The following photos are of varied quality. They were taken in 1981 and enlarged from 35mm slides. I have included them because they are a record of my one and only visit to one of the most hidden, secret and weird places on the Isle of Skye.
I was lucky enough to come across a geological expedition from Keele University who were kind enough to let me accompany them. (I probably would have been too scared to go on my own!)
The Spar Cave is at Glasnakille, near Elgol, but for heavens sake don't go!
I only say that because it is a dangerous place and not for the faint hearted. If you know where to descend the cliff to the sea, there is a steep and difficult path, which is the first major obstacle.
If you succeed in overcoming that then it is necessary to follow along the base of the cliff for some distance to your left as you face the sea. This is only possible at low tide and, if you mistime it, you will be either marooned in the Spar Cave until the next low tide or washed away to your death somewhere in between the cave and the cliff path.
Assuming you survive that lot, the cave is pitch dark, slippery in places, steep and very wet. Several torches are required in case one fails.
The cave was visited by Sir Walter Scott in 1814. At one time the entrance to the cave was walled off, as can be seen from one of the photos. There was a locked entrance gate. Scott's party scaled the wall with a rope. According to MacCulloch's 1905 guide, sometime after Scott's visit, a passing sailor remedied the access arrangements with a cannon ball.
After entering the cave which is initially muddy and slippery, one has to make a very steep ascent up what I can only describe as a "frozen waterfall" of rock which is, surprisingly, quite "grippy." Thereafter the cave levels off and descends to an impassable pool of water which is crystal clear and has on its bottom the odd waterlogged timber, doubtless from previous expeditions.
Sadly, scratched on the cave wall in places is Victorian graffiti, where previous visitors have left their names. Exploring the cave by candlelight or flaming torch must have required courage and determination. Some of the rock formations are still soot-blackened from the torches of Victorian explorers.
I am sorry the photos are not better, but have you ever tried assembling a camera and flash unit in pitch dark, with water running down your neck, and taking photos with a torch trapped under your armpit to try to figure out what you are pointing the flashgun at?
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Copyright © Gareth Boote 2000