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Valley Head Cave [lower entrance]

Skye, Torrin, Allt nan Leac, Invernessshire.

Cave - Lower entrance where the Allt nan Leac rises from the base of the Limestone cliff. From the downstream sump of Upper Valley Head Cave, a 1 m dive (minimal airspace in dry weather) leads to a roomy chamber with waist deep water. In 1971, this was the limit of lower cave. A 15 m easy wet crawl to the Vestry, a roomy boulder strewn cavern. At far end, the stream flows under a low arch but a larger opening on right leads into the 5 m high circular Chantry Chamber. Beyond this, a high rift passage swings right, ascends a mud slope and ends abruptly in blank wall with a choked aven above. A 2nd passage off Chantry Chamber, 2 m above floor level, is a 1.2 m diameter tube which runs into a boulder ruckle after 5 m. Climb up and a tight squeeze through boulders leads to another chamber with two routes beyond, ending in solid looking chokes. The stream exit is a 24 m wet crawl, with some ducks, passing a small boulder choked chamber on the left and an almost sumped oxbow on the right, emerging at a grovel round a boulder at the Lower Entrance.

Alternative Names: Cinn Ghlinn (Uamh) [Lower Entrance], Uamh Cinn Ghlinn [lower entrance], Ceann Mullach a' Ghlinne (Uamh) [upper entrance]

Notes: The longest Cave on Skye, a fine sporting through trip. Dug into and explored to the sump by the Moldywarps Speleological Group, Easter 1971. In 1976, Graham Stevens dived the upstream sump into canal passage (1975 extension to Uamh Ceann Mullach a' Ghlinne). A dry high-level passage off Chantry chamber was added 1978 by Arthur Champion & John Flewitt.

See also Upper Valley Head Cave and Cinn Ghlinn (Uamh) [Upper Entrance] [0521].

Hydrographic Feeds: Allt nan Leac

Hydrographic Resurgences: Allt nan Leac