St Columba, a Celtic missionary born in Ireland, came to Iona in 563 to convert the Scottish Picts to Christianity. There are several 'St Columba's Caves', the best-known of which is at Lochead on Kintyre. He visited Ardnamurchan early in his mission, landing at Camas nan Geall, but our cave, Uamha Thuill, lies at grid reference NM538710, on the north coast between Kilmory and Swordle. It is a wild and bleak coastline, with deep bays separated by sharp, rocky headlands.
One of the entrances to the cave is visible to the left of this photo. The rocks of the area are alternations of sandstones and limestones, into which sills of igneous dolerite have been intruded. The cave has been cut by the sea into a layer of limestone which is protected by an overlying dolerite.
The cave has two entrances which lead into a chamber which can be entered in a stooped position. A smaller cave, accessible by scrambling on ones stomach, lies at the back of this. Just behind the left hand entrance is a small, natural rock pool filled by water dripping from the roof. The saint is supposed to have used this as a font, in which he baptised two robbers. Today, the pool contains the rotting bones of a dead sheep.
Perhaps the hard, lonely life Columba lived in this cave had its compensations in the magnificence of the scenery and the wonderful view north, across the sea to Rhum, Eigg, Muck and Skye.
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