Near Inchnadamph, Assynt, Highlands, Scotland

The Bone Caves

Cave

Place photograph

8.2

Wildland

Half day

Time

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Cost

Dramatic

Feel

HillsValleyRemote countrysideWalkersPhotographersHistory lovers

Why it's Wildland

8.2

Limestone openings above an Assynt glen where excavations uncovered the bones of a colder, wilder Scotland.

The approach is as compelling as the caves: a burn, broken limestone and a narrowing glen lead towards dark openings in the cliff. The animal remains found here give this rugged walk a story that reaches far beyond the view.

Dramatic · Atmospheric · Wild

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Near Inchnadamph, Assynt, Highlands, Scotland

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The experience

Walk up the Allt nan Uamh glen, pausing at the waterfall near the start and noticing the shattered limestone beside the burn. Continue towards the cliff and its cave openings only as conditions and footing allow. This is a rough-ground outing rather than a roadside cave visit.

Things to do

Follow the Allt nan Uamh glen

Walk beside the Burn of the Caves as the hills draw closer and the ground becomes rockier. Accounts disagree about how easy the walk feels, so plan for rough terrain rather than a gentle promenade.

See the cave openings in Creag nan Uamh

Make the limestone cliff openings the focus of the walk. Their interest lies in the animal remains excavated here and their stark position above the glen, not in a displayed collection of bones.

Pause at the waterfall near the start

Look for the small waterfall shortly after leaving the car park. It gives the approach an early point of interest before the rougher upper glen.

Make a day of it

Quick escape · Allow a half day; walking time depends on conditions and footing.

The glen and the cave mouths

01
Start at the A837 car park south of Inchnadamph with walking boots, layers, water and an offline map; the source row reports no phone signal.
02
Follow the established path beside the Allt nan Uamh, looking for the waterfall near the start.
03
Continue up the increasingly rocky glen towards the limestone cliff and cave mouths.
04
Pause to take in the openings and their Ice Age animal story, keeping away from unstable edges and loose scree.
05
Return on the established walking path; do not extend into unsourced routes beyond the caves.

Verified history

Animal bones discovered in these limestone caves in the late nineteenth century revealed a very different Highland fauna. The supplied walking account describes finds including reindeer, arctic fox, lynx, wolf and bear. Today the visible connection to that story is the caves themselves, set into Creag nan Uamh above the glen. Precise excavation dates, the ages of individual finds and claims about human occupation need stronger archaeological sourcing than the material supplied.

Hidden details

The names describe the walk — Allt nan Uamh is translated in the walking account as Burn of the Caves, and Creag nan Uamh as Crag of the Caves: the watercourse and cliff tell you where you are heading.

Broken limestone beside the burn — Notice the shattered limestone boulders along the Allt nan Uamh. They bring the geology under your feet into the same story as the cave-bearing cliff ahead.

When to go

· Daylight, with ample time to return; late-afternoon light is mentioned in a walking account.

The source row recommends late spring or early autumn for walking conditions; no precise seasonal peak is established by the supplied research.

Wet rock and loose scree can make the cave approaches slippery. Wear boots with good grip and carry layers and water. The source row reports no phone signal, so do not depend on live navigation.

What to look for

The small waterfall near the trailhead, limestone boulders along the burn, and the cave openings in Creag nan Uamh. Look at the setting that preserved the animal remains rather than expecting bones on display.

The story

Science

Best time to go

Late spring or early autumn, in dry walking conditions.

Late spring or early autumn is the source row's recommendation. Choose dry weather and enough daylight for an unhurried return; late-afternoon light is described in a walking account, but should not dictate a late start.

How long to spend

Half day

Perfect for

Walkers · Photographers · History lovers

Practical information

Opening & access

Reached on foot from the A837 car park south of Inchnadamph, following the Allt nan Uamh glen. Visitor accounts describe a clear but rocky path, with steeper ground near the caves. Check conditions before visiting.

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Parking

Small car park beside the A837 south of Inchnadamph. Charges and current restrictions: check before visiting.

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Toilets

No on-site toilets recorded in the source row.

Food & drink

No on-site food facilities recorded. Bring water and any food you need.

Dogs

The source row lists dogs as welcome, and a visitor reports walking here with a dog. Current restrictions: check before visiting.

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Accessibility

Not wheelchair accessible according to the source row. Narrow, stony paths, steep sections and loose scree around the cave mouths require steady footing; this is not a level sightseeing stroll.

Cost

Check before visiting

Water

Stream, Waterfall