The Cave of the Fleas

“At Cove, Achnasheen, there is a cave called "Uamh nan Deargann" (Cave of the Fleas). It's also known as the 'Preaching Cave' and was used as a church - complete with wooden pews and a pulpit - until the beginning of the 20th century.

"The tenant farmer told me in 2019 that his family were friends with the last lady to be baptised there, in the 1920s. Unfortunately I don't think she's with us any longer, but Gairloch Museum has a fantastic photograph of a girl standing by the pulpit, taken in 1928.

"I’m an archaeologist, and as part of a survey of Loch Ewe, inspected the cave. There is evidence for extensive use by people and animals alike. There were a few rifle shell casings, which are likely to have been from when Loch Ewe was used as a naval base in World War II, as well as a deposit of shells and animal bone (known as a ‘midden’). Shell middens around Scotland are known to exist from the Medieval period, right the way back to the Mesolithic (particularly at around 6000 years ago). This one is probably more recent, but is a fascinating insight into the continued use of the cave.”

As told by Steph Piper

More information on visiting the area can be found here.