Uamh Nan Deargann

NG89SW 1 8123 9127

(Name NG 816 918) Uamh nan Deargann (NAT)

OS 6" map, Ross-shire, 2nd ed., (1906)

Uamh nan Deargann, meaning 'Cave of the Fleas', is the name applied to a large cave north of the village of Cove, about forty feet long by about fifteen high, containing a number of wooden seats, and used by the villagers as a church'.

OS Name Book 1875.

'Preaching Cave' in cliffs on shore near Cove, on the west side of Loch Ewe, is high, wide and roomy and is entered by descending one or two steps. The entrance is roughly built up with stones 'in the usual way' and the cave still contains a wooden pulpit, and benches with bookboards attached. There was possibly a wooden floor.

T R Barnett 1930.

At NG 8123 9127, 10 ft above HWM of Spring Tide, in the cliffs at the head of a small inlet, the 'Preaching Cave', with measurements as described by Name Book (1875), was pointed out by Mr Urquhart (No. 2 Croft, Cove), who stated it has not been used for 'about forty years'. Pieces of wood, strewn about the stone floor of the cave, are all that remain of the pulpit and benches. A fall of earth has partially blocked the entrance, but the dry-stone wall 1.6m high and 0.9m thick is still visible.

'Uamh nan Deargann' at NG 8149 9185, has never been a 'preaching cave'. It is submerged at high spring tides and bears no relationship to the description by Name Book 1875.

Visited by OS (N K B) 18 March 1965.

OS Name Book 1875.