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Bruce's Cave (Kintore)

Ardtannes, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire.

Bruce's Cave appears to have been at the site given above. Although it no longer exists, there is a cleft in the ground, at this point where the bank has fallen into the river. (Canmore)

'This cave was where King Robert Bruce spent the night before the battle of Barra (or Old Meldrum - AD 1308).'

A Watt 1864.

The cave was blown up during WW2. The cave site is in a steep bank on the outside of a sharp bend in the river Don. Live ordnance grenade throwing was done from the field opposite into the river by Army and Home Guard personnel. It is not clear whether it was deliberate or accidental. (William Tennant)

'Bruce's Cave is a crevice in a shelving rock at the junction of the parishes in the River Don, said to have concealed the King after being defeated by some Highland Clan and previous to his encamping on Shaw Hill.' OS Namebook. The parishes are Kintore and Kemnay and this reference is in the Kintore volume.

Alternative Names: None recorded.

Notes: Alt is asl based on OS contours.

A present day photo would be good.

Lord Pitsligo's Cave and Tailor's Castle (a stack) are also said to have been blown up during WW2.