Go to the Main Scottish Cave and Mine Database Search Page

Wallace's Cave [Dumbuck Hill]

Dumbarton, Dumbuck, Dumbartonshire.

A Cave or Rockshelter on the southwest of Dumbuck Hill. An overhang can be seen at the top of the hill; what old maps call "Rhymer's Cave" was located below this. As seen from the adjacent shore, there are two rocky crags at the southern end of Dumbuck Quarry; The first-edition OS map (before the quarrying) shows Wallace's Cave beside the eastern crag, and Rhymer's Cave on the western side of the western crag (the map does not pinpoint their locations exactly).

Alternative Names: None recorded.

Notes: The place pointed out as his & his men's hiding place, which is called "Wallace's Cave" upon the authorities opposite (Mr Geils of Dumbuck and Mr. Blackstop (sic. George Blackstock, land steward of Dumbuck Estate)), is a wooded hollow on the top between a small ledge of rock & the main or steep rock falling to the road below. The hollow would easily conceal one or two hundred men & commands Dumbarton Castle too.

The most likely site is on the line of the quarry access road so the cave and the hollow are now lost.

The name Wallace's Cave requires little further comment; the name of William Wallace is associated with other caves in which, according to tradition, he took refuge; Havoc Hole, also known as Wallace's Cave, in the former sea-cliffs at the raised beach at Havoc. He was associated with the cave at Dumbuck for the same reason; tradition has it that he took refuge here several times.

Hydrographic Feeds: None

Hydrographic Resurgences: None