Scotland

Cave grades by difficulty

Grade 1 (EC): Easy cave, no difficulties or pitches.

Grade 2 (MC): Moderate caves, small potholes, mild challenges, and minor hazards.

Grade 3 (DC): Difficult caves and potholes with hazards, and challenging or strenuous sections, requires technical SRT skills & Experience.

Grade 4 (VDC): Very strenuous caves and potholes which present hazards, difficult obstacles, dangerous pitches, the possibility of getting stuck, or possible rising water, also requires advanced SRT proficiency, it’s a must.

Grade 5 (SC/SSC): Very Severe, highly dangerous caves and potholes which can flood to the roof without warning very strenuous sections needing fitness and commitment, wet underground pitches. Hypothermia is a real risk, do not enter these caves without the highest level of experience,
For some “Grade 5, (SC/SSC)” caves, rescue beyond a certain point is going to be challenging and/or borderline impossible for rescue equipment without needing to damage the cave, great care must be taken at all times!

SSSI Meaning: SSSI is a cave or mine that is located within a “Site of Special Scientific Interest” (SSSI), a protected area of land or water that is important for its scientific, geological, or biological features.

You should seek as much information as possible on a location and if you are unsure, ask on UK-Caving. UK-Caving has a great wealth of knowledgeable people, who are more than happy to help when asked.

The Minimal Impact Caving information:

Click Here - Download the Guidelines Document!

  • Site Name: Allt a’Chalda Mor Stream Cave
    Location: Assynt
    Caving Region: Scotland
    Site Type: Cave
    Adoption Status: Needs Adopting
    Adopted by: N/A
    Assessed by: N/A
    Condition Status: Unknown

    Link: https://cncc.org.uk/cave/allt-achalda-mor-stream-cave

  • Site Name: Allt nan Uamh Stream Cave
    Location: Assynt
    Caving Region: Scotland
    Site Type: Cave
    Adoption Status: Needs Adopting
    Adopted by: N/A
    Assessed by: N/A
    Condition Status: Unknown

    Link: https://cncc.org.uk/cave/allt-nan-uamh-stream-cave

  • Site Name: Cleaves Cove
    Location: Ayrshire
    Caving Region: Scotland
    Site Type: Cave
    Adoption Status: Needs Adopting
    Adopted by: N/A
    Assessed by: N?A
    Condition Status: Unknown

    Link: https://cncc.org.uk/cave/cleaves-cove

  • Site Name: Cnoc nan Uamh
    Location: Assynt
    Caving Region: Scotland
    Site Type: Cave
    Adoption Status: Needs Adopting
    Adopted by: N/A
    Assessed by: N/A
    Condition Status: Unknown

    Link: https://cncc.org.uk/cave/cnoc-nan-uamh

  • Site Name: Draught Caledonian
    Location: Appin
    Caving Region: Scotland
    Site Type: Cave
    Adoption Status: Needs Adopting
    Adopted by: N/A
    Assessed by: N/A
    Condition Status: Unknown

    Link: https://cncc.org.uk/cave/draught-caledonian

  • Site Name: Elphin Hole
    Location: Knockan
    Caving Region: Scotland
    Site Type: Cave
    Adoption Status: Needs Adopting
    Adopted by: N/A
    Assessed by: N/A
    Condition Status: Unknown

    Link: https://cncc.org.uk/cave/elphin-hole

  • Site Name: Glenbain Hole
    Location: Assynt
    Caving Region: Scotland
    Site Type: Cave
    Adoption Status: Needs Adopting
    Adopted by: N/A
    Assessed by: N/A
    Condition Status: Unknown

    Link: https://cncc.org.uk/cave/glenbain-hole

  • Site Name: Jeanie Barrie’s Cave
    Location: Peeblesshire
    Caving Region: Scotland
    Site Type: Cave
    Adoption Status: Needs Adopting
    Adopted by: N/A
    Assessed by: N/A
    Condition Status: Unknown

    Link: https://cncc.org.uk/cave/jeanie-barries-cave

  • Site Name: Lower Traligill Cave
    Location: Assynt
    Caving Region: Scotland
    Site Type: Cave
    Adoption Status: Needs Adopting
    Adopted by: N/A
    Assessed by: N/A
    Condition Status: Unknown

    Link: https://cncc.org.uk/cave/lower-traligill-cave

  • Site Name: Poll Breugair
    Location: Applecross
    Caving Region: Scotland
    Site Type: Cave
    Adoption Status: Unknown
    Adopted by: N/A
    Assessed by: N/A
    Condition Status: Unknown

    Link: https://cncc.org.uk/cave/poll-breugair

  • Site Name: Poll Seomar
    Location: Appin
    Caving Region: Scotland
    Site Type: Cave
    Adoption Status: Needs Adopting
    Adopted by: N/A
    Assessed by: N/A
    Condition Status: Unknown

    Link: https://cncc.org.uk/cave/poll-seomar

  • Site Name: Rana Hole
    Location: Assynt
    Caving Region: Scotland
    Site Type: Cave
    Adoption Status: Needs Adopting
    Adopted by: N/A
    Assessed by: N/A
    Condition Status: Unknown

    Link: https://cncc.org.uk/cave/rana-hole

  • Site Name: Smoo Cave
    Location: Durness
    Caving Region: Scotland
    Site Type: Cave
    Adoption Status: Needs Adopting
    Adopted by: N/A
    Assessed by: N/A
    Condition Status: Unknown

    Link: https://cncc.org.uk/cave/smoo-cave

  • Site Name: St George's Cave
    Location: Assynt
    Caving Region: Scotland
    Site Type: Cave
    Adoption Status: Needs Adopting
    Adopted by: N/A
    Assessed by: N/A
    Condition Status: Unknown

    Link: https://cncc.org.uk/cave/st-georges-cave

  • Site Name: Tree Hole
    Location: Assynt
    Caving Region: Scotland
    Site Type: Cave
    Adoption Status: Needs Adopting
    Adopted by: N/A
    Assessed by: N/A
    Condition Status: Unknown

    Link: https://cncc.org.uk/cave/tree-hole

  • Site Name: Uamh a’Chromaichag
    Location: Appin
    Caving Region: Scotland
    Site Type: Cave
    Adoption Status: Needs Adopting
    Adopted by: N/A
    Assessed by: N/A
    Condition Status: Unknown

    Link: https://cncc.org.uk/cave/uamh-achromaichag

  • Site Name: Uamh an Claonaite
    Location: Assynt
    Caving Region: Scotland
    Site Type: Cave
    Adoption Status: Needs Adopting
    Adopted by: N/A
    Assessed by: N/A
    Condition Status: Unknown

    Link: https://cncc.org.uk/cave/uamh-an-claonaite

  • Site Name: Uamh an Tartair
    Location: Knockan
    Caving Region: Scotland
    Site Type: Cave
    Adoption Status: Needs Adopting
    Adopted by: N/A
    Assessed by: N/A
    Condition Status: Unknown

    Link: https://cncc.org.uk/cave/uamh-an-tartair

  • Site Name: Uamh an Tobair Dhuibh
    Location: Appin
    Caving Region: Scotland
    Site Type: Cave
    Adoption Status: Needs Adopting
    Adopted by: N/A
    Assessed by: N/A
    Condition Status: unknown

    Link: https://cncc.org.uk/cave/uamh-an-tobair-dhuibh

  • Site Name: Uamh Coire Sheileach
    Location: Appin
    Caving Region: Scotland
    Site Type: Cave
    Adoption Status: Needs Adopting
    Adopted by: N/A
    Assessed by: N/A
    Condition Status: Unknown

    Link: https://cncc.org.uk/cave/uamh-coire-sheileach

  • Site Name: Uamh na Doineann
    Location: Assynt
    Caving Region: Scotland
    Site Type: Cave
    Adoption Status: Needs Adopting
    Adopted by: N/A
    Assessed by: N/A
    Condition Status: Unknown

    Link: https://cncc.org.uk/cave/uamh-na-doineann

  • Site Name: Uamh na Duilean Briste
    Location: Appin
    Caving Region: Scotland
    Site Type: Cave
    Adoption Status: Needs Adopting
    Adopted by: N/A
    Assessed by: N/A
    Condition Status: Unknown

    Link: https://cncc.org.uk/cave/uamh-na-duilean-briste

  • Site Name: Uamh nan Claig-ionn
    Location: Appin
    Caving Region: Scotland
    Site Type: Cave
    Adoption Status: Needs Adopting
    Adopted by: N/A
    Assessed by: N/A
    Condition Status: Unknown

    Link: https://cncc.org.uk/cave/uamh-nan-claig-ionn

  • Site Name: Uamh Poll Eoghainn
    Location: Knockan
    Caving Region: Scotland
    Site Type: Cave
    Adoption Status: Needs Adopting
    Adopted by: N/A
    Assessed by: N/A
    Condition Status: Unknown

    Link: https://cncc.org.uk/cave/uamh-poll-eoghainn