The Coastguard had requested the assistance of the Arbroath RNLI lifeboat shortly after 4 p.m. on Tuesday as members of the public had called 999 after they thought they heard cries for help coming from caves.

The lifeboat was searching the caves and cliff face when they came across a rope ladder bolted to the cliff face.

A volunteer member of the lifeboat crew investigated further to ensure no one was in trouble inside the cave only to discover a wooden wall and locked door with porthole window inside a cave at the top of the ladder.

A floor, painted walls, tea tree lights, seating and several beer cans were contained within the 'house' which was approximately halfway up the 120-foot high cliffs.

No one was home when the crew called and the Coastguard is investigating the matter further.

Allan Russell, mechanic for the Arbroath RNLI lifeboat, 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, tea tree 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."

Ross Greenhill from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said there could be several reasons for its existence.

"Somebody could be using it as a fishing den - we do get quite a lot of night fishing so it's possible that someone's decided to make it a bit more comfy," he said.

"It could be youngsters using it as a bit of a hidey, or potentially something a bit more sinister but we'd rather hope not.

"It's certainly not easy to find, it's difficult to see, so if someone was wanting a bit of privacy it's the ideal location."

And Mr Greenhill urged people not to go looking for the cave as they would be risking their safety.