Go to the Main Scottish Cave and Mine Database Search Page
Trough Cove [South Entrance]
Fowls Heugh, Aberdeenshire, (Kincardineshire).
| NGR: | NO 87902 81366 |
| WGS84: | 56.92344, -2.20036 |
| Length: | 323 m |
| Vert. Range: | 22 m |
| Altitude: | -3 m |
| Geology: | Whitehouse Conglomerate Formation |
| Tags: | Other |
| Registry: | main |
For details of cave see north entrance.
Update 17 Sep 24: The south beach appeared to have lost all its shingle, leaving bedrock with some largish boulders. The north west beach appeared to have lost considerable shingle but no photograph was taken. This loss of shingle coincides with loss of shingle from the beach inside Henry's Scorth east cave and the S1 beach inside Strabandra Knap Blowhole Cave.
Alternative Names: Throch Cove, The Great Cave
Notes: Access: by sea from Catterline or Stonehaven. Best near HW and low S swell.
One through passage is available in the top 3/4 of the tide and low to moderate swell between the middle and S entrances. A second, much longer one of approx 179 m is available in the top 1/4 of the tide (more than 3.6 m above chart datum) and low swell between the N and S entrances provided there is no shingle bank blocking the SW half of the N passage. It was observed unblocked on 18 Feb 23. See N entrance for more info. Note that going via the S entrance, the N tunnel does not become apparent until you are quite close to the S beach - see sketch plan and photo 5.
Links and Resources:
- Sketch plan over Aerial is fairly accurate for length and direction.
- 1. Deeside Field. 1927, vol 3, pp 82-85, James Reid, 'The Caves and Birds of Fowlsheugh'. "Not far from the North end of Fowlsheugh is the Great Cave or Throch Cove, which can be visited at all states of the tide. The entrance, an archway 150 feet wide and 50 or 60 high, is supported by an enormous buttress. Sailing in, we find ourselves in a mighty cavern, resounding like a seashell to the wash of the waves and the weird unearthly cries, as if of lost souls, of the guillemots and puffins that nest inside along with the blue rock pigeon which slips swiftly but noiselessly out as we enter. This cave is about 100 yards in length and in size and architecture is possibly matchless on the east coast of Scotland. The roof is formed in the shape of a dome and 60 feet below it is the restless sea, ever vocal, ever reflecting light and shade. To this watery floor much of the fascination of this scene is due. A special feature of Throch Cove is a huge upright side fissure illuminated from outside with fine effect. This winding passage may be threaded by a small boat at high water and leads to the open sea."
- Sketch by James Reid. This is instantly recognisable as the view ESE along the south tunnel, from the south beach. Light from the north tunnel is hinted at, just above the boat. Light from the middle entrance likewise, further along on the left. See photo 5 for the south beach - which may have more shingle on it than whenever Reid made his sketch over 100 years ago. Also photos 2 & 3 for photos in the same direction.
- Photo 1 shows the south entrance more or less in line with the S tunnel which runs ESE/WNW.
- Photo 2 looking ESE out of the S entrance from about halfway along the S tunnel. Compare with James Reid's sketch above. 2 July 2019.
- Photo 3 taken on 17 August 23 from about the first larger wave on Reid's sketch. It also illustrates how difficult it can be to photograph against the light.
- Photo 4 a zoomed version of the top left corner of photo 2 showing the many common guillemots against the skyline.
- Photo 5 from inside the S tunnel shows the S beach; taken 4 Jul 20, near HW. The N tunnel is round to the right. The entry to the extension of the S tunnel can be made out at the back of the beach. The extension to the N tunnel is in shadow on the left. There is a seal looking at the kayak near the beach.
- Photo 6 shows the entrance to the extension of the S tunnel taken from the beach on 15 Aug 20. The level of pebbles on this beach is particularly high.
- Photo 7 shows the inside of the extension to the S tunnel. It may be longer under the pebble beach.
- Photo 8 shows the entrance to the SW ward extension of the N tunnel.
- Photo 9 shows the end of that extension. Note the vertical threads of cave spider silk.
- Photo 10 shows the south beach on 17 September 24 at a tide level of 2.3 m ACD. Compare with photo 6.
- Photo 10a is a cropped version of photo 10 marked up to suggest where the level of the pebbles was in photo 6 (aug 2020).
- Photo 11 shows the entrance to the SW extension of the N tunnel on 17 September 24 at a tide level of 2.3 m ACD. Compare photo 8. Note that the right side of this photo overlaps with left side of photo 10.
- Full text of 1. above with footnoted links and comments.
This entry was last updated: 2024-12-02 19:33:46
Errors or omissions in this information? Submit corrections/additions/comments for this entry to the registrars.