Preaching Cave and Cashel, Kilpatrick

This route combines two short walks from the same car park. First it heads down to the coast to visit a large cave once used for religious services, but climbing up the view the remains of Kilpatrick Cashel, a homestead dating back 4,000 years.

Terrain

Good, if occasionally boggy, footpath.

Public Transport

None to start.

Start

Small walled car park 2km south of Blackwaterfoot. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Description

Stage 1

Visiting the cave first, cross the main road from the carpark and pass through a gate alongside the Allt a'Ghoirtean burn. Follow the gorse-lined track across a ford via the stepping stones to reach a field on the raised beach with the rocky shore beyond. Head through a gate onto a narrow grassy strip above the beach and turn left.

Stage 2

Follow the path towards the low cliffs that grow in grandeur as the walk continues, increasingly studded with small caves beyond the dense bracken and goldenrod. The Preaching Cave is the largest cave and indicated by a well-trodden path and helpful arrow on a pathside boulder. The full extent of the cave can only be appreciated by close investigation, and the soot-blackened roof indicates sustained use through the ages.

Stage 3

As well as performing duty as the parish school, in the 19th century the cave provided a meeting place for those that objected to the practice of a minister being appointed by the local landowner - known as The Disruption of 1843 - and thus formed a Free Church congregation based in the cave. Leave the cave and continue along the shore path as desired - but bear in mind that the path becomes particularly rough after the headland of Rubha Garbhard. Return via the outward route with superb views along the coast to Kilpatrick Point and Drumadoon Bay beyond.

Stage 4

To visit the 'Cashel', turn left out of the car park along the access road for Kilpatrick Farm, and take a small path heading right at a black and white painted post. Follow the track to a gate and stile, cross this and follow the grassy path across grazing land as directed by further striped poles often supplemented with arrows. Reach a further gate close to the Allt a'Ghoirtean, pass through it and follow the left fork beyond to head more steeply uphill and onto the heather moorland.

Stage 5

As before, the route is indicated by a plethora of striped poles snaking across the moor - follow these to reach an oasis of grass in the heather with the various standing stones, turf walls and ridge and furrow marks clearly visible. An information board explains that the site is believed to be at least 4000 years old and has been modified and added to right into the Middle Ages. The term 'cashel' is misleading, referring to a type of site used by early monastic communities. In fact this site is now believed to be of a dun built around 1800 years ago, but as the name 'Kilpatrick Cashel' has occurred on maps and signs for a hundred years it seems to have stuck

Stage 6

The site offers extensive views across to the large fort of The Doon above Blackwaterfoot, as well as the Mull of Kintyre and Ireland beyond. Once the full hectare of land has been explored, ignore the poles and follow a path heading directly towards Blackwaterfoot to pick up a larger path running left to right and return to the path junction at the gate. Retrace your steps from this point.

Route: Phil Turner

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