Inchnadamph Bone Caves SSSI
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The Inchnadamph Bone Caves are located off A837 between Ledmore Junction and Loch Assynt. Parking is available at the hatchery at N58 06.927 W004 58.012 and is well signposted from the road. The whole walk is approx 4km in total, taking approx 1 ½ hrs
This cache has been placed to celebrate our 200th cache find!
The caves give us a unique glimpse back in time revealing what animals lived here during the last 45,000 years. From arctic polar bears and northern lynx, to the hyenas and hippos of warmer climes, many different animals have left their mark on the Bone Caves.
The last Ice Age, known as the Quaternary, lasted for about 2 million years, with cycles of ice building up then melting every 100,000 years or so. We are in an interglacial now, and the last interglacial was around 125,000 years ago. At that time Britain would have been covered in trees and it was warm enough for hyena and hippopotamus.
Around 115,000 years ago the climate became colder and drier and the vegetation changed to tundra. The tundra was grazed by reindeer 40,000 years ago and they were hunted by bear and wolves. Around 25,000 years ago it became colder and wetter again and glaciers started to build up until 18,000 years ago when the ice retreated again. By 13,000 years ago the ice had gone, although it came back briefly 11,000 years ago for around 1000 years.
Massive glaciers would have carved out the glens. The cave systems would have started to be formed more than 200,000 year ago when the water-resistant schist had been eroded from above the softer limestone. Water then began to drain into the limestone, dissolving the rock and causing the cracks in the rock to widen and form cave systems. At this time the glen floor would have been at the level of the Cnoc an Uamh and Creag nan Uamh caves. When the glaciers lowered the levels of the glen, the Bone Caves were left where we find them today - high and dry.
Geologists, Ben Peach and John Horne, were the first to uncover bones in 1889 but further excavations in 1925 unearthed a wealth of finds including bear teeth, reindeer antler, and a wildcat jawbone. A return visit in 1927 yielded the very exciting find of a Northern Lynx skull which is as old 1,770 years old. As well as the Northern Lynx, bones of arctic lemming, arctic fox, wolf and brown bear were also found. Another interesting find is that of a probable Polar bear. This was discovered when the 1927 remains were recently re-evaluated and it has been dated at around 18,855 years old
In one of the caves, a human skull, with both upper and lower jaws missing was found in a small stone enclosure, which suggests a burial. A second burial was found in the narrow crack at the back of the cave. These bones were found in a confused heap, lightly covered with cave earth. Bones of four people have been radiocarbon dated to between 4515 and 4720 years old. An object made from red deer antler has been dated as 850 years old.
The significance of the Bone Caves is recognised by their designation as an Ancient Monument by Historic Scotland and as a Site of Special Scientific Interest by Scottish Natural Heritage. Please respect this important site. Further information can be found by contacting Scottish Natural Heritage on 01854 618418.
The Bone Caves is also part of the Knockan Crag Rock Route which offers information boards at various locations along a pre-designated route. For more information and a downloadable map, please visit. www.knockan-crag.co.uk
This whole area is also part of the North West Highlands Geopark. The Park starts at The Summer Isles in Wester Ross and continues northwards through west Sutherland to the north coast. The Geopark extends to the east of Durness, beyond Loch Eriboll, and on to The Moine. The eastern boundary of the Geopark largely follows the Moine Thrust zone, a famous and important geological structure. For further information, please visit www.northwest-highlands-geopark.org.uk
The path to the caves is a narrow track and not suitable for the very young, elderly or disabled. The Bone Caves are at least 2km from the car park and the weather conditions in this area can change rapidly, so please dress sensibly and make sure you have appropriate footwear and outer clothing, should the weather turn horrible. As you approach the caves, the path is very steep and there is a sheer drop, so please take care with children and dogs.
We wish to extend our thanks to Scottish Natural Heritage and North West Highlands Geopark for their co-operation and to the landowner for the permission to set this earth cache.
To bag this cache please take a photograph of yourself at the entrance of the bone caves and answer the following questions:
•According to your GPS, what is your approximate elevation whilst at the Bone Caves?
•How many cave mouths are there?
•Which museum currently houses skulls and antlers from the cave finds.
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)