Dropping Cave [Port Mora]

'There is a large cave called the Cave of Uchtrie Macken close by the sea near Port Patrick, accessible by six steps of a stair entering a gate built with stone and lime, at the end of which is built an Altar at least a structure after that figure, to which many people resort upon the first night of May and there do wash diseased children with Water which runs from a spring over the Cave, and afterwards they try a farthing or the like, and throw it upon the Altar.

'In the rocky side of the sandy bay (i.e. Portmurray or Port Mora), beyond the reach of the tide, is a cave obscurely reported to have been the residence of a hermit or monk. Adjoining to it is a smaller cave (i.e. Dropping Cave) over the entrance of which a small rill constantly pours itself.'

The name Ouchtriemackain-Cave; Ouchtred - commemorates Uchtred, Lord of Galloway, who was blinded and mutilated by his younger brother, and left to die in this cave, about 1173.

Leitch's excavations about 1930 found only evidence of comparatively recent occupation. He makes no mention of the structures described by Archibald.

Ouchtriemakain Cave is generally as described by the previous authorities except that there is no trace of an "Altar" or a "Gate", although the "gate" may have been about half-way along the entrance passage. No information was found regarding the activities associated with the cave described by Dr Archibald. The Dropping Cave is also as described.

This cave is situated towards the foot of the cliffs 180m S of Glen Cottage. Its enlarged interior (6m by 3.9m and 3m in height) bears no traces of the structures described in Macfarlane.

Notes: Dropping Cave is a generic term used in the Victorian period and earlier to describe a cave containing stalactites.

Links and Resources:

6" OS 1909, Sheet 17, Wigtownshire SW, 54° 51' 4.1"N, 5° 7' 39.4"W.
OS Auto Lat/Long conversion to NGR.
Old Statistical Account, vol. 4, p. 131.
Pastmap, OS 10k background mapping.
Canmore ID no. 60332.
Leitch, D. (1930) 'Report on the excavation of Ouchtriemakain Cave, Portpatrick', in Gregory, J W et al 'Caves and a rock shelter at Loch Ryan and Portpatrick, Galloway', Proc Soc Antiq Scot, vol. 64, 1929-30. Page(s): 256-60 fig.6
Macfarlane, W. (1906-8) Geographical collections relating to Scotland, in Mitchell, A and Clark, J T, 3v. Edinburgh. Page(s): Vol.3, 195 RCAHMS Shelf Number: D.20.MAC.R
NSA. (1834-1845) The new statistical account of Scotland by the ministers of the respective parishes under the superintendence of a committee of the society for the benefit of the sons and daughters of the clergy, 15v. Edinburgh. Page(s): Vol.4 (Wigtown), 133 RCAHMS Shelf Number: B.2.2.STA
Ordnance Survey (Name Book. (1848-1878) Object Name Books of the Ordnance Survey (6 inch and 1/2500 scale). Page(s): book no.53, 30 RCAHMS Shelf Number: Ref
RCAHMS. (1912) The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments and Constructions of Scotland. Fourth report and inventory of monuments and constructions in Galloway, 1, county of Wigtown. Edinburgh. Page(s): xix; 141-2, No.415 RCAHMS Shelf Number: A.1.1.INV(4).R
RCAHMS. (1985a) The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. The archaeological sites and monuments of West Rhins, Wigtown District, Dumfries and Galloway Region, The archaeological sites and monuments of Scotland series no 24. Edinburgh. Page(s): 38, No. 242 RCAHMS Shelf Number: A.1.2.ARC/24

This entry was last updated: 2021-10-23 08:51:41

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NGR:	NW 99282 55185
WGS84:	54.85110, -5.12815
Length:	Not recorded
Vert. Range:	Not recorded
Altitude:	Not recorded
Geology:	Portpatrick Formation - Wacke
Tags:	Cave, SeaCave
Registry:	main

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