Go to the Main Scottish Cave and Mine Database Search Page

Whig's Hole [Altry]

NE of Carsphairn, Altry Hill, Kirkcudbrightshire.

Trench (not a cave).

"A small hollow or trench on Altry Hill where it is said that the Whigs or Cameronians, (as they are usually styled) frequently made use of during the time of the persecution in Scotland both as a place of refuge and of observation, hence the name "Whigs Hole"." [New Statistical Account]

Alternative Names: The Whighole, Whigs Hole Cave

Notes: The Whighole: "'On the farm of Altrye, near the top of a hill, there is a trench which seems to have been digged, capable of containing 100 people. As in this trench one has a view of two different roads, at a comfortable distance, without being observed by those persons who travel upon them; the Whigs or the Cameronians, as they are usually styled, are said to have frequently made use of it during the time of the persecution in Scotland, both as a place of refuge, and of observation. Hence it obtained the name of the Whighole, which it bears to this day.'" [Old Statistical Account]

Name & depression labelled on early OS maps (used for given coordinates), but no obvious surface expression visible on satellite imagery. Depression still marked at given coords on current OS 10k map.

Not to be confused with the Whig Hole (also a depression/trench, not a cave) at Martyrs' Moss in Ayrshire [NS 521 126].