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Cailleach Bheag Ruaival (Uamh-na)

St. Kilda, Hirta, Invernessshire.

Sea Cave, Raised Beach Cave

Alternative Names: Old Woman's Cave, Little Old Ladies of Ruaival (Cave of), mCalliach Bheag Rhuaival (Uamh), Cave of the Little Old Ladies of Ruaival

Notes: See also Old Woman's Cave, St. Kilda.

Coordinates from Streetmap

The cailleach, an old woman, witch, or mothergoddess figure is associated in Gaelic tradition with places outside the domesticated sphere of the baile or infield areas (Newton 2009: 227-31). On Hirte she is associated with Uamh Cailleach Bheag Ruaibhal, the Cave of the Old Woman of Ruaival. She features in a tale reported from Hiort from the 17th to the 20th centuries about the burning of the population in the church. This story is found in many places in the West of Scotland, and is a good example of how wider regional traditions become associated with local legends and landscape features. [Kevin Grant]