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The cave may have originated as a natural cavity however its enlargement with access via ropes would have provided a secure hiding place for valuables and charters from
Dunskellie Castles during border raids or wars. As early as 1408 the name 'Cove' (Scots for cave) was used instead of Dunskellie or
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and is well above the flood level of the river. The entrance has been modified several times with a rebated entrance indicating an external door closing flush with the rock face as well as internal holes in the floor and ceiling that may have been for a pair of internally closing doors. A pair of
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on the south side of the water course. Access is via steps cut into the rock and a platform supported by timbers slotted into the cave via square holes cut into the rock. The pathway was built by the local council in 1927 as previously visitors were lowered on a rope over the overhang, from which
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This was carried out for Emma
Ermengarda Ogilvy who had married Patrick Greville-Nugent. Emma was the granddaughter of George Ogilvy of Cove, the family having come from Aberdeenshire, acquiring the Cove Estate in 1835. The inscription is recorded as being present in 1902.
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and 700 were killed. As punishment he
Johnstone's lands were confiscated and Dunskellie Castle was demolished. A typical 1680 two-storey laird's house was built with the stone from the old castle and in 1844 Cove House was built, incorporating parts of the older building.
347:", meaning the fort of the teller of tales or romances. The term 'grotto' may also add credence to the suggestion that the cave was once used as a hermitage and had been the abode of a soothsayer or hermit such as at
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In 1907 Colonel Irving refers to the site as the "Cove of the
Dunskelly" and the link with Robert the Bruce is linked with the Irving or Irvine family history to help explain the generous gift by the king of the
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On the rock face beside the entrance path are two inscriptions, the first being a shield with a cross in the centre and a castellated bar across the top of the device whilst the second is a five pointed star.
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Dunskellie Castle passed from the
Irvings to the Johnstones in the 16th century however this led to its destruction as in 1593 Sir James Johnstone of Dunskellie attacked the Maxwells in
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square section holes on either side have been referred to as spy or ventilation holes but may be linked to the need for large timber supports to hold up the external platform. The
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beneath am overhanging section of the cliff below Bruce's Cave. Cut into the rock is the inscription 'M--- Irving, 1794' and many other rock-cut graffiti are present.
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hid from the
English soldiers here for several months in 1306, provided with food and drink by his supporter William Irving, Laird of Dunskellie. The expression "
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Dunskelly as the name of the estate. In 1794 it was regarded as an antiquity but without any reference to the local legend that
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The lands became known as 'Cove' and the present day mansion house is built on or near the foundations of
Dunskellie Castle.
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is a relatively small and mainly artificial cave created in the red sandstone cliffs about 9 metres above the
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The
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Tool markings are distinct in a number of areas and the cave is roughly circular with an alcove or
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A four metre long and half metre deep bench cut into the cliff lies around 2 metres above the
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in
Aberdeenshire. Sir William Irving had been Robert the Bruce's standard-bearer at the 1314
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543:. Dumfriesshire and Galloway Natural History and Antiquarian Society. ISSN 0959-1052.
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Kirkpatrick
Fleming, Dumfriesshire. An Anatomy of a Parish in South West Scotland
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Bruce's Cave Caravan Park charge a small fee for parking and access to the cave.
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is another strong contender for being the site of this famous event.
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The name 'Dunskellie' is said to derive from the Scots Gaelic "
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Cove House may stand on the foundations of Dunskellie Castle.
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they would swing into the cave, resulting in many accidents.
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Bruce's cave is located in a red sandstone cliff above the
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Above the entrance is the following inscription :
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The interior of Bruce's Cave with the altar or alcove.
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If at first you don’t succeed try, try and try again
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263:was Lord of Annandale and had lived as child at
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549:King Robert the Bruce's Cave Caravan Park.
46:Kirkpatrick-Fleming, Dumfries and Galloway
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514:King Robert the Bruce's Cave Caravan Park
503:King Robert the Bruce's Cave Caravan Park
470:King Robert the Bruce's Cave Caravan Park
459:King Robert the Bruce's Cave Caravan Park
1104:Protected areas of Dumfries and Galloway
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547:Welcome to King Robert the Bruce's Cave
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205:holds 'Rock Doors' from Bruce's Cove.
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305:"Within this cave kynge robert bruce
174:Inscription above the cave entrance.
315:lyke my Forbearers who for hym fell
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1109:Landforms of Dumfries and Galloway
355:and Warksworth in Northumberland.
310:from foes pursuent soughte a truce
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1124:Parishes in Dumfries and Galloway
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448:Bruce's Cave. Kirkpatrick-Fleming
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279:Dunskellie Castle and Cove House
320:j ermengarde doe guard yt well"
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561:Video footage of Bruce's Cave.
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437:Canmore - Cove, Bruce's Cave
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1114:14th century in Scotland
398:Peden's Cave (Auchinbay)
86:55.022504°N 3.1511723°W
539:Mercer, Roger (1997).
525:Gazetteer for Scotland
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58:NY 2650 7038
21:Bruce's Cave
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1048:Penninghame
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915:Kirkgunzeon
812:Tundergarth
807:Torthorwald
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65:Coordinates
1093:Categories
1063:Stoneykirk
1023:Kirkmaiden
1003:Glasserton
935:Lochrutton
870:Carsphairn
827:Westerkirk
727:Kirkconnel
657:Dryfesdale
622:Applegarth
404:References
118:Difficulty
74:55°01′21″N
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960:Terregles
945:New Abbey
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732:Kirkmahoe
717:Johnstone
687:Glencairn
672:Durisdeer
637:Closeburn
331:Etymology
285:Lockerbie
273:Loch Doon
269:Turnberry
154:at Cove,
110:Entrances
102:Elevation
77:3°09′04″W
1073:Whithorn
1043:Old Luce
1038:New Luce
1008:Kirkcolm
975:Twynholm
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792:Sanquhar
787:Ruthwell
777:Mouswald
752:Langholm
707:Holywood
667:Dunscore
662:Dumfries
632:Canonbie
371:See also
105:9 metres
43:Location
1078:Wigtown
1033:Mochrum
1028:Leswalt
955:Rerrick
890:Girthon
865:Buittle
802:Tinwald
782:Penpont
652:Dornock
533:Sources
209:History
146:or the
137:Private
126:Hazards
52:OS grid
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692:Gretna
647:Dalton
191:aumbry
134:Access
129:Access
895:Kells
885:Dalry
617:Annan
409:Notes
998:Inch
722:Keir
682:Ewes
271:and
121:Easy
980:Urr
599:in
351:in
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