Picturesque Scottish walk leading to 'mysterious and magical' caves with prehistoric secrets

Daily Record

3 days ago

The trail to the caves is along the North Coast 500 and starts from a car park on the A837 between Elphin and Inchnadamph
The Highlands are home to some of the UK's most breathtaking walking routes. And one stunning trail in Assynt is drawing interest for its history, wildlife and dramatic scenery.
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The route leads walkers to the atmospheric and aptly named Bone Caves, where the remains of animals including lynx, reindeer, and even polar bears have been uncovered.
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Situated near Inchnadamph, the Bone Caves have been described by Inchnadamph Explorers Lodge as one of the 'most mysterious and magical places' in the country.
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The name stems from the extraordinary prehistoric finds discovered inside, offering a rare glimpse into Scotland's ancient wildlife, Express reports.
The caves are carved into the high limestone cliff walls of Creag nan Uamh, which translates as Crag of the Caves. Today, four shallow limestone caves remain, each around five metres deep and just tall enough for an adult to stand upright in.
However, these visible caves are only a fragment of what was once a much larger system. Over time, natural erosion has deepened the valley, cutting away sections of the caves and leaving the remnants perched high and dry along the cliff face.
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First recorded in 1889 by geologists Peach and Horne, the caves became a site of major archaeological interest in 1928 when J.E. Cree conducted excavations and made several significant discoveries.
Among the finds were human skeletons, a bear tooth, antlers, and the bones of now-extinct animals such as wolves, arctic foxes, and even a Northern lynx, the only one ever found in Scotland.
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Many of the artefacts recovered from the site are now held at the Royal Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.
The route to the Bone Caves is a popular walk along the North Coast 500 and is accessible via a car park on the A837 between Elphin and Inchnadamph.
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From there, it is a 30-minute hike to reach the Allt nan Uamh, or Burn of the Caves. The walk is described as moderately easy, though some rocky areas and steep climbs require good footwear and care.
Walkers are rewarded with sweeping views of the surrounding wilderness, with snow-capped peaks and rugged terrain providing a dramatic backdrop.
The trail offers a sense of solitude and immersion in nature, with many saying it feels like being in the heart of nowhere.
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Visitors have shared their experiences on TripAdvisor, praising the scenery and atmosphere of the site.
One reviewer wrote: "Amazing walk, amazing scenery and a real sense of atmosphere when you arrive at the bone caves. Fairly easy most of the way, a few rocky areas."
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Another commented: "This is a great walk, only takes about one hour each way. Should have a stick and good shoes for walking but otherwise very simple walk. Certainly recommend this if in the area, really pretty walk and great views from the caves."
A third added: "These are a set of natural pre-Ice Age caves set high in a limestone cliff, where a large number of animal bones were discovered during excavation (hence the name).
"It's a beautiful trail through a deep, secluded valley with a steep climb up to the caves followed by a sharp vertigo-inducing descent right along the edge of the cliff back to the valley. We were greeted by a deer at the end of our walk!"