North West Highlands Geopark (2016) North West Highlands Geopark Geodiversity Audit and Action Plan 2013–2016 Additional notes: These web pages are sourced from the PDF North West Highlands Geopark Geodiversity Audit and Action Plan 2013–2016

NWHG Ref. O32 — Creag nan Uamh Caves

Location, grid reference and photograph

The Caves are located on north-facing slopes rising above the valley of the Allt nan Uamh on its southern side, Grid Ref. [NC 268 170].

(Figure 33) The cave entrance of the Caeg nam Uamh caves. BGS Photo P531624 — M Krabbendam.

(Figure 34) Limestone crags, bone caves and Allt nan Uamh, seen from Beinn nan Cnaimsheag. BGS Photo P530477 — T Bradwell

GCR site reference, block, volume and notified feature of SSSI?

GCR Ref. 1490, Quaternary Block, Vol. 6. Notified feature of Ben More Assynt SSSI.

Description and geological significance

This is the richest Pleistocene site in Scotland and the most northerly such site in the British Isles. Extensive in-situ deposits here and in adjacent caves afford much potential for future research at these important vertebrate localities.

Accessibility

Access is from the large “Bone Caves” car park on the east side of the A 837 [NC 253 179] via a 1.7 km long unsurfaced path over rough and undulating terrain, sometimes traversing steep sidelong ground. No all access for all abilities.

Conservation

High conservation requirement due to nature, fragility and accessibility of this very important site.

Visibility and “clarity”

The caves are not visible from the main car park but present a dramatic feature once their location is reached.

Interpretation and interpretation potential

There is an interpretation panel at the main “Bone Caves” car park and another interpretation panel would therefore not be necessary. The site is featured as part of a walk in the guidebook “Exploring the landscape of Assynt”. The site is regularly used for guided walks led by Highland Council Countryside Rangers and should certainly be included in a future Geopark guide.

Key references

Geological Conservation Review Series, Volume 6: Quaternary of Scotland, site description page 127.

LAWSON, T.J. 1988. Caves of Assynt, Grampian Speleological Group.

LAWSON, T. 1995. The Creag nam Uamh caves. In Lawson, T. (eds) The Quaternary of Assynt and Coigach; field guide. ,Quaternary Research Association, Cambridge, 87–103.

LAWSON, T.J. 1993. Creah nam Uamh. In Gordon, J. E. & Sutherland, D. G. (eds) Quaternary of Scotland. Geological Conservation Review Series, 6, Chapman and Hall, London, 127–133.