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Valley of the Wrens Sink

Assynt, Allt nan Uamh, Sutherland.

3 m deep dig down a fissured vertical bedrock face.

2.75 m long, 1 m wide, 3 m deep slot at side of streamway (taking small stream when found) below small rock outcrop. Stream diverted by constructing dam. Trickle of water still disappearing out of sight down narrow crack.

Dig mostly gravels and small stones with some larger rocks. Rock face contains of a band of soft yellowish limestone below flaky dark grey rock. Possible voids towards downstream end of dig.

Alternate Names: None recorded.

Notes: Found by Julian Walford and John Heathcote on the weekend of the 2019 GSG Christmas dinner, 14/12/2019. Digging by Julian, John, Martin Hayes and John Crae. Some evidence that the stream had previously been diverted into the fissure.

Further digging at New Year.

No known risings in dry stream bed below sink. It is recommended to use spoil to reinforce the dam. If the sink becomes enterable, it may be necessary to artificially support the side of the dig.