Nettle Cave 3

A supratidal sea-cave facing roughly WNW. It has 13 m of overhang. The tunnel from there on follows strike facing NW. Floor goes down by ca 3 m at ca 17 m in before going gently up. There is also a tall alcove on the left (E) about 2m deep and wide. At 23 m it narrows down to a straight on extension on the left (E) side. At 30 m, it jigs left to a narrow end about 3m further on.

Unlike Nettle 3, there is little sign of beach or river rolled pebbles. There are lots of angular rock fragments with slightly rounded edges. The hard rock floor may be metres below the current floor.

Notes: Access: from beach to the west of the cave at low tide. This can be from the Sandy Creek beach on the E side of Findochty. Then round or through Starling Cave and to the W side of Horse Head.

Partially measured and fully photographed inside as of 7/2/25 by N Feilden. Needs tunnel direction to be measured, also altitude and floor to ceiling. (7/2/25 LDM not working).

It may be connected to Nettle Cave 2 - based on air movement detected in that cave. Needs smoke to confirm. See photo 4.

Links and Resources:

1st Ed OS 25 in has 'Nettle Caves'. Current OS dot.
Photo 1 by Ann Burgess. This cave is one from the right (W).
Photo 2 shows the entrances of all four Nettle caves, with #1 on the left (E). Taken 18/7/24 by N Feilden.
Photo 3 is what can be seen from the beach over a talus ridge in front of the entrance. Taken 12/6/24.
Photo 4 looking down slope from the entrance on the talus ridge to the inner tunnel. The only candidate so far for an air connection to Nettle 2 is low down to the left of the main tunnel. Taken 7/2/25.
Photo 5 looking left (ca ENE) to the wall from the same position as photo 4. Taken 7/2/25.
Photo 6 looking along tunnel from the narrower entrance. There is an alcove on the left (E) where the floor is dark from dripping. The grey patch on near right is pigeon guano. Taken 7/2/25.
Photo 7 looking left {ENE} into the damp alcove at ca 23m inside. Asplenium marinum fern. Taken 7/2/25.
Photo 8 looking back up tunnel to the entrance. Feather scatter from peregrine's lunch ? Dip about 33 deg NE. Taken 7/2/25.
Photo 9 at 28 m, the tunnel narrows on the left and continues for another 2 m then zags left for an estimated further 3m. Taken 7/2/25.
Photo 10 looking a bit right from previous photo trying to show some low voids. Taken 7/2/25.
Photo 11 looking towards entrance from about 24 m inside. Note drips. Taken 7/2/25.

This entry was last updated: 2025-02-12 10:41:56

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NGR:	NJ 47437 68362
WGS84:	57.70198, -2.88359
Length:	35 m
Vert. Range:	15 m
Altitude:	15 m
Geology:	Cullen Quartzite Formation - quartzite, psammite & semipelite
Tags:	Cave, SeaCave
Registry:	main

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