Go to the Main Scottish Cave and Mine Database Search Page

Garrarie's Cave [1]

Monreith, Garrarie, Callie's Port, Wigtownshire.

Large tidal sea cave in the cliffs in Back Bay, Monreith, east of Benbuie. Estimated 40 m wide arch with large stack in front and recent collapses from the cliff above.

A cave on the shore of Knock tradition says that the Laird of Garrarie used to take refuge here during a period of religious persecution in Scotland hence the name. [Scotland's Places]

Gordon of Garrarie was a forfeited fugitive in February 1680 and 1681 for his part in the Presbyterian Rising of 1679. He was one of the Wigtownshire lairds who reached the Covenanters' camp near Bothwell Brig a couple of days before the battle. He lived close to the site of the cave namred after him [Garrarie farm is located about 1 km inland of the Lag]. [Jardine's Book of Martyrs]

There is a problem with this narrative. Garrerie farm in the 17th century was not owned or occupied by the Gordons. The farm was owned by the Maxwells (relatives of Sir Henry Maxwell) and occupied by the Hannay family. However, the original sources only mention the Laird of Garrarie not his family name. The name Gordon seems to have been applied later. There was a John Gordon of Garveries, a zealous Covenanter, who fought at Pentland in 1666 but he died there of his wounds. He was succeeded by Roger Gordon, his younger brother but he was succeeded by another John Gordon in 1669. This John was succeeded by his brother Robert in 1672. Robert Gordon of Garveries was forfeited in June [not February] 1680 for not conforming to Prelacy. Garveries is located near Tongland in Kirkcudbrightshire. Is there confusion between this Robert Gordon and the Laird of Garrarie? I do not know. [John Crae]

Alternative Names: Garrerie's Cave [1], Garverie's Cave, Garvarie's Cave

Notes: Garrerie's Cave is believed to have been the hideout for the Laird of Garrerie who was a Covenanter during religious persecutions in the 1600s. [solwaycoastwise]

The spellings of Garverie and Garvarie are assumed to be related to Covenanter John Gordon of Garvarie near Tongland who is not associated with this cave.

This cave is entirely inaccessible in bad weather so seems an unlikely (but not impossible) hiding place. If the cave floods at high tide then it is impossible.

Hydrographic Feeds: None

Hydrographic Resurgences: None