Keil Caves, St Columba's Steps and Dunaverty

Summary

Southend has a host of historical attractions as well as fine beaches; this walk attempts to link them all. The Keil Caves were long used as dwellings; St Columba's footprints, chapel and well are a reminder that this is where he landed in Scotland in 563, and the rock of Dunaverty is a reminder of a bloody episode in history.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Tarmac road, sandy beach and grassy tracks. The ascent of Dunaverty is optional on a very rough path above steep drops.

Getting there

Start

Car park at Keil Point.

Public Transport

There is a bus service between Southend and Campbeltown.

Start Grid Ref

NR670077

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 5.5km / 3.5 miles
Time: 1.5 - 2 hours
Ascent: 35m (Profile)

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Explorer 356 - Kintyre South

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Walk Description

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Stage 1

Park at Keil Point car park. Begin the walk by heading along the road to the east, in the direction of Southend. The Keil Caves are immediately visible on the left at the foot of a high rockface. To access them, continue a little further along the road to reach an iron gate, which gives access to both the caves and St Columba's footprints. Pass through the gate and turn left to visit the caves. There are several, with names such as the Great Cave, the Piper's Cave and the Hermit's Retreat; the caves were occupied for centuries; Roman pottery was found here, which is rare in Scotland.

Stage 2

Return past the gate and up the steps to reach St Columba's steps. This is a pair of footprints carved in a rock. One of them was carved by a local stonemason in the nineteenth century, but the other is ancient. It is thought that the print may have been used in the coronation of kings in the ancient kingdom of Dalriada. There is another similar footprint at Dunadd in the Kilmartin Glen; it may have been that ceremonies were held in several locations to affirm the position of the King. Slightly further beyond the footprints is a well, also known as St Columba's. Return back to the gate to rejoin the road and continue along it once more. On the left is a graveyard containing the medieval St Columba's chapel. The outline of an earlier building is in the grounds and according to tradition it was founded by St Columba himself.

Stage 3

Further along the road, look to the left to see the remains of what once was obviously a fine building; this was a private school, and beyond that are the far uglier remains of the concrete Keil Hotel. Follow the road beside the rocky coves on the shore until reaching a layby at the start of Dunaverty Bay. Go down the steps here and past the public toilets to access this fine sandy beach, with the distinctive outline of Dunaverty Rock at its far end.

Stage 4

Continue along the beach to the far end and there climb up to join a track by a Kintyre Way sign. You can visit Dunaverty Rock - the site of a castle - by turning right and heading through the gate. Beyond the house cross a small concrete retaining wall to access rough path that heads for the gap between Dunaverty Rock and the mainland. From here the now very rough and steep path ascends to the top of Dunaverty - great care is needed and this section can be omitted for safety.

Stage 5

Though nothing remains today, Dunaverty was once the site of an important castle, as is evidenced by visits from King Haakon of Norway, Robert the Bruce and James IV. In 1647 it was the site of a shameful massacre. The royalist forces holding the castle succumbed to seige from the covenanters' army, led by General David Leslie. When they surrendered, the covenanters opted to kill all three hundred of them on the instruction of their chaplain.

Stage 6

From the Dunaverty follow the track across the golf course to reach the edge of Southend village. Turn left here to return to Keil Point along the road verge. Carskey Bay, just beyond Keil Point, is a superb sandy bay and makes a fine place to visit to complete the walk.

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