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Bruin Cove

Cove, Bay, Colsea Yawn, Aberdeenshire, (Kincardineshire).

OS Namebook Bruin Cove (ref 2) "An extensive natural cave under the cliff, on the coast immediately South of Colsea Yawn."

Bruin Cove consists of 3 sections, separated by arch-like constrictions. The initial section is wide, and up to 16 m ACD high at 20m in. At 33 m in, there is an arch with a hanging cluster of blocks in the middle, and is 6.7 m wide, 7.4 m ACD and 4.3 m deep (BCD). The next section turns slightly right and extends to 60 m in. For most of its length it is wide enough to turn a 5.5 m kayak around easily. At the end of the second section it narrows to 3.1 m and turns left, eventually to E-W, and soon becomes completely dark. The third section widens out - width not measured yet, but more than 5.5 m. The ceiling is low enough that it would not be navigable at high water springs. There is a rounded apse at the far end.

Alternative Names: None recorded.

Notes: On my first visit, visibility was further reduced by mist. Based on my second visit, I reckon this was caused by swell hitting the end of the third section and pumping air back. On my second visit, I saw waves coming round both sides and breaking there as they hit each other. These made a booming sound even with a very modest swell. There were seals (probably grey) floating horizontally asleep in this part of the cave on 20 Sep 19. (Nigel Feilden)

Access: by sea only and with low swell. First two chambers accessible at all tide states, but the third chamber requires low tide.