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Ersbal's Cave [1]

Rinns of Galloway, Stoneykirk, WSW of Clachanmore, Wigtownshire.

Cave (possibly 2 caves close together). ¾ Mile North of Ardwell Bay.

Alternative Names: Ersbel's Cave

Notes: Ersbal or Ersbel may be a Scots or Gaelic version of Archibald.

Ersbal's Caves marked on 1850 OS map near Ardwell Saltpans.

This name applies to two Caves situate close to the East side of Crawberry Rock. These Caves extends only a short distance in the precipitous Rock. It is said a man named Ersbal (who committed murder) took shelter in this cave as a hiding place to evade the law hence the name. [Scotland's Places]

These Caves are to the East of Crawberry Rock, the entrance into both is low, runs in a North Easterly direction for a short distance, it is said that a man of the name took refuge in these Caves. he had Committed a murder and to avoid the law, to this place he retreated for refuge. [Scotland's Places]

Crawberry, Crowberry or Cranberry Rock - A large rock about 30 feet high, the top appears to be flat, having a grassy appearance, and on it grows these berries from which the rock takes its name.

A murder stone , a rough-cut boulder with the simple inscription "murder", near Ardwell in Scotland is traditionally dated to 1551 and associated with the murder of the Laird of Castle Clanyard by a member of Clan McCulloch though historians believe that it is of 19th-century origin. [Wikipedia]

Although not specifically linked to the caves, this stone illustrates the long association of the McCullochs with Ardwell and Archibald was a name frequently used in the family after the 15th century chief of the clan who led an attack on the Isle of Man in revenge for a raid on Kirkcudbright.