Duntroon

In 1862 a small cave was discovered in the course of quarrying in the low cliffs situated on the N side of the private road leading from Duntroon Lodge to Duntrune Castle and some 220m W of the Lodge. Subsequent examination by Mapleton (Mapleton 1881) showed that the cave measured 8.5m in length, between 3m and 0.9m in width and decreased in height from 3.4m to 0.9m; it has since been destroyed. The cave appeared to have been filled by fallen debris, and several human skeletons were discovered buried beneath the rubble. One is said to have been found in a sitting posture with the bones of a woman and infant some 0.3m beneath it; 'portions of the bones and skulls of probably six more individuals, very much scattered and dislocated' were discovered 'at the bottom of the cave'. On the lowest level there lay 'a round flat stone, embedded in ash and charcoal, and very much burnt at the edges', which was identified as a hearth-stone. In addition to the human remains the debris layer contained what appeared to be traces of occupation: 'almost the entire skeleton of a red deer' was found scattered amongst quantities of seashells and the bones of a large seabird; two flint scrapers and a 'block of flint' were also recovered. It is possible that the Duntroon cave-deposits may be compared to those discovered in a cave at Raschoille, Oban, representing evidence for separate episodes of habitation and burial rather than the sudden deaths of a small group of people in a rock-fall. (Cumnock 1985; Lacaille 1954)

Visited June 1981

RCAHMS 1988