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Preacher's Cave

Portknockie, Moray, (Banffshire).

Preacher's Cave, was used by the Free Church following its break with the Church of Scotland in the 1840s.

The Preacher's Cave is an old meeting place and known to have been used often by the Covenanters of whom the Earl of Seafield was an enthusiastic supporter. After the days of the Covenanters it became something of a gambling den and within living memory tinkers used it. A service was conducted here in 1960 to commemorate the 4th centenary of the Reformation in Scotland. [Parish Records]

There may be some confusion between Janet's Cave and Preacher's Cave. A postcard from the 1890s marked Preacher's Cave clearly shows what is now called either Janet's Cave, Sports Cave or St Loraine Black Lady's Cave.

On the 1866 map what is now known as the Preacher' Cave is marked Janet's Cave and Jenny's Well is shown as Janet's Well. [K'nocker Snippets]

Alternative Names: St Stephen's Cave

Notes: Raised beach sea cave.

Straight forward walking size passage 12.2 long with a 5.5 m narrow tunnel at the back on the left.