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Moonmilk Cave [Raasay]

Raasay, Hallaig, Inverness-shire.

24 Sept. 1989. Found 300 foot plus Milk Stal Cave. Present Nigel Robertson, Douglas Brown and me. [Jim Salvona's Notes]

26 May 1991. 15 m extension to Milk Stal Cave. Present Kevin Dukes and me. [Jim Salvona's Notes]

From the edge of the scarp slope [by Lucky Ewe], we can see a wide, jagged gash, paralleling the coast. There are some other fissures close by. As we near the gash, a stream is seen sinking into a choked depression. The gash turns out to be wide, shallow and easily enterable. A couple of openings on the landward side are noted. Further on, where the gash narrows considerably, Jim enters a low, wide hole. A six-foot climb down leads to a small, bouldery passage. The left wall is covered in moon-milk and it is difficult to avoid. Next is a flat out slide down to a lower continuation. By now the cave is totally covered in moon-milk, of many different kinds. Routes under or over jammed blocks lead eventually to a narrowing where exploration ended. Also spotted in the cave were two stals, one curtain and there set of micro-gours - not bad for sandstone. Hallaig Moonmilk Cave is over 300 feet [90 m] long and probably about 30 feet [9.15 m] deep. [Robertson, 1990]

HALLAIG MOONMILK CAVE Raasay, Highland Region.

Location: If approaching from Dun Caan, walk southeast along the top edge of the scarp until overlooking Hallaig [a large square enclosure with an abandoned and ruinous settlement to the west between it and the escarpment]. Below (the scarp) can be seen a jagged gash which parallels the coast. This is approx. NGR NG 589386. Walk along the floor of this gash to a conspicuous narrowing, Behind boulders and under the landward wall, a wide bedding opens. This is choked but a hole in the floor enters the cave. Hallaig may also be approached from North Fearns, Beinn na Leac.

Description: Climb six feet down the hole to a boulder tube. Moonmilk starts appearing on the left wall. Crouching and crawling leads to a slide to a lower level. Walk forward then go under or over the boulders jammed in the passage. The passage lowers to a crawling tube and continues past the limit of exploration. In most of the cave, the walls and ceiling are covered in thick moonmilk, apparently of different kinds. [Robertson, 1990]

Alternative Names: Milk Stal Cave

Notes: Confirmation of coordinates for Moonmilk Cave is needed.

Hydrographic Feeds: None

Hydrographic Resurgences: None