walkhighlands

MacKinnonĀ“s Cave - and a spectacular surprise

Route: MacKinnon's Cave, near Gribun

Date walked: 29/06/2015

Time taken: 3 hours

Distance: 3.5km


our_route.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts



Last year my brother and I spent a few nice days on the Isle of Mull. On our first day we made a trip to MacKinnonĀ“s Cave on the east coast of the island. It was a nice though rather cool day, and the walk across the coast to the cave was enjoyable.

The setting on the coast with its high cliffs is stunning, and the cave itself is pretty impressive. It is quite long and twisting, and after the last corner it is completely dark. No daylight at all makes it to the far end, and without a torch you cannot see your own hand in front of your eyes.

2015_06_29 McKinnons Cave (01).jpg

2015_06_29 McKinnons Cave (02).jpg

Entrance to the cave


2015_06_29 McKinnons Cave (04).jpg

View from the cave


After visiting the cave, we still had some time to spend, so we decided to get back up to higher ground and walk along the cliffs for a while. What we found there was completely unexpected and truly spectacular.

2015_06_29 McKinnons Cave (09).jpg

View along the coast


A short distance after the cave, the Allt an Ath Dheirg is joined by two or three smaller burns and drops in several cascades all the way down into the sea. The last cascade is cut deeply into the cliffs and is about 10 metres high.

2015_06_29 McKinnons Cave (15).jpg

2015_06_29 McKinnons Cave (16).jpg

2015_06_29 McKinnons Cave (17).jpg

2015_06_29 McKinnons Cave (19).jpg

The Waterfalls


We walked and scrambled down the cliffs close to the burn, mainly on sheep tracks until we found the true highlight of our tour. The last bit of the track winds its way through a gigantic natural arch, with a steep drop right next to it.

2015_06_29 McKinnons Cave (25).jpg

2015_06_29 McKinnons Cave (29).jpg

2015_06_29 McKinnons Cave (28).jpg

2015_06_29 McKinnons Cave (30).jpg

2015_06_29 McKinnons Cave (31).jpg

The natural arch


Down at the coast you reach a narrow rocky ravine, from where you can get right to the bottom of the fall. The views to the sea are stunning, and there is even a small sea stack at the side of the bay.

2015_06_29 McKinnons Cave (21).jpg

The ravine


2015_06_29 McKinnons Cave (22).jpg

2015_06_29 McKinnons Cave (24).jpg

The lowest part of the waterfall


2015_06_29 McKinnons Cave (14).jpg

The coast line


2015_06_29 McKinnons Cave (32).jpg

Sea stack

Click to mark this as a great report. Register or Login
free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).

Comments: 3



Nice Day in Glencoe

Date walked: 28/06/2015
Distance: 5km
Views: 2983


Carsaig Arches - a magical place

Date walked: 30/05/2015
Distance: 13km
Comments: 2
Views: 3675

bjoechn


User avatar
Activity: Munro compleatist
Mountain: Bla Bhein
Place: Isle of Skye
Gear: Camera
Ideal day out: Waterfalls, river walks, hill walking and scrambling, admiring the amazing views in Scotland
Munro rounds: 5
Corbett rounds: 1
Fiona rounds: 5

Munros: 16
Corbetts: 5
Fionas: 10
Sub 2000: 5
Islands: 14



Filter reports


Statistics

2015

Trips: 3
Distance: 21.5 km


Joined: Feb 06, 2013
Last visited: Jun 17, 2023
Total posts: 5 | Search posts