A number of people who have visited the bone caves have been greeted by deer, with the area being labelled one of the ‘most mysterious and magical’ in the UK
The UK boasts an array of breathtaking walks, but the Scottish Highlands are particularly noteworthy. Here, you can traverse mountain paths, skirt around lochs, and explore caves or the remnants of ancient castles.
One path leads to the ominously named ‘bone caves. Situated in Assynt, close to Inchnadamph, the bone caves have been dubbed one of the “most mysterious and magical places” in the UK.
The discovery of lynx, reindeer, and polar bear bones within these caves is a testament to their past inhabitants, despite these species no longer roaming the region.
Comprising four natural limestone caves set into the high limestone cliff face of Creag nan Uamh (Crag of the Caves), they stretch about five metres deep and are just tall enough for an average person to stand upright.
These caves were once part of a larger system that has since been worn away by erosion as the valley deepened, leaving only a few intact today, reports the Express.
First documented in 1889 by Geologists Peach and Horne, the caves’ true treasures weren’t unearthed until 1928 when J. E. Cree conducted excavations.
Cree’s exploration yielded a bear tooth, human skeletons, antlers, among other artefacts. Many of these discoveries from the caves are now exhibited at the Royal Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.
To access the caves, walkhighlands.co.uk provides a route that begins at a car park on the A837 between Elphin and Inchnadamph.
Several visitors have shared their experiences on TripAdvisor. One review reads: “Amazing walk, amazing scenery and a real sense of atmosphere when you arrive at the bone caves. Fairly easy most of the way, a few rocky areas.”
Another wrote: “This is a great walk, only takes about 1hour each way. Should have a stick and good shoes for walking but otherwise very simple walk. Certainly recommend this if in the area, really pretty walk and great views from the caves.”
While a third visitor commented: “These are a set of natural pre-Ice Age caves set high in a limestone cliff, where a large number of animal bones were discovered during excavation (hence the name).
“It’s a beautiful trail through a deep, secluded valley with a steep climb up to the caves followed by a sharp vertigo-inducing descent right along the edge of the cliff back to the valley. We were greeted by a deer at the end of our walk!”