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

Daily Record

time7 days ago

  • Science
  • Daily Record

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

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. ‌ 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. ‌ 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. ‌ 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. ‌ 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. ‌ 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. ‌ 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. ‌ 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." ‌ 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!"

UK's most mysterious place where deer will greet you in beautiful yet eerie setting
UK's most mysterious place where deer will greet you in beautiful yet eerie setting

Daily Mirror

time19-07-2025

  • Daily Mirror

UK's most mysterious place where deer will greet you in beautiful yet eerie setting

A number of people who have visited the bone caves have been greeted by deer, with the area being labelled one of the 'most mysterious and magical' in the UK The UK boasts an array of breathtaking walks, but the Scottish Highlands are particularly noteworthy. Here, you can traverse mountain paths, skirt around lochs, and explore caves or the remnants of ancient castles. ‌ One path leads to the ominously named 'bone caves. Situated in Assynt, close to Inchnadamph, the bone caves have been dubbed one of the "most mysterious and magical places" in the UK. ‌ The discovery of lynx, reindeer, and polar bear bones within these caves is a testament to their past inhabitants, despite these species no longer roaming the region. ‌ Comprising four natural limestone caves set into the high limestone cliff face of Creag nan Uamh (Crag of the Caves), they stretch about five metres deep and are just tall enough for an average person to stand upright. These caves were once part of a larger system that has since been worn away by erosion as the valley deepened, leaving only a few intact today, reports the Express. ‌ First documented in 1889 by Geologists Peach and Horne, the caves' true treasures weren't unearthed until 1928 when J. E. Cree conducted excavations. Cree's exploration yielded a bear tooth, human skeletons, antlers, among other artefacts. Many of these discoveries from the caves are now exhibited at the Royal Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh. To access the caves, provides a route that begins at a car park on the A837 between Elphin and Inchnadamph. ‌ Several visitors have shared their experiences on TripAdvisor. One review reads: "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." Another wrote: "This is a great walk, only takes about 1hour 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." While a third visitor commented: "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!"

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