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Farskane's Cave

Portknockie, parish of Rathven, Moray, (Banffshire).

"A large natural cavern, in the cliff, situated on the sea coast, north east of the Village of Portknockie. The proprietor of Farskane, along with two other gentlemen, lived in it for about six weeks in 1715, being obliged to hide themselves for a time during Marr's Rebellion, hence the name."

A supratidal cave with intertidal sea approach. Vertical cliffs to landward and impossible to see far into the cave from cliff or from afloat.

Visited 6 Aug 20. Tricky landing because of swell surge and large, rounded boulders. Unpleasant getting into main part of cave because of a large amount of flotsam and much metallic and plastic jetsam. Last 15 m or so is clear of this and credible as a refuge.

A second entrance on the E side (12m long) is partly blocked by a concreted deposit which appears to be a midden formed from waste tipped from the cliff above.

Alternative Names: None recorded.

Notes: Access: By sea - see above comment.

By swimming from beach on W side.

Aerial suggests that it may be accessible from there by wading at LWS.