Stalactite Cave [East entrance]

The partially-subtidal NE sea entrance to Stalactite Cave. See site #4641 for primary registry entry.

"an inlet known as Monk and Maiden's Leap [is named] after a poem by David Balfour of Arbroath written in the early eighteenth century. Mary Scott, grieving for her dead mother, was comforted by a local abbot. As a result of this 'comfort' she fell pregnant and the abbot arranged her murder. He became insane through guilt and died soon afterwards. Both are said to be buried here." [Geocaching]

"It [Stalactite Cave] has another opening in a yawning fissure still further eastward, variously known as the "Horseshoe" or "Elephant's Foot" - spectators must judge for themselves which title they think the more appropriate - but this opening can only be reached by boat. Before the elephant put down his foot this fissure must have run right through the next gully. The continuation of the crevice on the other side may easily be seen, and can be examined from the next footway, which crosses the deep crevice by a natural bridge." [Broadie, 1904]

NB: The OS Namebook & maps state that 'the Horse Shoe' is a section of cliff at the old quarry further W, beside Web Cave.

Links and Resources:

Site 4641: Stalactite Cave
2nd Ed OS 25in marks this as 'cave' but has no outline.
GSG Bulletin, Mar 2016, Vol.1 No.5, p16-17.
Plan from Iain Greig's survey in the above reference. See photo 4.
Photo 1 looking along the geo towards this entrance at low water on 14 Aug 21. The beginning of the channel to the entrance to Yellow Rock Cave can just be seen on the right.
Photo 2 shows the view - probably near HW - from above this entrance - of which the photographer appears to have been unaware.
Photo 3 the entrance later in the day on 14 Aug 21 at 15:24 BST - about mid tide.
Photo 4 inside the tunnel, taken soon after photo 1 at LW. At this tide state, the SW entrance can be entered by land, as well as the extensions to that tunnel and to this one. The anvil shaped (from this angle) rock is in the crossing place of the two tunnels.
Photo 5 shows the same rock - taken just after photo 3. At this tide state one can see - from the left side of the rock - light through the SW entrance, but not paddle through it. High tide covers this rock completely and then a through passage can be made - swell permitting.
Broadie, J, 1904; Guide to the Cliff, Caves and Coast Scenery of Arbroath and District.
Geocaching: Needle E'e Earthcache (Angus, Scotland) - Link
Hay, G. 1899 (original version 1876). History Of Arbroath To The Present Time. Published by Thomas Buncle & Co. p.435

This entry was last updated: 2025-11-21 09:00:01

Errors or omissions in this information? Submit corrections/additions/comments for this entry to the registrars.

NGR:	NO 66313 41262
WGS84:	56.56211, -2.54971
Length:	Not recorded
Vert. Range:	Not recorded
Altitude:	-1 m
Geology:	Scone Sandstone Formation
Tags:	Other
Registry:	main

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