bridge makes its whereabouts known to-day, and a stout person risks his life who determines to walk across it to enter " Bruce 's Cave. " Still, in default of ladders, the risk is often made. [Irvine, 1908 ]

In 1927, the council built a footpath to the cave. [Showcaves.com]

Four miles north of the border, just west of the A 74 Carlisle to Abbington Road, at Kirkpatrick Fleming. The route to the cave is well signposted. The cave consists of a small chamber 12 ft. in diameter in which Robert the Bruce is reputed to have hidden from the English. The cave is in a red sandstone cliff about 30 ft. above the river Kirtle Water and until 1927 could only be reached by being lowered on a rope over the overhang and swinging to the cave. Because of the many accidents the council decided to build the present footpath so that the cave may be inspected in comfort. A rather extortionate charge, which includes viewing the relics in the nearby house, is made for admission, which does not really justify the visit. [WCC, 1964]

The cave may have originated as a natural cavity however its enlargement with access via ropes would have provided a secure hiding place for valuables and charters from Dunskellie Castles during border raids or wars. As early as 1408, the name 'Cove' (Scots for cave) was used instead of Dunskellie or Dunskelly as the name of the estate. In 1794, it was regarded as an antiquity but without any reference to the local legend that Robert the Bruce hid from the English soldiers here for several months in 1306, provided with food and drink by his supporter William Irving, Laird of Dunskellie. [Mercer, 1992]

This cave consists of a small chamber 12 feet in diameter, in which Robert Bruce is reputed to have hidden from the English. As all schoolboys know, Robert Bruce had his life changed by a spider as he watched it try time and time again to weave its web across the cave entrance. This inspired him to return again to his fight against the English. Today the cave is still populated by spiders, perhaps the descendants of the original one seen by Robert Bruce. The cave is carved out of a red sandstone cliff, about 30 feet above the river, Kirtle Water, and until 1927 could only be reached by being lowered on a rope over the overhang, and swinging into the cave. Because of the many accidents the council decided to build the present footpath so that the cave might be inspected in comfort. [Oldham, 1972]

Alternate Names: Bruce's Cave [1], Gretna Cave, Dunskellie Grotto

Notes: Now within the Bruce's Cave Caravan Site. Open Summer only, [currently the fee is 35p + 20p for parking]

A four metre long and half metre deep bench cut into the cliff lies around 2 metres above the Kirtle Water beneath am overhanging section of the cliff below Bruce's Cave. Cut into the rock is the inscription 'M--- Irving, 1794' and many other rock-cut graffiti are present.

Hydrographic Feeds: None

Hydrographic Resurgences: None