Go to the Main Scottish Cave and Mine Database Search Page

Uamh Ailean Mhic Raonuill

Inchnacardoch Forest, Fort Augustus, Invernessshire.

Cave marked on estate map and OS maps at bend in Allt Dail a' Chuirn above Eas Dail a' Chuirn, east of Meal nan Cearran.

Kilmalomaig (cemetery dedicated to Saint Molua) - Perhaps the most interesting spot in the enclosure is the grave in the north-west angle of the wall, marked by a little mound, but without tombstone of any kind. Here lies buried Allan Macranald of Lundy, a notorious never of the Glengarry sept, and popularly known as "Allan of the Red Shirt." His misdeeds are almost endless, both in number and variety. Towards the end of his life, in the days of his failing strength, he is said to have paid a mason to construct a mysterious hiding-place for him at Loch Lundy, the secret of which was to be revealed to none. The mason successfully performed his task and presented himself to Allan for payment. The Red-Shirt hero having satisfied himself that the workman had faithfully performed his trust, struck off his head and flung the body in the loch, quietly remarking that a secret can never be safely kept if known to more than one. [Glen Albyn]

Alternative Names: Allan Ronald's son's Cave, Allan McRonald's Cave

Notes: This Ailean Mhic Raonuill is he who was sent in command of the Macdonells of Glen Garry to avenge the death of Augus, Glengarry's eldest son, who had been slain by the Mackinzies on the west coast of Ross shire. Early in the 17 century a number of the Mackinzies who were assembled at prayer in Cillie Christ (Christs Church) (Near Buely) on a Sunday morning, were suprised by the above party of MacDonells. They surrounded the building, sit it on fire and relentlessly massacred by the fire or the sword, without exception - man, woman , and child. They then divided into two bands, one of which was overtaken on the banks of Loch Ness, the other in the public house near Inverness. These last met with retribution precisely in kind, while the former were overpowered by superior numbers, and put to the Sword. Ailean Mac Raonuill having made his escape, took refuge among the rocks of Eas Dail a'Chuirn, and bringing a mason along with him, built this Cave, and killed the mason when the cave was finished, lest he should make his pursuers acquainted with his place of concealment. The cave is now fallen in and can be termed nothing more that a heap of stones. [ScotlandsPlaces]