Taking a look inside Assynt’s ancient Bone Caves

High on a limestone cliff in the north west Highlands are caves that have fascinated visitors to the area for at least 135 years.

The first scientific excavations of the Bone Caves at Creag nan Uamh, by geologists Ben Peach and John Horne in 1889, uncovered remains of Arctic animals and also evidence the caves were used by hunters about 8,000 years ago.

In the years since Peach and Horne, discoveries have included large chambers, an underground passage known to be at least 2 miles (3km) long – and a 20,000-year-old polar bear bone.

Speleologists – experts in cave exploration – believe further finds could be made in the area near Inchnadamph in Assynt.