Uamh-an-Righ

The King's Cave - Bruces Cave

Useful Information

Location:	Above Loch Voil, among the rocks of Craigruie, Balquhidder Glen. (56.34996, -4.44483)
Open:	No restrictions. [2021]
Fee:	free. [2021]
Classification:	erosional cave Ben Ledi Grit Formation - Psammite And Semipelite
Light:	none.
Dimension:
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:	G A F Knight (1914): Archaeological notes from Perthshire and Argyllshire Transactions and Proceedings of the Perthshire Society for Natural Science, vol. 5, 1909-14. Page(s): 150.
Address:
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History

1914	visited by G A F Knight.

Description

This area is rather famous, as it has not only a Bruce Cave (as they confess, one of many), but nearby Balquhidder was the home of Rob Roy MacGregor. There are a museum, Rob Roy's house and his grave on the local cemetery.

Balquhidder Glen, named after the village, extends to the west. A narrow road along the northern shores of Loch Voil, leads to the hamlet Craigruie. The cave is said to be located above the hamlet, between the rocks. It is difficult to find, being quite invisible from below. It is actually more or less an overhanging rock created by the weathering of the rocks. However, there are theories that it is a trial adit for a lead mine or an adit associated with prehistoric ironstone mining.

Of course it is possible that Robert the Bruce took shelter in this cave. The valley is rather remote, close to the main locations of the story and as good as any other location. Still there is no evidence that Robert the Bruce ever visited this place. At least: Craigruie translates Kings Rock.

'Nothing of the slightest antiquarian interest could I discover; nor were there any relics'.
G A F Knight 1914.