Cleeves Cove cave

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Cleeves Cove

Location North Ayrshire
Length 500 feet
Coordinates 55°41′29.3″N, 4°40′45.6″W
Access Safe
Translation The word 'Cove' as used here means 'Cave' (Scots)

The Cleeves Cove cave system is on the Dusk Water in North Ayrshire near Dalry and Kilwinning, Scotland.

[edit] The cave system

Cleeves, or Cleaves, cove cave system is situated in the lower bed of carboniferous limestone. It measures around 500 feet if all the passages were put together. The caves are now well above the level of the Dusk Water and lie close to Cleeves Farm and Blair Mill on the Blair Estate. Many of the stalactites and stalagmites have been damaged by visitors. The cave has three practical entrances facing onto the Dusk Water which should be approached with due caution and appropriate footwear.

A number of older books refer to the romantic sylvan dell of Auchenskeigh (now Auchenskeith). The calcareous incrustations in these caves were compared with Gothic fretwork. A number of old limestone quarries lie close to the modern day farm of Auchenskeith, but it is likely that Auchenskeigh is a synonym for Cleeves Cove.[1]

Contents

[edit] History

The word 'Cove' in Scots means 'Cave',[2] however 'cave' is added here as this Scot's word is not widely known or used nowadays (2007). John Smith published a monograph entitled Cleaves Cove Stalactites and Stalagmites, published by Mr. Elliot Stock in which he provided drawings and a detailed description of these structures within the cave system.[3] This is fortunate, for as previously noted, many have been destroyed. The site was previously known as the 'Elfhouse' or 'Elfhame'[4] the locals at that time believed that these magical creatures had made this their abode.[5] Ness[6] calls the site 'Glen O'Dusk' or the Elf-hame, the caves being the Elf-house.

The 1833 plan of the cave system before they were excavated by John Smith.
The 1833 plan of the cave system before they were excavated by John Smith.
[7]
One of the entrances.
One of the entrances.

The cave system was created in the Dusk glen when the waters of the Dusk (Gaelic for 'black water')[8] ran through and eroded the limestone, followed by a period when it was relatively dry allowing the stalactites and stalagmites to form and finally a progressive infilling with soil washed in from above, resulting in a partial infilling of the caves and passageways; at this point John Smith obtained permission from Captain Blair, R.N., of Blair House to explore and ultimately remove some 300 tons of material.[9] The cave now lies 40 feet above the Dusk Water due to the excavation of the gorge by the river. Near the middle is a spacious chamber, 35 feet long by 27 broad and 12 high. The internal surfaces of the chambers and passageways are covered with calcareous incrustations and numerous crevices branch off in all directions. It was regarded in Victorian times as one of the greatest natural curiosities in Ayrshire.[5]

An emerald, bronze finger-ring and two iron spears from John Smith's excavations.
An emerald, bronze finger-ring and two iron spears from John Smith's excavations.[10]

[edit] Finds

During his excavations John Smith unearthed a number of man-made objects such as a flint knife, spindle-whorl, bone spoon, bronze finger-rings, bone spoon, a stag's horn handle, spear heads, parts of a bridle, an iron battle-axe and a cut-glass emerald. Various bones were found, including those of beaver, sheep, hare, rabbit, cat, rat, dog, weasel, pheasant, partridge, duck, goat, ox, pig, and goose. The seeds of fourteen species of plants were found, however none were from edible cereals.[3]

[edit] Human and animal occupants

Charcoal deposits were found, suggesting that fires had been lit within. The evidence suggests that the caves were used at some point by humans for either temporary shelter, refuge at times of crisis or both. Dobie[5] records that the cave system was used as a refuge for the local Covenanters during the times of their persecution by the government of Charles II (1630 - 85) and Paterson confirms this, indicating that the Statistical Account of Ayrshire, written by the local ministers, was his source.[4] At other times the cave system appears to have been the haunt of foxes, bats and other animals.

[edit] Gallery of cave images

A passageway
A passageway
One of several entrances/exits to the cave system from inside
One of the entrances to the cave system as seen from the Dusk Water.
Another of the entrances/exits to the cave system from the inside.
A passageway.
A passageway.
The Dusk Water below Cleeves Cove caves.

[edit] The Pondery Geocache

A Geocache is located at Pondery Hill in the nearby Pencot and Bowertrapping Community Woodland. A GPS will be required to locate it. Please go to www.geocaching.com for further information

[edit] References

  1. ^ Harvey, William (1910), Picturesque Ayrshire. Pub. Valentine & sons, Dundee, etc. P. 90.
  2. ^ Warrack, Alexander (1982). "Chambers Scots Dictionary". Chambers. ISBN 0-550-11801-2.
  3. ^ a b Smith, John (1895). Prehistoric Man in Ayrshire. Pub. Elliot Stock. P. 62 - 68.
  4. ^ a b Paterson, James (1863-66). History of the Counties of Ayr and Wigton. V. - III - Cunninghame. J. Stillie. Edinburgh. P. 140.
  5. ^ a b c Dobie, James D. (ed Dobie, J.S.) (1876). Cunninghame, Topographized by Timothy Pont 1604–1608, with continuations and illustrative notices. Pub. John Tweed, Glasgow. P. 125.
  6. ^ Ness, J. A. (1969 - 70). Landmarks of Kilwynnyng. Privately produced. P. 31.
  7. ^ Dobie, James D. (ed Dobie, J.S.) (1876). Cunninghame, Topographized by Timothy Pont 1604–1608, with continuations and illustrative notices. Pub. John Tweed, Glasgow.
  8. ^ Dobie, James D. (ed Dobie, J.S.) (1876). Cunninghame, Topographized by Timothy Pont 1604–1608, with continuations and illustrative notices. Pub. John Tweed, Glasgow. P. 124.
  9. ^ Smith, John (1895). Prehistoric Man in Ayrshire. Pub. Elliot Stock. P. 62.
  10. ^ Smith, John (1895). Prehistoric Man in Ayrshire. Pub. Elliot Stock. P. 65.