King's Cave
King’s Cave | |
---|---|
Fingal's Cave | |
Location | Isle of Arran |
OS grid | NR8836330937 |
Coordinates | 55°31′34.3″N 5°21′12.5″W / 55.526194°N 5.353472°W |
Entrances | 1 |
Access | via public footpath |
King's Cave (
Kilmory Parish church records suggest the cave may have been used for church meetings in the eighteenth century,[4] and it is also said to have been used as a school.[4] Before being known as the King's Cave it was known as Fingal's Cave after Fionn mac Cumhaill, a figure in Irish mythology.[5]
The current name of the cave is linked to the legend of Robert the Bruce seeking refuge in a cave where he is said to have been inspired by watching a spider's numerous and ultimately successful attempts to build a web,[6][7] but this story is widely considered apocryphal.[8]
In January 1909, an archeological dig was conducted within the cave.[4] A 32 foot long trench was dug and examined, but aside from a small bronze ornament and some animal bones, nothing of interest was found, so the dig was halted on the fourth day.[4]
References
- ^ "King's Cave - Forestry and Land Scotland". Scottish Government. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
- ^ "Cave's of Great Britain: King's Cave". Show Caves. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
- ISBN 978-0-17-444706-1. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
- ^ a b c d J. A. Balfour, ed. (1910). The Book of Arran.
- ^ Thomas Pennant (1772). A Tour in Scotland and Voyage to the Hebrides.
- ^ "King's Caves". Mysterious Britain & Ireland. 17 September 2008. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
- ^ "King's Cave, Isle of Arran". Info Britain. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016.
- ^ "Bruce's Cave". BBC. Retrieved 12 August 2021.