Cave of Raplin

It is very tall - at least 22 m ACD and has an upper part that could only be investigated by drone. At sea level, it is too narrow to enter at all with the tide level more than about 1.8 m ACD, but about 5m inside there is a jammed block which needs a tide level below about 1.3 m to kayak under. There is 20 m of navigable channel at this tide level and (at least) a further 8 m beyond (measured by LDM) which may be swimmable, particularly at tide level below 1.0 m ACD. The extent of the tunnel high up is unknown.

This cave was entered on 24/7/25 at tide level 1.7 m ACD and very low swell. There is a narrow 0.76 m wide part of the channel which you have to hand (or elbow) through before the roof closure. It was not possible to go in more than 5 m as the headroom under a jammed rock was too low. A bit later it was possible to get under this comfortably at a 1.3 m tide level.

Links and Resources:

CPNA. Mlne, John, 1904, Celtic Place Names in Aberdeenshire.
1st Ed OS 25in indicates about 30 m length.
The OS Namebook for Cruden parish, Aberdeenshire has: "This is a long narrow cave, situated on the south side of the Gray Mare."
Photo 1 shows the context around the entrance. Taken 24/7/25.
Photo 2 shows the entrance fairly near HW on 5 Jul 18.
Photo 3 shows the entrance near a 1.3 m low tide on 8 Jul 21. It is significantly wider near low tide than at high tide.
Photo 4 just outside at 1.1 m tide level. At high tide the narrow part higher up prevents entry. Taken 24/7/25.
Photo 5 taken from about the entrance - it is a bit difficult to exactly place this because of the high ceiling height. The tunnel is blocked above at this tide level. Taken 24/7/25.
Photo 6 from photo 5 location, looking up to show the high level tunnel. Note the bronze coloured algal crust - probably Hildenbrandia rubra.
Photo 7 also from photo 5 location looking up at the ceiling and the left (south) wall.
Photo 8 inside looking at the end of the kayak navigable part when the tide level was 1.2 m. The tunnel continues at least 8 m beyond the triangular opening - measured by laser distance meter. Taken 24/7/25.

This entry was last updated: 2025-07-26 18:16:04

Errors or omissions in this information? Submit corrections/additions/comments for this entry to the registrars.

NGR:	NK 11017 37416
WGS84:	57.42696, -1.81819
Length:	28 m
Vert. Range:	24 m
Altitude:	-3.5 m
Geology:	Peterhead Granite
Tags:	Cave, SeaCave
Registry:	main

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