Bone Caves - Sunday 24 April 2022
Route
A837 near Stonechrubie - Creag nan Uamh - Bone Caves - A837 near Stonechrubie
Parking
Small Car Park just off the A837 (free). The Car Park is about a mile south of the small hamlet of Stonechrubie and approximately 2.5 miles south of Inchnadamph. The Grid Reference is NC 253 179 and the nearest postcode is IV27 4HN.
Mileage
3.1 miles
Terrain
Glen paths however the area in and around the Bone Caves requires care to be taken - sloping terrain and thin paths.
Weather
Sunny with light breezes
Time Taken
1hr 35m
Total Ascent
711ft (217m)
Map
OS Explorer 442 Assynt & Lochinver
Walkers
Dave, Angie & Fudge
A837 near Stonechrubie - Creag nan Uamh - Bone Caves - A837 near Stonechrubie
Parking
Small Car Park just off the A837 (free). The Car Park is about a mile south of the small hamlet of Stonechrubie and approximately 2.5 miles south of Inchnadamph. The Grid Reference is NC 253 179 and the nearest postcode is IV27 4HN.
Mileage
3.1 miles
Terrain
Glen paths however the area in and around the Bone Caves requires care to be taken - sloping terrain and thin paths.
Weather
Sunny with light breezes
Time Taken
1hr 35m
Total Ascent
711ft (217m)
Map
OS Explorer 442 Assynt & Lochinver
Walkers
Dave, Angie & Fudge
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Route Map
The free Car Park just off the A837 south of Inchnadamph. This was the first of 2 walks today - later on this afternoon we would be climbing Stac Pollaidh and a link to that walk is here
From the Car Park the route heads through a gate on to a farm track. The mountain in the far right distance is Beinn nan Cnaimhseag.
The track soon becomes a rough stony path as we handrail to the left of the Allt nan Uamh
Further along the path a lovely waterfall is reached - Fudge eyes the water with longing
The waterfall at Allt nan Uamh (click play to view)
Climbing gradually now as we move above the Allt nan Uamh with Canisp now in view
Don't worry Fudge, the path will soon level out and you will then be allowed in the water
Levelling out now with the Corbett of Breabag now in view in the far left distance
The walk along the Allt nan Uamh was a delight. Up ahead is a natural underground watercourse called Fuaran Allt nan Uamh.
All of a sudden the burn dried up which was totally unexpected but not unusual for this time of year
Looking down the now dry Allt nan Uamh with Creag nan Uamh (Crag of the Caves) now in view
As expected, negotiating a dry burn was really easy - the crossing point is at Grid Reference NC 26462 17251
Once the burn is crossed a good path heads towards the Bone Caves
Looking back along our route of approach with the burn crossing paths clearly visible below
Fudge trundles along the path as we near the Bone Caves
Reaching the final access point for the Bone Caves, there now begins a transit along a narrow and steep section of path to reach the base of the cliffs
Our first view of the Bone Caves. The caves were excavated in 1889 by the geologists Peach and Horne. They found the remains of animals which once roamed the Highlands including lynx, polar bear, arctic fox and lemmings. It is believed that the caves may have once sheltered these animals and also the humans who hunted them.
What a fantastic view looking out from the inside of one of the caves
Care needs to be taken as you make your way from cave to cave. There was nobody here when we visited however it may be a bit tricky moving around the caves should there be an influx of people visiting all at once.
Fudge as he looks out from one of the smaller caves
Each cave can be explored with care and it is even possible to pass through an opening between the two middle caves which is found near the entrance. Again, care needs to be taken as there are other small entrances that lead nowhere.
Looking further along a really precipitous ledge towards more caves. The path seen below is the exit route below the caves.
Looking back along the main path from the ledge
Angie & Fudge in the mouth of one of the caves
Fudge pauses and listens intently as someone opens a packet of crisps back at the Car Park
Leaving the Bone Caves (click play to view)
Come on Fudge - we are off back down to the valley floor now
Despite the exit path looking pretty precipitous it was not too bad - just take your time and be careful
Looking down at our route of return - the path basically does a switch back on itself from the eastern end of Creag nan Uamh
Continuing along the path near the head of the glen. A little further on and the path starts to descend.
Looking back up to the crags on Crag nan Uamh as the path starts to descend
Now and then we came across signs that warned of falling rock
The head of the glen where the path swings around to head back to the start
Fudge still can't understand why the river is bone dry
Into the sun as we look back up to the Bone Caves from the return path
The top of the waterfall on Allt nan Uamh
The Car Park now back in sight - a short walk but a delightful one all the same
Made me chuckle - apparently it is a household & garden waste removal business