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Soap Cave

South Morar, Loch nan Ceall, Arisaig, Invernessshire.

Easternmost of a group of three raised beach sea caves.

Three large caves were recorded at WPs 23, 24 and 26.

A pleasant coastal and hill walk round the Rhu Peninsula begins with a visit to the Soap Cave then onwards to Port na Murrach. [Wildlochaber]

The cave at WP 26 is locally known as the Soap Cave (Uamh an t-Siabain) and has a 2m high mortared stone built wall across the entrance, with a doorway and integral flue, and was probably used for the kelp industry, and certainly for camping in more recent times, shown by 1930's graffiti. [RBA]

'Soap Cave' (Uamh an t-Siabain) - natural wide fissure in cliff side walled off with mortared stone walling to c. 2 mtrs high on the right and 3 mtrs high on the left with a doorway with a lintel in the centre. The wall does not extend up to roof height. Flat dry earth inside with graffitted walls to the right of the doorway. Possibly used for the kelp industry and used for camping over the years. Soil in cave revealed layers of ash/burning and a flue was observed on the right hand walling looking into the cave. It is thought that most likely the cave was used for storing the product of burning seaweed i.e. Kelp. [RBA]

Gur iomagh baladh ciadach 'Tha sios taobh Deas an Loch, Eadar Uamh an T-sibuinn' 'S Cille Chriosd gun stoc, Tha Gaodaill 's ach-a-ghaothaidh, An cnuic lan fraoich gun sugh

An Tor-Beithe 's Ard Ghasaig Am Baile Ard 's Cnoc an T-shiul. [Moladh Arisaig]

There are many elegant walls Down by the south side of the Loch, Between the soap cave And treeless Kilchrist There's Gaodeil and the field of the winds Their hillocks covered with sapless heather Birchwood and Ardgasaig The High Lands and the Hill of the Sails. [In Praise of Arisaig]

Gaoithe Dail (Windy Field) was cleared of 10 families in 1829 by Lady Ashburton and this farm was also added to the tack, or tenancy, of Mains Farm. Some of the evicted people emigrated and some sought shelter in Ardnish. In 1842, Angus MacEachin, brother of Ronald who was evicted from Sandaig, and his daughter, Catherine, were cleared from Gaoithe Dail. The only shelter they could find, was in Uaimh an t- Siabuin, (the Soap Cave) near the old Rhu Pier until Mrs MacDonell came to their rescue and they went to stay at am Bàs a little community near Traigh. Others went to Moidart, to Alexander MacDonald, Gregor's elder brother, on the Loch Shiel estate. [Westword]

Alternative Names: t-Siapuinn (Uamh an), Uamh an t-Siapuinn, t-Siabain (Uamh an), Uamh an t-Siabain, Soap (Cave of the), Soapwort Cave

Notes: Although usually translated as Soap Cave at least one translation mentions Soapwort (Lus an t-Siapuinn). Siapuinn is the usual spelling, Siabain, Siabuin and Sibuinn also appear.