St Ninian's Cave
Physgill, near Whithorn
St Ninian brought Christianity to southern Scotland around 400 and is said to have prayed in this sea cave. Pilgrims have visited for centuries, carving crosses into the rock, and still leave little crosses of driftwood.
Read the full story, see it on the map, get directions and find what else is nearby in the free Hidden Britain Atlas map.
- When
- From about 700
- Where
- 54.6940, -4.4310
- Group
- Caves & grottoes
Visiting
A woodland and beach walk from the car park at Kidsdale.

The Ledger of Lost Britain
The Romans arrived in AD 43. For most people that is where the history of Britain begins. But by the time the legions landed, people had already been living on these islands for thousands of years. They had hunted, farmed, mined flint, dragged stones across the country, raised a hill by hand, and buried their dead in great tombs. They left no written words. What they left was the ground itself. Every place in this book can be visited, or has been dug up, or is in a museum.
Nearby mysteries
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- RAF West FreughUFO case · Near Stranraer, Wigtownshire · 23 miles away
- Galloway HoardLost treasure · Near Kirkcudbright, Galloway · 26 miles away
- St Maughold's WellHoly well · Maughold Head, Isle of Man · 28 miles away
- King Orry's GraveMysterious grave · Laxey, Isle of Man · 32 miles away
- The Buggane of St Trinian'sBigfoot & Hominids · St Trinian's Church, near Crosby, Isle of Man · 34 miles away