St Ninian's Cave from Burrowhead, near Isle Whithorn

Discover St Ninian's Cave as the finale to this dramatic clifftop walk along the Machar coastline.

Terrain

Grassy clifftop path - care needed with unprotected cliff edge. Pebbly shore on final section to the cave. The cave may be inaccessible at very high tide.

Public Transport

None to start.

Start

Burrowhead Holiday Village reception. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Description

Stage 1

Park by the reception of the Burrowhead Holiday Village, down the road past Cutcloy from Isle Whithorn. If the park is open then please notify reception of your parking here. Begin the walk by heading along the track to the right of the reception building, continuing through the park to reach the grassy clifftops beyond. The walk heads along the coast to the right, heading through a kissing gate and along the cliffs. Soon a drystone dyke is reached - this has both a stile and a gate so take your pick.

Stage 2

The coast in the next field is indented by several geos or inlets and it is necessary to cross some grassy channels above these with great views down to the rocky coastline. Continue through a gate and through the next field. A kissing gate then gives access to the next part of the coast path which runs between a wall and the cliff edge itself - the path is narrow so care is needed in places.

Stage 3

Port Castle Bay is eventually revealed ahead, with St Ninian's Cave just visible at the far end. The path makes a steep and winding zig-zag descent to reach the shore line, passing through another gate along the way. The route then continues along the pebbly shore, making for slightly awkward walking. The normal route to St Ninian's Cave comes in from the right (and offers a chance of a pick up at Kisdale if a lift has been arranged). Otherwise continue along the shore.

Stage 4

The cave entrance is large and impressive from a distance but the cave itself is very shallow. Its historical importance is however much greater as this spot was said to have been used as a place of retreat and worship by St Ninian, the first missionary saint to arrive in Scotland and who set up the first church in nearby Whithorn. A plaque gives information on this, and also a photo of the cave in the 1950s when it still contained some impressive celtic cross carvings - these have since been moved to the museum in Whithorn. There are still some crosses on the rock walls on the left, thought to be over 1,000 years old. More recently the cave and beach were featured in the cult film 'The Wicker Man'. After soaking in the atmosphere of this attractive spot, it is necessary to retrace your steps all the way back along the coast to return to the caravan park and the start.

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