Whaligoe [Overview]

Notes: Coordinates given are for the Public car park at Thge Haven, Whaligoe. There are no caves at this location. Access to the coastal slope and the caves north and south of the Geo is via Whaligoe Steps.

B-listed strucures. Steps: mid 18th century, with substantial renovations and repairs, early 19th century. Flight 330 flagstone steps descending precipitous cliffside from former curing station to quay. Quay; early 19th century, raised rubble platform quay onto which boats were hauled from sea below. Part of winch survives on platform. [HES]

"Though the height of one of these rocks is surprising yet the country people have made steps by which they go up and down carrying heavy burdens on their back; which a stranger without seeing would scarcely believe......" (1774). [Pennant]

Links and Resources:

Oldham, Tony, 2007, Caves of Scotland: A Bibliography, p. 193. Vague 6 digit coordinates only. Thomas Pennant, Tour In Scotland, 1769 (3rd. ed. 1774), p.334.
John Baldwin, (ed) Caithness, A Cultural Crossroads, 1982, pp.137-144.
Pastmap, Historic Environment Scotland (HES), Listed Buildings. portal.historicenvironment.scot/apex/f?p=1505:300:::::VIEWTYPE,VIEWREF:designation,LB14070. Description of Listed Structures. No mention of caves.
Highland Historic Environment Record (HHER). her.highland.gov.uk/monument/MHG1573. Images of Steps and Quay. No caves.
canmore.org.uk/collection/1675517. Long range, aerial photo; shows what appears to be two cave entrances north of steps (three marked on OS maps). Probably not accessible except by kayak.
canmore.org.uk/collection/2566265. With eye of faith and some idea of what to look for it is just possible to spot the cave entrance immediately north of the steps on a very dark (shadowed) part of the cliff. There is an even darker image but the caves are lost in the shadows.
canmore.org.uk/collection/1675354. Fourth cave (Sandy Cave) is not visible in shadowed bay south of main geo.

This entry was last updated: 2024-10-07 18:29:25

Errors or omissions in this information? Submit corrections/additions/comments for this entry to the registrars.

NGR:	ND 31990 40355
WGS84:	58.34640, -3.16352
Length:	Not recorded
Vert. Range:	Not recorded
Altitude:	Not recorded
Geology:	Berriedale Sandstone Formation - Siltstone, Mudstone And Sandstone
Tags:	Other
Registry:	second

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