[4] The cave stands about 300 yards from the northern end of the red sandstone cliffs and was formed by wave action[5] working at a weak point, a fissure, at the base of red sandstone cliffs that run from the Brigurd Point to Portencross; however it now stands about 10 feet (3.0 m) above the level of the old raised beach that runs down to the sea.

Some apparent man-made workings on the rock face exist close by; however, there is an absence of religious symbols or graffiti of any kind.

However, the soft red sandstone is easily eroded by rain and wind action, and any such markings may have been lost even if they ever existed.

Until covered over the remains of a dressed stone frame formed an iron grille over a hole in the cave roof suggesting its use as a grotto in the 19th century.

The name 'Hawking Craig' refers to the medieval practice of collecting young sparrowhawks and goshawks for the sport of falconry.

Wilson records in the early 19th century seeing several graves made of six stones that only contained ashes and a large cairn at the base of the cliff where the skirmish took place in which coins were found.

[21] Local legend has it that three sisters, Meg, Jean and Lizzie,[22] were witches and whipped up the storm that caused such havoc amongst King Haco's fleet.