Holy Island, The Smugglers' Cave

NS03SE 2 0530 3031

(Location originally cited as NS 05 30).

The Smugglers' Cave in the steep hillside 300 yds from the farm along the shore track, was partially excavated by Balfour, showing that it had been used for eccliastical purposes, a number of crosses having been cut on the walls 'one showing much care and art in the execution'.

J Balfour 1910; A B Scott 1919.

Information from OS.

In the area described, there are several sheltered overhangs in the coastal cliff; however none could be identified as the cave in question and no crosses could be seen. No further information.

Visited by OS (T R G), 16 November 1977.

(Location amended to NS 0530 3031). This cave, whose name was recorded by Balfour, is identified with that noted by the OS at NS 0530 3031. It is situated at the foot of a low cliff some 60m from the W shore and adjoining an area of former arable cultivation. The entrance is partly sunk and the cave measures about 4.8m from E to W by 1.4m, with a low side-chamber to the N of the entrance. The average height is 1.7m to a flat roof, which appears to have been worked. The red sandstone walls are damp in places, but several crosses have been incised at a height of about 1.2m in the E part of the N wall. Most of them are simple equal-armed crosses up to 80mm in span, but one, which is 100mm in span, is incised with a firm V-section groove and has long forked terminals. This wall also bears modern initials and the date 1951, and several of the crosses have been damaged by recutting and added lines.

Information from RCAHMS (IF), 6 March 1997, visited April 1993.

J Balfour 1910; I Fisher 2001.

The location, classification and period of this site have been reviewed.

HES Survey and Recording 28 November 2018