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Cove Tunnel [1]

Cove, Berwickshire.

Reputedly a 16th (or more likely 17th) century coal mine.

Tunnel 1: NT 78212 7154, almost sea level. Situated on beach some distance north of Cove harbour. The main entrance is open and obvious, with a blocked second passage immediately below the entrance. The passage runs almost straight in a 'coffin level' well chiselled out of sandstone for 30 m to an upwards shaft, sealed at a height of some 17 m. Beyond the working continues with standing water, at first with similar dimensions but after a flooded shaft rapidly declines into a low, rough crawl. The mine ends after 61 m in a boulder fall. [Alan Jeffrey, 2021]

Recorded in the Ordnance Survey Name Book (1856-1858) as Ringing Sink (this might refer to tunnel 1 or 2) and appears on maps published after 1857.

Ten chains West of Cove Harbour North pier, and about five south east of Dragging Rock. A subterraneous passage a little above High Water Mark, it is not known where it leads to as no one has been able to explore it on account of Foul Air, when the sides are hit it has a ringing sound, hence the name. [Scotland's Places]

NT c. 783 718. Clearing operations are being carried out in a 17th century coal mine, on a north facing beach, 100 yds west of Cove harbour. The mine is made up of two horizontal levels and four vertical shafts, three of which descend below sea level. Two horizontal levels are joined by a rock-cut stairway 60ft below ground level and 195ft in from the beach. [G R Haggarty 1974]

Entered 'vertical shaft cave' but water was more than ankle deep at foot of bypass passage. [Jim Salvona, 1986]

Concealed cave explored first 72+ yards but water more than ankle deep at 64 yards. One would expect passage to slope upwards not down. Passage dimensions roughly triangular. [Jim Salvona, 1986 with Douglas Brown]

Main tunnel still partially flooded beyond shaft. New! [? Possibly NW] Tunnel was much drier, only last 22 paces out of last 32 were wet but mud was deep and sticky. I do not believe that this tunnel ever went further than the present end at the seam of blue clay. Overall length paced 120 paces, approximately 360-400 foot. A 4 inch high clay dam exists every 20 yards or so. The tunnel slopes downwards (slightly) from entrance to rear. [Jim Salvona, 1986 with Dave Jarvie and Douglas Brown]

We explored up to the large sandstone shaft and then braved the watery passage beyond, pushing aside bottles, rubbish and other ming. The passage eventually gets less well cut and more unstable, passing through clay and shale deposits. The ochres are amazing though - reds, yellows and rich browns. Eventually the mine terminates in a narrowly dug slot [Tamlin Barton and Jessie O'Shaughnessy, 2014]

Alternative Names: Piper's Cave, Ringing SInk

Notes: About the close of the last [17th] century, coal was worked in this parish by a regular set of colliers, and salt-works were carried on; since that time the works have been given up, though the late Sir John Hall of Dunglass made many attempts at coal, but without success. ... About 40 years ago [c. 1744] an attempt was made by Sir John Hall of Dunglass, to clear a bason, and make a harbour at the Cove ... A road has been cut through a rock, for an easy access to the shore, by which carts still pass under ground, about 60 yards. Cellars were also cut out of the solid rock, and would have been very useful and commodious. [OSA]

Sir John Hall of Dunglass (1711-1776) was the 3rd Baronet grandson of Sir John Hall of Dunglass, 1st Baronet (1650-1695), Lord Provost of Edinburgh, 1689 and 1692-94. The lands of Dunglass were granted to the elder Sir John in 1687 and the rights to coal, etc. from the lands (including Cockburnspath) confirmed in 1695. [Parliamentary Register]

Tunnel 1 was surveyed by the GSG in 1964-65 (not published at the time), and this was reproduced in GSG Bulletin, 5th Series, Vol.1, No.1 (2014), p.40.

See also tunnels 2 & 3.