The Massacre Cave of Eigg

Isle of Eigg, Inner Hebrides, Scotland

In 1577, the entire population of Eigg — 395 people — took shelter from a MacLeod raiding party in a cave. The MacLeods lit a fire at the entrance. No one escaped. The cave is still there.

Uamh Fhraing — the cave in the cliffs at Uamh Mhòr on the Isle of Eigg — is a real, documented site of one of the most complete massacres in Scottish history. The event took place in 1577 and the physical evidence was found in the 19th century. The background: the MacLeods had a longstanding grievance with the MacDonalds of Eigg. A party of MacLeods landed on Eigg and, in the course of their visit, behaved badly enough that the islanders tied them up and put them on their boat, which was then set adrift. The MacLeods returned. The population of Eigg — 395 people according to subsequent accounts — took refuge in a cave whose entrance was partially hidden by the cliff face. The cave ran deep enough and was large enough to hold the entire community. The entrance was a low, narrow crawl. The MacLeod force searched the island and found nothing. They were preparing to leave when a scout went up on the cliff and saw footprints in the snow leading to the cave entrance. They lit a fire at the entrance, fed it for an hour, and left. When they returned, they found 395 people dead from smoke inhalation and the fire's consumption of air. In 1845, a farmer found human bones in the cave — the remains of the dead, where they had fallen. The bones were reinterred. The cave is accessible from the shore. Visitors go inside. The atmosphere is described consistently as oppressive and resistant to company.

Folklore Disclaimer: These accounts are drawn from local tradition, oral history, and community memory. They are not presented as factual claims.

Location accuracy: Approximate. Coordinates indicate the general area.