Go to the Main Scottish Cave and Mine Database Search Page

Gob na Muce Natural Arch

St Kilda, Dun, Invernessshire.

A natural arch cut by waves acting on a weaknes in the rock through the base of the cliff at the east end of Gob an Duin, on the island olf Dun, St Kilda. Immediately to the east is the low, rocky headland of Gob na Muce (rising less than 10 m above sea level) at the southeast of Dun, St Kilda. The natural arch is aligned roughly NNE to SSW [from NF 10994, 897126 to NF 10976, 897107].

Alternative Names: Pig's Snout Natural Arch

Notes: Sizes estimated from maps and photographs.

Gob in Gaelic means a bird's beak or bill , hence gob in Scots meaning mouth and Gobair (Gobby) meaning a talkative person but here the meaning is closer to nose meaning point, headland or promontory.

Muce, Muc or Muic means Pig and Muice is the genetive form (meaning belonging to a Pig). As it is impossible that pigs would survive on this low inter-tidal rock, this is either a reference to the appearance of the east end of Dun or possibly to seals (a female seal is usually a cow but might also be a a sow).

Hydrographic Feeds: Atlantic Ocean

Hydrographic Resurgences: Atlantic Ocean