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HIGH PASTURE CAVE
Discovered in 1972 by students from the University of London Speleological Society, Uamh An Ard Achadh (Cave of the High Field or High Pasture Cave) lies approximately 1km south east of Torrin in a shallow valley on the north side of Beinn an Dubhaich (Grid Reference NGR NG 594 197). The cave contains around 320m of accessible passages making it the second longest cave complex on Skye.
The cave passages are formed in the Cambrian Durness Limestone that outcrops in the Parish of Strath, while volcanic activity from the nearby Central Red Cuillin Complex has guided the morphology of the cave.
WELCOME TO THE HIGH PASTURE CAVE ARCHAEOLOGICAL PROJECT
The High Pasture Cave & Environs Project was initiated in 2003, after disturbed archaeological deposits relating to the use of the site during the Late Bronze Age and Iron Age periods were found in a high-level fossil passage of the cave. Funding from a number of agencies and offers of work in-kind from university departments and freelance specialists has permitted archaeological survey and evaluation work to continue at the site, which is located in the south of the island of Skye, in the Parish of Strath. Fieldwork completed to date includes geophysical survey and excavation, while post-excavation analysis is looking at a wide range of materials and artefacts recovered from the site. Survey work on the surface above the cave passage has revealed a range of stone-built structures of possible prehistoric age including a large U-shaped enclosure. Evaluation of the wider landscape has revealed other archaeological features relating to prehistoric and historic settlement in this part of Skye, indicating the use of the land over a significant period of time.
Billy MacRae operating the bellows during the bronze casting demonstrations at the High Pasture Cave Open Days
Local archaeologists Steven Birch and Martin Wildgoose are co-directing the project work, which has also been assisted by volunteers from the local community and archaeology students from Mainland and overseas universities. From our preliminary investigations at High Pastures it would seem that the function of the site has changed through time and while it is possible that the cave may have been used as a natural feature in which to deposit domestic rubbish, it is also becoming increasingly obvious that people entered this dark and strange world for other reasons. Work at the site over the past two years has revealed a stone-built passage descending, via a steep flight of steps, from the surface to the natural limestone cave below. In 2005, the remains of three humans were found in the blocked stairwell, burials dating to the Iron Age around 2000 years ago, while a wide range of artefacts of stone, bone and antler were recovered from other areas of excavation at the site. Residues relating to metalworking have also been found, while a large assemblage of well preserved animal and fish bone provides evidence of the types of food that were being consumed at High Pastures during the prehistoric period.
Analysis of the animal bone suggests that unusual butchery practices were performed on some of the animals, especially on cattle and pig, indicating that feasting may have been taking place at the site on some occasions. These factors, combined with some of the deposits of fine quality artefacts, evidence for metalworking and the deposition of human remains in the blocked entrance to the cave, illustrate the importance of the site in the wider Iron Age landscape of Skye and its possible use in a ritual function. The entrance to the cave may have provided access to the ‘underworld’ or ‘Otherworld’, a liminal place in the landscape where people from the surrounding settlements held special feasts, made offerings to Celtic deities and undertook the manufacture of metals. What we may be witnessing at the High Pasture Cave site are elements of domestic life deployed in a specialised context, providing them with new emphasis.
Archaeological Fieldwork in 2008
Archaeological fieldwork at High Pastures during 2008 will include survey of the wider landscape around the site, while excavations will continue to investigate the stairwell and structures at the surface. In particular, we will be excavating the area immediately outside the stairwell entrance to the cave where we have uncovered deep archaeological deposits containing hearth settings and well-preserved small finds. The latter includes bone pins and antler tools. Elsewhere at the surface we will continue to investigate the burnt mound and spreads, to find the full extent of this feature and attempt to reveal how it formed through time.
The excavation of the threatened archaeological deposits in Bone Passage will also continue, from which we have recovered a significant and varied assemblage of small finds. Post-excavation analysis is on-going, while specialist on-site analysis this year will include micromorphology and pollen analysis.
Visitors are always welcome at the site and you will find us working Mondays to Fridays, between 10.00am and 5.00pm. Fieldwork will start in 2008 on Monday 19th May and will continue until the middle of September (date to be confirmed).
Fieldwork Volunteers Required for 2008
We are still looking for fieldwork volunteers for the High Pasture Cave & Environs Project for the 2008 season, from the local communities of Skye & Lochalsh and from further afield. Therefore, if you are interested in assisting the project team at the site please contact:
Steven Birch
Email:
Tel: 01471 822124
Martin Wildgoose
Email:
Tel: 01471 822562
Unfortunately, we cannot provide financial assistance or subsistance costs for volunteers, but we do provide on-site training in archaeological techniques and the opportunity to work in a dramatic location on the island of Skye.
Uamh Eich Bhric (Cave of the Speckled Horses)
Prior to opening our fieldwork for 2008 at the High Pasture Cave site Martin, Steven and George will be carrying out excavations at this amazing rock shelter site near Fiskavaig on the island of Skye. Located in a remote location, at the foot of steep and overhanging cliffs some 110 metres high, the site is threatened by coastal erosion. Large sections of the site have already been lost to the stormy seas over the past two years, so Historic Scotland have provided funding to enable us to evaluate the site before it is completely destroyed.
View looking up the coast to the rock shelter (marked by red asterix) showing the remote location, which is difficult of access by land and sea
For further details of the site and progress reports on the excavations visit the News Page on this website
LATEST NEWS
Open Days at High Pasture Cave
Follow the link for an update on the Open Days held at High Pasture Cave in June....
Read more about “Open Days at High Pasture Cave”
Fine Weather and some Pretty Finds from the High Pasture Cave Excavations
Click on this link to access the latest news from the High Pasture Cave excavations.....
Read more about “Fine Weather and some Pretty Finds from the High Pasture Cave Excavations”
Past news items in the news archive
If you have enjoyed what you've seen here you'll also want to visit Ogof Ffynnon Ddu, a huge cave in South Wales.