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Mhic Eoin Riabhaich (Uamh)

Cowal, Hell's Glen, W of Monevechadan, Argyllshire.

Perhaps better known as Ardkinglass Cave (despite its official OS Gaelic designation and a multitude of translations) This cave, given its location and historical descriptions, is a boulder cave within the gaps between fallen rocks from the cliff above, possibly leading to a chamber in the bedrock of the hill below (the larger chamber described might also be within the boulder pile).

There are a number of descriptions of the cave:

In face of steep hill, small area between 2 rocks, small opening mouth covered & hidden by thick heath & ferns. Narrow troublesome passage 6' long leads to chamber 10' long 6 ' wide & 8' high.. 4' up is small opening to 2nd chamber 15' long by 12' high. Narrow rugged passage to 3rd chamber 24' long 15' high & 15' wide. Rocks covered in 'petrified water' (calcite).Two rocks meeting cover it like a house. Dark cave beyond nearly same dimensions as the 1st.

A very remarkable cave at the foot of "Creag an Fhithich" situated on the southern slope of "Gleann Beag" [Hell's Glen] - the mouth is arched like and is about four feet high naturally formed through the cavity of the rock - from the mouth inwards there is a gradual incline forming a passage to Compartments or Chambers. These Chambers according to tradition were used as places of concealment during troublesome periods. The more remarkable are recorded in the Stat. Acct. [Statistical Account] of the Parish. There is another cave further west, but of little importance. Pronounced by Authorities as if written (Uav macque Eion Reoch). Sig [Signification] Son of Swarthy John's Cave.

At foot of high cliff above Moses Well, Hell's Glen, Campbell's Cave below tremendous rock where smaller rocks torn by some convulsion. Entry 4' high 3' wide. Roughly circular 70' diameter, 10' high. Smaller vaults all round & narrow passage to small chamber. Covered by large rocks thrown on one another Dry but dark. Sanctuary to Laird of Ardkinglas who defeated by enemy retreated into hiding for over a year, food supplied by locals.

"There are in the parish a great number of natural caves, vaults & grottoes, of different forms & dimensions. One of these caves is situated a little below a very high & tremendious rock. The entry to it is in the form of an Arch about 4 ft. high & 3 broad. The Cave itself is very spacious, of a circular figure, but not perfectly regular. It is more than 70 ft. in circumference and about 10 ft. in height. All around the Cave there are smaller vaults, resembling cellars, and from one part of it a narrow passage leads to a small apartment not unlike a sleeping chamber.

Among rocks in parish of Loch Goil Head are a great number of natural caves, vaults, grottos of different forms and dimensions. One is situated below a high and tremendous rock from which smaller rocks seem to have been torn either by lightning or some convulsion of the earth. Among smaller rocks is cave already mentioned. Entry in form of arch 4ft high by 3 ft broad. cave itself spacious, circular but not regular, more than 70 ft in circumference and about 10 ft in height. All around cave are smaller vaults resembling cellars. From one part narrow passage leads to small apartment not unlike a sleeping chamber. cavew covered by large no of rocks.Within perfectly dry but having npo light except through the passage mentioned. Cave remarkable as refuge of Laird of Arkinglas who hid there with a few folloers for a year. From this it is called Hamb-mhei sain-beorch (Uamh Mhei Sain Reoich).

Alternative Names: Ardkerilas Cave, Ardkinglass Cave, Mhei Sain Reoich (Uamh), The Sons of Swarthy John (Cave of), Uamh Mhic Iain Reoich, Swarthy John's Cave., Clan Campbell's Cave, Campbell's Cave, Children of the Grey Eaglets (Cave of the), Cave of Grey Iain

Notes: The alternative name given relating to 'grey eaglets' is a literal translation probably made by someone with no knowledge of local history (or much knowledge of Gaelic). The most likely English translation is 'the Cave of the Sons of Grey Iain'. In Scots - Grey Iain and Swarthy John are interchangeable)'. Hence the link to the descriptions of Ardkinglass Cave.

Uamh Mhei Sain Reoich is probably the result of scanning errors, a better interpretation being Uamh Mhic Eoin Reoich (another variant of the official Gaelic name). The sons of Swarthy John is just another term for Clan Campbell. The sons of Swarthy John (the family of Ardkinglass). Possibly Swarthy John, son of John McGregor of Loch Tullich, Glenurchay but more likely John Cambell of Lochnell, 2nd son of 3rd Earl of Argyll who as a child was reputedly held in a fire until he was permanently blue with the smoke. After killing a servant of Campbell of Auchinbbreck, he fled the slain man's kin and hid in a cave known as Leaba Fholuich (sic leaba follaich - hidden bed?).

This cave is remarkable for having been the sanctuary of one of the lairds of Ardkinglass; who according to tradition of the country, having been defeated & oppressed by some powerful neighbour, was obliged to conceal himself, and a few followers in this cave for a whole year, during which his retreat was not discovered by the enemy. It is called from this incident Uamh Mhic Iain Reoich - "Hoi Iain Reoich".

It is likely Swarthy John was actually heavily pock marked or freckled (see OSA & NSA). Slice of Paradise quotes NSA:

Unfortunately the same legend in recent years also been attached to Uamh na Plunderain which is located about 1 km down stream.

Hydrographic Feeds: None

Hydrographic Resurgences: None