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Wallace's Cave [Cleland House]

Cleland, Ravenscraig Plantation, Lanarkshire.

Cave (remains of) with man-made alterations.

"On the bank of the Calder is a cave which is said to have been a hiding place in troublous times." [Chalmer's Caledonia]

William Wallace, Alexander Peden and the Covenanters are commonly associated with caves in Scotland, but it is rare to find one in which both the Covenanters and Wallace allegedly hid. [Jardine]

"Upon the north bank of the Calder, in the middle of the steep rock upon which the house of Cleland stands, is a large natural cave, which has been partly improved by art, capable of holding 40 or 50 men, and of difficult access. The entry was secured by a door and an iron gate fixed in the solid rock. The fireplace, and part of the chimney and floor, still remain. The tradition is, that it was used as a place of concealment in the troublesome times of the country, as far back as the gallant patriot Sir William Wallace, - perhaps by the hero himself, and his trusty band; also during the violent feuds between the house of Cleland and Lauchope; and especially in the convulsions of this country under the Charles's." [Fullarton's Gazetteer].

The Rock in which the cave is stands about 50 feet high above the Calder, immediately south or below "Cleland House". The "Cave" , well known throughout Bothwell Parish as "Wallace's Cave", stands about 10 feet from the top of the rock & from the ledge or flat standing ground of the "Cave" like covering of it is about 12 feet in height. There are some remains of a chimney cut in the rock, & some holes cut on the flat ledge, or standing places, as if for posts to stand in. It does not present much of the appearance of a cave now, but it is said, that the rock has fallen from the top or roof, and also from the ledge or flooring. The latter has considerably given way within the memory of the Factor & Gamekeeper [c. 1800]. "Wallace's Cave" is not now a cave being merely a projecting ledge of rock not capable of standing room for more than a dozen persons. It is difficult to get at. [ScotlandsPlaces]

The remains of this cave are located in the centre of a cliff-face, making approach quite arduous. Rock-falls have reduced it simply to its back wall and a narrow ledge for its floor. It cannot now be described as a cave. No information, other than the traditional association with Sir William Wallace, was obtained relating to this cave. [Canmore]

In the middle of the steep rock upon which the house of Cleland stands, is a large natural cave which has been partly improved by art, capable of holding 40-50 men, and of difficult access. The entry was secured by a door and an iron gate. The fireplace and part of chimney and floor still remain. The tradition is that it was used as a place of concealment in the troublesome times of the country as far back as Sir William Wallace, perhaps by the hero himself. [OSA]

Two or three minutes' walk from the house one reaches a precipitous bank, at the bottom of which the South Calder runs, tumbling and foaming - this is the " Glen," a wild and romantic spot, and here is a cave, said to be Wallace's Cave, where the hero at one time took hiding. Some few years ago this spot narrowly escaped destruction by a landslip. The sides of the Glen are well covered with trees and luxuriant in ferns. [J.B. Cleland, 1903]

Alternative Names: None recorded.

Notes: Raven's Craig - A steep & precipitous rock overhanging the Calder. Well known by the name, which is given to other objects in the vicinity. A cave called "Wallace's Cave" is opposite the angle formed by "Ravens Craig" on the Bothwell Side of the River. [ScotlandsPlaces]

At Orbiston XII-9 Trace 6. there is another "Wallace's Cave" and both are generally known in the Parish as names. [ScotlandsPlaces]

There have been three Cleland Houses. The earliest was built c. 1450. The second was built c. 1535 and stood till at lea 1711 when "Clelandtown with tower and fortalice" were up for sale. The second Cleland house was demolished in 1780 by Captain Hew Dalrymple of Fordal, the then owner, who built the third Cleland house. The third Cleland House was built c. 1804 in the Palladian style of William Adam. It burnt down in August 1957. The site is now occupied by the clubhouse of Dalziel Park. [J. Jackson]

Hydrographic Feeds: None

Hydrographic Resurgences: None