Dunton Cove

The cave is only large enough for a few people and the regular lines of the rectangular opening add emphasis to its artificial origin or creation from a pre-existing cavity.

Internally the cave has no special features such as a shelf for sitting and its therefore seems to have been used as a short term refuge used whilst soldiers were temporarily in the vicinity.

The opening is obvious from the level of the Craufurdland Water and it is said that a bush such as gorse or willow would be pulled up and tied with ropes over the entrance as camouflage.

No specific record of the cave's use are recorded however Covenanter sympathies were strong in the area and the 'Fugitive Roll' of May 1684 records "Andrew Gemmil, in Bembreich (Benbeoch); James Lindsay and his son Thomas in Glerfin (Clanfin), and his son, Thomas Lindsay; James Howie and his son, John Howie at Lochgoin Farm and also living at Lochgoin was Isobel Howie, who is known to have gone into hiding after a raid on Lochgoin.

"[10] A story is recorded by one author of soldiers pursuing a group of Covenanters across the moors and upon reaching the Craufurdland Water they became aware that their prey had entered this cave and rather than soak their uniforms crossing the water course they instead fired a number of rounds into the opening and left satisfied that the men had been killed however having laid themselves on the floor they were in fact unscathed.

Rectangular entrance to the cave.
The cave within the cliff face.