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Ardwell Cave

Ardwell Bay, Wigtownshire.

Raised beach sea cave near Ardwell. Probably between Red Cave and Black Cave.

The site was known as Sheep Rink Cave and was once the home of William Purvis. From the photographs it appears that he had resided in the cave for some time as there is considerable evidence of the installation of a door and rough stone blocks giving some protection from the weather. There are two postcards of the man and the site indicating that he was famous, if only locally, making it viable to publish picture postcards of him. Both cards date from c. 1905, the earliest, printed in Germany, has no retailer or publisher imprint. The second card was published by one Henry, a draper in Glenluce. [Dave Irwin]

The cave that is reputed to have been that of William Purvis, the ex-circus clown & strongman is pictured in a series of ring bound cards produced jointly by the 'Solway Firth Partnership", Dumfries & Galloway' & 'The Coastal Communities Fund. It appears in the set of cards called, 'Where Every Place Tells A Story'. The same cave is pictured in a set of ring bound cards entitled, 'Scotlands Southern Coast, Caves & Graves. Each one gives a different 6 figure map reference. One gives a What3Words reference. [Mark Dixon]

Not marked on modern maps, a niche in the rocks in Ardwell Bay called Sheep Hank or Sheeps' Rink Co' became the home of Will Purves in the late 1800s. A former clown and strongman in a travelling circus he took up residence in this modest seaside home and undertook odd jobs for local farmers. He was an enterprising man and had a series of picture postcards made of himself that he sold to people who were curious enough to visit the remote location and sign his visitor's book. Will Purves eventually moved into a summerhouse near Ardwell before ending his days in the Poorhouse in Stranraer.

Poem by Patrick Scott Hogg, Cumbernauld, 1991, Ballad Of A Man Who Left The City To Live In A Cave - William Purvis: The Ardwell Caveman - SW Scotland.

Twixt Portpatrick and Ardwell bay, In the south Rhins of Galloway, There is a cave, weel hid away, Upon a rocky shore.

Doon thru the hawthorn, gorse and whun, A weel trod path does wind and run, It's there Will Purvis chose to shun, The world o' money lore.

His face was known in every town, As a travellin', smiling clown: Twas then he chose to settle down, In 1894.

His comfort was a seat and bed, To rest his aged limbs and head, And when the sun set glowing red, The stars he did explore.

What tranquil balm and peace of mind, Comes unto him who leaves behind, The paths of fame, yet riches find, 'Mid Nature's simple store?

Here, gulls cry wild upon the breeze, Waves rise and gently fall with ease, And Time, it passes as you please, When Summer's come once more.

Here, one wicked wild west wintry gale, Waves crashed and roared in angry wail, Ae night nae demon would set sail, And, Will was seen no more...

When salt spray flies o'er the Pan bay, A white-bearded ghost, so they say, Walks to the sea at break of day, Upon that eerie shore.

A seabird chorus from afar, Sings the cliff-top rocky scaur, "The wind and sea know where you are.", Will Purvis is no more!

Alternative Names: Sheep Rink Cave, Sheep Hank Cave

Notes: Like many caves with supposedly 'historic' connections the actual locations can be a bit vague, sometimes with the same name applied to several locations. There are other locations supposedly connected to Will Purvis which might be more likely locations.

See also Beardie's Co', Beardies Cave, Coordinates differ? References to Will Purvis associated with Sheep Hank located approx. 100 m North of Red Cave.

Sheep Hank - ½ Mile North of Ardwell Bay. A considerable rock situate to the South of Black Cave, the East side slopes to the base of the [precipice] shore. Sheep are sometimes on it. The name Hank is most probably a corrupted word for Haunt. [Scotland's Places]

Hydrographic Feeds: Irish Sea

Hydrographic Resurgences: Irish Sea