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Stalactite Cave

Whiting Ness, Arbroath, Angus, (Forfarshire).

This substantial sea cave has a cross-like form with northern, eastern, southern and western branching passageways, all of which have their own distinct character and radiate from an impressively sizeable central chamber. For the majority of visitors, the lofty ca. 50 metre long southern passage and associated entrance is the main thoroughfare, with some remnant flowstone formations being visible above the high tide mark

Once a distinctive rock shelf ('Thumbs Up Rock') located within the central chamber is reached, the western passage extends off to the left for a distance of 42 metres, the first half of which is floored by a karst-like pavement of red sandstone bedrock before the passage becomes covered in coarse shingle. Along the final eleven metres of this passage, the walls are coated in thick flowstone formations. The eastern passageway has similar dimensions to that of the south, although the full 36 metre length of this is filled with water (mostly several metres deep), even at low tide.

The shorter, northern passage extends for 20 metres, consisting of walkable passage with another pavement-like floored section at first before gradually closing down to a sand-covered flat crawl. Midway through, a wider and 2.5 metre high aven chamber contains a variety of white flowstone and stalactite formations whilst a large tree trunk that is well jammed into part of the ceiling currently forms another interesting feature a few metres further on. A peculiar and distinct feature of the beach deposits within this section is the conspicuous abundance of sea-worn glass & pottery fragments (cf. former use as a goods store).

The majority of the cave can be walked through during low tide conditions, although it becomes flooded in its entirety at high tide.

Alternative Names: None recorded.

Notes: This cave, which is one of the most extensive sea caves on mainland Scotland, has two entrances:

i) A SW entrance located at the end of a steep-sided tidal inlet that cuts through the wave-cut platform. Although the boulder/block-floored entrance is dry at low tide, the seaward part of this SW inlet is permanently flooded, hence a short ca. 10m swim is typically required to gain access (although rope access down to the exposed section could provide a dry route under favourable conditions).

ii) A permanently-flooded eastern entrance at NO 66313 41262 (see registry entry #5140). This is located at the head of the obvious cliff-sided inlet known as Monk & Maiden's Leap, accessible only by boat [although on 30 June 25, using full wetsuits & buoyancy aids for swimming in calm sea conditions, a GSG party achieved a straightforward through-trip of this cave en-route to additional through-trips of Yellow Rock Cave & Mermaid's Kirk Cave]. At high tide (above 4.1 m ACD and perhaps up to about 5.0 m) it is possible to kayak from one entrance to the other. 4.4 m was fine on 23 June 18.

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Excerpt from G. Hay, 1867: "A short distance east from this cavern [Barricaded Cave, registry site #1663] is the one that has been called the Stalactite Cave. It has two entrances, separated from each other by many hundred feet. The western entrance is a narrow gorge, opening out on the sea shore. This gorge had got filled up with fallen rocks, and it appears that the existence of the cavern had been long unknown prior to September 1842, when the gorge was opened and the cavern explored. The cave consists of two chambers, one larger than the other, but both of very considerable dimensions. The eastern entrance, which is through a tunnel at the base of a tall perpendicular cliff, can only be approached by boat. The sea flows in at both entrances, the waves meeting at full tide in the middle of the cavern, producing a reverberating noise which, especially in storms, is truly terrific. The roof and sides of the cavern were studded with stalactites, but many of these beautiful formations have been broken off and taken away."

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Historical OS maps use the label 'Stalactite Cave' at separate neighbouring site further W. See Web Cave [Angus] (registry site #477) for details & images. Broadie (1904) shows an annotated map with 'Stalactite Cave' labelled at the given coordinates.

SAFETY NOTE: Lions Mane Jellyfish are a common occurrence within the flooded entrance inlets to this cave, hence care should be taken to avoid their long tentacles which can deliver a powerful sting. From a wildlife preservation perspective, avoid trampling on starfish which can be abundant within the cave's rockpools (and along the cave walls), particularly along the southern passageway. Much of the southern & western passageways are uneven underfoot.