Shield Hill [2]

A partly subtidal rift cave formed of two parallel tunnels which overlap between about 40m and 57m in, to form a chamber 9.1 m wide. The inner tunnel is on the NW side and has a pebble storm beach to just above the HWS line and then levels out.

The entrance is quite narrow, particularly at HW when it is only 0.9 m wide - just enough to slip through with a kayak. The roof is roughly flat - at about 10 m ACD.

Notes: Access: by sea only. Launch from Catterline and go south, or from Inverbervie and go north. Lighting advisable. Best in top 2/3 of tide as this allows the sea kayaker to turn round inside the wider chamber.

Length measured using floats and a line to 45m and an LRF on 27 Feb 21. May be a little short.

Needs a landing to check the inner tunnel and better lighting for interior photos.

Links and Resources:

Not on any OS version.
Sketch plan on Canmore Aerial of part of Shield Hill, Kinneff.
photo 1 Shows the entrance from outside, looking SW, near high water.
photo 2 The entrance from 20 m or so near low water. Note the roughly parallel joint planes leaned about 10 deg to the NW and which narrow as they go down so the ceiling is wedged up. 3 Mar 21.
photo 3 Looking into the entrance near low water on 3 Mar 21.
photo 4 From about 15-20m looking inwards SW.
photo 5 From about 30 m looking inward. The wider part starts on the right just after the rock which is slightly undercut.
photo 6 From about 45 m looking at some seals on the beach lit by headlight.
photo 7 From close to the beach - seals still there - poorly lit but gives some idea of the end beyond the beach.
photo 8 Looking towards the entrance from 45 - 50m and trying to avoid glare.

This entry was last updated: 2021-05-13 13:53:35

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

NGR:	NO 85899 74704
WGS84:	56.86354, -2.23289
Length:	71 m
Vert. Range:	12 m
Altitude:	-1.9 m
Geology:	Gourdon Sandstone Formation
Tags:	Cave, SeaCave
Registry:	main

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