Spar Cave, Isle of Skye

Peering into the back of the Spar Cave near Elgol, Isle of Skye

It's almost certain that if you spend time on the Isle of Skye you will encounter some rough weather leaving you wondering what to do. Poor weather will almost certainly mean that even low lying crags will present problems but there is one spot worth a visit. The Spar Caves which lie down near Elgol are featured in the SMC Skye Scrambles guide. In fact they are number one in the book which details its exact location and description.It's a safe bet on a wet day as the main event is underground and out the way of the weather.

Not quite low tide but a fun sea level traverse to gain the caves geo.

There are two parts to this scramble one being the scramble out along the coast to get into the geo where it lies and then inside the cave which has a few metres of rock to get into the back of the cave itself. Its a short walk down from the parking through a field and down to the gully leading into an inlet which you need to catch at low tide in order to make the traverse out of the inlet and into the next. It is very much tidal though and worth bearing in mind when heading down as you could easily be caught short and unable to get in or for that matter out. Should you get stuck in the cave you wouldn’t come to any great harm but you would be twiddling your thumbs for a few hours until it recedes. The cave itself is set in the back of the geo and wouldn’t flood out you would just have to sit and wait for twelve hours.

Ascending the steep flow stone to the main cave

For those wanting some extra adventure you can abseil into the geo but that would miss out the sea level traverse to get in which is quite fun in itself. I think there are some recorded routes here but the rock is not of the best quality and bit loose on the sea cliffs. Looking up and down the coast from the sea level traverse there are some impressive looking cliffs but with some frightening looking vegetated top outs. As an area to use though on a wet day during a scrambling course there is quite a bit to do here with some large abseils and other areas that lend themselves to teaching.

Setting off around the coast from geo to geo

Leaving the inlet dependent on the tide will determine whether your above the water for any of it. If you are then it's quite fun on rough barnacle rock picking along the ledges until you step into the back of geo and onto the rounded rocky beach. Looking into the back of the geo it looks like a fairly damp hole but getting closer you see the caves. There are two one on the right which goes no where and the one on the left which is where to head into. Essential to bring a head torch and pop it on asit'ss very dark inside but as soon as you get in and turn round a bend the white Spar or Flowstone is everywhere and looks stunning. A form of Calcium Carbonate which once upon a time would have had lots of stalactites hanging from the ceiling which apparently the victorians would have pilfered many years ago. None the less its a very impressive sight. A short steep scramble up a step to a levelling and then another slightly steeper takes you into the main chamber. Its looks as though it would be really slippy but actually gives very good grip to climb up on.

Team shot in the cave

Once you reach the main cave its got a small clear lake which is the limits of the cave and return is made the same way. The cave was also featured in Walter Scotts poem ‘Lord of Isles’. Hopefully when you return out the tide is still out otherwise it will be a long wait.

Kit wise nothing much is needed but head torches are essential for heading into the cave. Its not a ‘caving’ cave and so there is no tight spaces and it doesn't feel claustrophobic in any way. Its quite wet and drippy inside so worth wearing a waterproof. Well worth a trip on a wild day to get out of the weather for a few hours and explore something different.