Blurs

On the remote Scottish island of Eigg, there is a cave with a name that sounds more like a warning than a place. Known as Uamh Fhraing, or Massacre Cave, it is associated with one of the most chilling stories to emerge from the clan conflicts of the Scottish Highlands and Islands. According to long-standing tradition, hundreds of people from Eigg sought refuge inside the cave during an attack in the 16th century. Their hiding place was discovered, and a fire was allegedly lit at the entrance. Unable to escape the smoke, those sheltering inside were said to have died where they stood. The traditional death toll is extraordinary: around 395 people. For generations, the story survived largely through historical accounts and local tradition. Then archaeologists began finding something that made the legend considerably more difficult to dismiss. Human bones were actually inside the cave. But there is a problem. The bones do not provide a simple answer. The Island of Eigg Eigg lies in the In...