Caillich (Uamh) [Ledaig]

Raised beach sea cave? Cordinates indicate a prominent if heavily wooded notch in the raised beach cliff at the back of a private house jusr south of the Ben Lora car park.

A cavern about 30 feet in length near the North end of a crag than runs parallel with the main road from Craigneuk. Sig: [Signification] "Old Woman's Cave" [Scotland's Places]

Alternative Names: Uamh Caillich, Woman's Cave,Uamh na Callich, Old Woman (Cave of the ), Cave of the Old Woman

Notes: Although the cave has been known since at least the 19th century, the cave name is modern and not grammatical Gaelic . Therefore, it may not have the historical connotations relating to the historical use of the word Caillich for Woman (i.e. old woman, witch or goddess).

Balance of probability suggests Uamh Caillich is actually further south at the site indicated as Cliff House Rockshelter but this is not yet proven or disproven. [John Crae/Trevor Faulkner]

Links and Resources:

6" OS 1900, Sheet 87, Argyllshire NW 56° 29' 1"N, 5° 24' 11"W. OS Auto Lat/Long conversion to NGR.
OS 10k background mapping.
Mitchell, M E C. (1933) 'The prehistoric antiquities of Benderloch and Appin', Proc Soc Antiq Scot, vol. 67, 1932-3. Page(s): Vol. 67, 326.
ScotlandsPlaces, Ordnance Survey (Name Book. (1848-1878) Object Name Books of the Ordnance Survey (6 inch and 1/2500 scale). Page(s): Vol. 1, 63.
RCAHMS. (1975) The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Argyll: an inventory of the ancient monuments: volume 2: Lorn. Edinburgh. Page(s): 12 Pl 3C RCAHMS Shelf Number: A.1.1.INV/19.
Smith, R A. (1873a) 'A descriptive list of antiquities near Loch Etive, Argylleshire, consisting of vitrified forts, cairns, circles, crannogs, etc.; with some remarks on the growth of peat', Proc Soc Antiq Scot, vol. 9, 1870-2. Page(s): Vol. 9, 87.
Information from Trevor Faulkner, 8.11.2022.

This entry was last updated: 2024-08-01 18:12:09

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

NGR:	NM 90540 38045
WGS84:	56.48777, -5.40371
Length:	10 m
Vert. Range:	Not recorded
Altitude:	10 m
Geology:	Kerrera Sandstone Formation - Conglomerate
Tags:	Cave, SeaCave, Archaeo
Registry:	main

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