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Waterloo Cave

Little Cumbrae, Waterloo Point, Buteshire.

Raised Beach Sea Cave. There is a large cave at Waterloo-bight called Ryssel-cave. W Lytteil 1886.

Waterloo, or Russell, Cave is a dry cave, about 8ft wide, 16ft deep, and up to 5ft high. Excavation revealed layers of shells, bones (none human) and black earth, similar to those from the Obanian cave at Freeland (NS15SE 10). No artifacts nor other datable material was found. D N Marshall 1938; A D Lacaille 1954

The cave is generally as described above, the entrance being at the base of the cliff about 80 metres from the shore. The cave is known locally by both of the names given by Marshall, but 'Waterloo' is the more popular. No confirmation could be obtained for either spelling of 'Russell'.

Ryssel's Cave is amongst one of the many caves on Wee Cumbrae. Located at Waterloo-bight, it is also known as the Cave of Champions. [PYPT]

Alternative Names: Russell Cave , Ryssel-cave, Cave of Champions.

Notes: Visited by OS (JTT) 5 November 1964.

The general field survey of the island was intended to report on the condition of known sites and to identify and record any new sites. The survey was carried out by members of ACFA and the Cowal Archaeology & Historical Society in March 1996. A copy of the full report has been lodged with the NMRS.

The name Waterloo is derived from the wreck of a vessel named Waterloo which ran aground on a ledge of rocks, between the high & low water marks. Waterloo Cave is the largest of the three Caves in the Little Cumbray, it consists of a chamber of about 30 x 30 links [6 x 6 m], with a pretty wide entrance. Here it is said (by the persons quoted) that the shipwrecked crew of the "Waterloo" took refuge for a time; and since then has borne the name. [Scotland's Places]