Hairy Bob’s Cave
Scarborough, Yorkshire
“While the precise details may never be known, one thing is sure: the story of the cave is as much a part of Scarborough’s charm as its golden sands and sweeping views” - Shayle Follows
I can’t come across a folklore story titled ‘Hairy Bob’s Cave’ and not investigate it further, the double entendre possibilities alone are enough to entice me. I will refrain from smutty jokes, and instead regale the tale of Hairy Bob of Scarborough and his charming little cave.
A boulder, near Scarborough's Royal Albert Drive, sits askew with a supposed carved out door and two windows. Very whimsical, could be the home to fairies, or goblins, or me when living amongst people gets too much. Offering a view over North Bay, it seems like the perfect spot to hunker down. But who decided to hunker down here? Who carved this rock? Was it to live in, or just to hide in? Many theories have sprung from the existence of this boulder.
Some have suggested that this cave dates back to ancient times, offering a shelter for a human or two. This has been disputed, as many believe that the intricacies of the door and window carvings could only have been made by tools more advanced than those in the neolithic periods. And you must admit, some serious craftmanship has gone into those carvings!
Over the years stories have changed, some claim a hermit occupied this space, some think a school boy was responsible for the carvings and others have said the cave was made by one of the vergers from St Mary’s Parish Church. But one of the most recognised stories is Hairy Bob.
Historical records confirm that the family name ‘Bobb’ did exist in Scarborough and one of its members was indeed referred to as ‘Hairy Bob’. According to local tales, Hairy Bob was a rather unkempt door-to-door salesman peddling Yellowstone, a sandstone taken from the cliffs near Scarborough Castle, commonly used for cleaning doorsteps. Due to his occupation, many believe that Hairy Bob could have carved out this cave (he would be handy with a chisel) to protect himself from the elements whilst gathering Yellowstone.
Most people believe the cave served a practical purpose during the construction of Royal Albert Drive, offering a place to wait out the turbulence of the North Sea. With the completion of the road in 1890, the workers would have packed up and left the carved out boulder as it is.
But that’s super boring and very unwhimsical. I choose to believe that Hairy Bob enjoyed a cup of tea or two inside his little makeshift holiday home.
