Bitchlicking Hole

The cave entrance sits tucked into the hillside near Appin, a modest opening that doesn't announce itself with much fanfare. Bitchlicking Hole is a modest affair - a short cave that takes maybe fifteen minutes to explore properly, though the approach walk through the Argyll landscape is the real draw. Inside, you'll find basic rock formations and the sort of damp, echoing silence caves do so well. It's free to visit and requires no special equipment, just a torch and sensible footwear since the floor can be slick.

This works best for families with kids old enough not to be spooked by enclosed spaces, or walkers who want to tick a minor geological feature off their list. Serious cavers will find it underwhelming - there's no real challenge here, no scrambling, no adventure. That said, it's a proper little detour if you're already rambling through the area around Appin. The Argyll landscape itself is worth the trip, all lochs and low hills.

If you're based at Creagan Station Tourers or Oban Camping and Caravanning Club Site, you're well positioned to visit. Both are within five miles. Allow an hour for the whole outing including the walk in and out. Go in daylight - you'll need to see where you're stepping, and the cave gains nothing from drama or mystery. It's straightforward geology, nothing more, but on a decent day it makes a fine excuse to get out into the Argyll hills.