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MacKinnon's Cave [Mull]

Mull, Gribun, Argyllshire.

MacKinnon's Cave is [currently] the second longest sea cave on the west coast of Scotland. The walk to it is 'fairly short' [2.5 miles], boggy & extremely difficult near the cave over large awkward slippery boulders also allowing time to reach the cave and return safely. The cave is only accessible at half tide to low tide (study tide tables before you set off).

A twisting 500 feet long cave, 90 feet high cave entrance with three chambers and three distinct levels. At the rear of the cave if you switch off your torch you will not see your hand in front of your face as no daylight penetrates this area. The conglomerate rock, beach, The cave at the back is stony with sand and the roof allows you to stand up in most places. There is a small stalagmite/stalactite geological feature in the cave. [Walks on Mull]

The cave is formed within Moine metamorphosed sandstones. The "New Red Sandstone" in the form of Triassic conglomerates and sandstones, does occur above an unconformity with the Moine rocks in the cliff at the mouth of the cave. But this is a long way above the cave entrance, about the level of the big overhanging roof. [John Faithfull]

The cave is located in a small area of partly metamorphosed sandstones ans mudstones on the west coast of Mull. The nearest parking is on the B8035 just west of Gribun. It can be reached by a 4 km walk from the road, over fields, then over the tidal beach of large slippery boulders. It is a high-ceilinged sea cave with an imposingly high entrance (28 m) and is 153 m long. The cave ceiling lowers as you preceed into it, but remains high enough for easy walking, and the pebbled beach gives way to compacted sandy earth. Access should not be attempted on a high or rising tide. [Lu Freem]

Alternative Names: None recorded.

Notes: Abbot MacKinnon was concealed in the cave in the 15th century to evade capture by the MacLean clan and then narrowly escaped to the cave of the same name on the Isle of Staffa. There were several MacKinnon Abbots of Iona. John MacKinnon the last Abbot died in1500.

Deep inside the cave lies a large, flat slab of rock, which has come to be known as 'Fingal's Table' and may have been used as an altar by hermits and early followers of the Christian church.

There is also the 'ubiquitous' tale of the piper who tried to outdo the fairies in a piping competition and walked into the cave along with his dog. Only the dog returned, crazed with fear and hairless. Some say the piper went right through the hill and emerged on the other side of the headland at Tiroran on Loch Scridain.

See also MacKinnon's Cave on Staffa. There should also be a MacKinnon's Cave at Loch Scavaig on Skye. After becoming separated from his hunting party the Mackinnon [chief of the clan] spent the night in a cave for shelter. While preparing some venison which he was about to cook over an open fire he was attacked by a wild boar which charged into the cave. Mackinnon then drove the butchered deer's leg into the mouth of the boar, jamming it open, before killing the wild animal.