[Illustration]
"Cave Davaar, or the Picture Cave, as it is sometimes called, near
Campbelltown, Argyllshire, is noted as being the repository of a mural
painting of the Crucifixion of our Lord. When the painting was first
discovered its author and the manner of its creation were a mystery.
Shortly, the story of the picture and its romance is as follows: Upon
a smooth mural surface of the rock which forms the inner wall of the
interior of the cave, and in a position adjusted to the light which
penetrates the cavern, visitors see a life-size representation of
Christ on the Cross, measuring seven feet from head to foot, the cross
itself being fifteen feet in height. It appears that Mr. McKinnon,
a native of Campbelltown, and now of Nantwich, was, it is believed,
originally a ship's carpenter by trade, with a strong artistic taste,
which was afterwards afforded proper training through the patronage
and assistance of the Argyll family. One night, about twelve years
ago, he had a dream. He saw, in his dream, on the inner wall of the
Cave Davaar a vivid picture of the Crucifixion, and so strikingly real
and soul-stirring was the vision that it continually haunted him in
his waking hours. He could not rest, and, as he himself said, 'I took
my brushes and materials and went to the cave. I found the smooth
surface I had seen in my dream, and set to work and painted. I stopped
in the cave for twenty-four hours until I had completed my task, and
when I had finished I had painted just the picture I had seen in my
dream.'"--Mr. S. J. Oakley, H.M.S. _Northampton_, Special Service.