MYSTERY surrounds the purpose of a cave “house” which has been found in the face of an Angus cliff.
The cave, which is well hidden with a wooden wall and door across its entrance, was found by a group of adventure sports enthusiasts at Seaton cliffs near Arbroath on Tuesday.
Fearing someone might be inside and in difficulties, they called in the local coastguard who investigated with the local RNLI and the police.
On combing the coastline the crew of the inshore lifeboat Duncan Ferguson found a rope ladder bolted into the cliff face, leading to the entrance about 20ft up.
A volunteer member of the crew investigated further, only to encounter the wooden wall and locked door, which was fitted with a porthole window.
They found the cave empty but through the window saw the natural red sandstone base of the cave was covered with a wooden floor and there was even padded seating.
Arbroath RNLI mechanic Allan Russell said: “This is certainly the most unusual thing I have come across during my 10 years as a lifeboatman.
“There was a well-laid wooden floor, lights and parts of the walls have been painted.
“We are all wondering who has gone to such time and effort to build this. We have been asked not to reveal the location of the cliff house to prevent the curious from seeking it out and potentially putting themselves at risk.”
Coastguard sector manager Ross Greenhill said the cave’s regular users could also be putting themselves at risk.
“It’s a difficult place to get to and anyone accessing it would have to clamber across rough ground,” he said.
“It’s difficult to tell what it’s being used for. There are so many things, such as people out night fishing using it as a shelter or possibly it’s youngsters who are using it.
“We’re not actively looking to find out who it is although we would be interested to know. We are taking no further action.”