Walk: Bone Caves - limestone, lynx & leeches

July 13, 2017

Highland | Assynt | Short walk | ★★★★

[Bone Caves]

Tens of thousands of years ago Scotland was home to an array of much bigger beasts than the ones you'll find today. A row of caves high above the Allt nan Uamh near Inchnadamph have provided rich pickings for old animal bones: the remains of lynx, brown bear, reindeer, Arctic fox and even polar bear have all been discovered here in recent decades, alongside human skeletons dating to a mere few thousand years ago. The caves themselves are fairly roomy inside and two are even connected by a natural passageway. The approach along the glen is quite straightforward and, thanks to the limestone rock type, passes a large spring (and other smaller ones) where most of the valley's water bubbles up from underground.

[Approaching the caves]

📌 Walk: Bone Caves - limestone, lynx & leeches ★★★★
Car park on A837 3 mi south of Inchnadamph, G.R.: NC 253179 ///weekends.active.indulges

▶ 5 km / 3 mi | ▲ 210 m | ⌚ Short | ⬤ Moderate
Features: Fuaran Allt nan Uamh (spring); Bone Caves
Terrain: Good paths with just a few narrow or steep sections near the caves and rare boggy parts.

Route & map

Car park - Fuaran Allt nan Uamh - keep left at path junction at G.R.: NC 265173 - cross (usually dry) Allt nan Uamh at G.R.: NC 270171 - Bone Caves - earlier path junction - return by outward route

Route credit: Walkhighlands
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On our visit

Wildlife: No lynx any more, but lots of frogs, bees, magpie moths; shrimp and leech in the spring.
Weather: Dry with sunny intervals and light winds.

Chronological photo guide