Oweynagolman Cave

Uaigh na gColman - Cave of the Pigeon


Useful Information

Location: Rathlin Island, Northern Ireland.
Beneath the East Lighthouse.
(55.296838, -6.169134)
Open: No restrictions.
[2011]
Fee: free.
[2011]
Classification: SpeleologyKarst cave
Light: bring torch
Dimension:  
Guided tours: self guided
Photography: allowed
Accessibility: no
Bibliography:  
Address:  
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
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History

1306 King Robert the Bruce I. was probably hiding in this cave after a lost battle against the English at Perth.

Description

Uaigh na gColman (Oweynagolman Cave) is located 50 m north of CaveBruce's Cave. Bruce's Cave, and three others on the Scottish coast have been identified as the site where Robert the Bruce might have hid after the defeat by the English at Methven. This would also be the location of the famous fable about the moment was inspired to battle by a humble spider. Every British school pupil knows about "If at first you don't succeed, try try and try again".

Scots-born photographer Andy McInroy used new digital technology to take the first detailed photos of caves on the Antrim coast. His website is really impressive. After he has visited the "official" Bruce's Cave on the island of Rathlin and several other sea caves along the same coast, he claims to have unravelled the mystery. He says Oweynagolman cavern is the most likely. The Archdeacon of Aberdeen John Barbour wrote in 1375, the King visited caves in Rathlin that were accessible from the shore. But Bruce's Cave is accessible only by boat, Oweynagolman Cave can be waded to at low tide in spring. Andy McInroy took impressive pictures of the caves using high dynamic range imaging.