Other locations that have been collected here on Natpacker.com. Using 3-D imaging technology, archaeologists have mapped Scotland's "Cave … Archaeologist Tony Pollard, who led the excavation in the early 1990s and is now Director of the Centre for Battlefield Archaeology at Glasgow University, earlier said the cave may have been used as a temporary stop over by Norse mariners on their voyages from Scandinavia and the Northern Isles to the Western Isles, Ireland and the Isle of Man. Be aware that buses only tend to run during the summer months. Great stop off a Smoo Cave. You always have the most off-beat and interesting posts. You can read about my visit to Smoo Cave in this post. Smoo cave is part of the Durness Group, and so was formed in the Early Ordovician dolomites. Hope you make it to Smoo Cave one day . Any dead bodies are disposed of in the local dunes where archaeologists accept bungs to write them up as Pictish or Viking burial sites. Old stories state that the gateway to the faerie world is found inside this cave, guarded by spirits. Since then I have been determined to see as much of this world as possible. Smoo Cave: Smoo Cave visit - See 1,096 traveller reviews, 1,009 candid photos, and great deals for Durness, UK, at Tripadvisor. Some articles contain sponsored content; where I have accepted such content, received an item free of charge to review or been hosted on a trip, this has been stated in the article. Smoo Cave has to be included in any stay in north west Scotland. Dating potentially as far back as the Mesolithic period legends include that it was used by the devil for his mischief making, utilised as a death trap by highwayman Donald McMurdo and, naturally, a base for smuggling operations. The name Smoo Cave is likely to have come from the Norse ‘smjugg’ or ‘smuga’ meaning a hole or hiding-place. It consists of a main cave (33m wide and 48m deep) and a series of smaller, subsidiary, caves. Another tale tells of a Donald MacKay in the 1700s (though I am unsure if it is the same MacKay who sent his dog to look for the Devil in Smoo Cave). Three chambers of the caves can be explored, which go back 83 metres. Evidence of Norse activity also emerged during the 1990s when a team of Glasgow University archaeologists headed to Smoo Cave, which has three separate offshoots - Glassknapper’s Cave, Antler Cave and Wetweather cave. The inner cave, home to a thunderous waterfall, is by local repute the gateway to hell. Smoo Cave, at Durness in Sutherland, is the largest coastline cave in the British Isles and has provided shelter for thousands of years. The cave was formed within Early Ordovician Dolostones of the Durness Limestone Group. MacKay was supposedly a strong swimmer and so rowed the boat close to the waterfall in the cave, purposefully causing the boat to capsize. As the Devil tried to follow the dog to cause some mischief the sun rose, leaving the Devil powerless. Guided geological tours of Smoo Cave, part of which are undertaken by boat, are run over the summer months. The residents of nearby Durness lured a clan of 18 marauders into the cave and slaughtered them to a man. Visited Smoo cave, while driving the northern most section of the North Coast 500. All that means is that if you go via these links and then buy something, I receive a tiny commission at no extra cost to you. The stream plunges 25m, hitting rocks as it … It costs you no extra and just helps to keep me blogging. Natpacker is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Programme, AWIN and other affiliate sites. BBC Scotland. Wildlife, poisonous trees, ruins and Mayan culture in the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve. We spent about an hour, at the cave. Required fields are marked *. The second chamber is much smaller than the main chamber, but still very impressive. Smoo cave has one of the largest entrances to a sea cave in Britain. It’s definitely worth a visit. A Square-headed rivet and iron slag “strongly suggested” that boats were hauled up to the beach to repair. Smoo Cave is on the A838, as well as being on the North Coast 500 route. With beautiful scenery and lots of legends, Smoo Cave is a captivating place to visit. As the dog came back terrified it is certain that the devil can be found in the cave. I’m Nat, the backpacker behind the travel blog. Hi! It is thought they dated from Mesolithic Period, or the Stone Age, when the earliest human inhabitants arrived in the Highlands between 8,000BC and 4,000BC. Don’t forget to follow me on social media to keep up to date with my recent posts, adventures and thoughts. As Smoo Cave is out in the highlands, it is not the easiest place to get to. There are wooden platforms that lead you into the second cavern. While Smoo Cave is ripe for myth and superstition - some believe it to be a gateway to the nether world - detailed archaeological studies have been carried out to increase understanding of who may have lived here. Reasons To Visit Mexico – And Get Out Of The Resort, Things To Do In England – Must Have Experiences, How To Cope With Your Periods When Travelling, Mexico Travel Tips – What You Should Know, Best Places To Visit In Mexico That You’ve Never Heard Of. There is also a circular walking path from here. From the car park, there are some wooden steps that lead down to the main cavern. The first two chambers can be explored by foot. One of the bodies was never found and it is said that the ghost of this man appears in the foam below the waterfall. In the early 1700s, the Smoo Cave was the setting for a murderous trap. This mysterious sea cave was carved by the sea Related Videos. Strange tales from 6 sacred stone sites of Scotland, Glasgow to create new £11.9m film and TV studio at historic Kelvin Hall. Scotland is the best! The cave is a scheduled Scottish monument and consent had to given by Historic Scotland. Be aware - these are affiliate links. Yesterday. The upper layers of the midden, which was packed with shells, dated to the Iron Age, around 3,000 years ago. The tale goes that two government agents were seeking out illegal whisky stills. Smoo Cave is unusual in having been formed by the action of both fresh water and the sea. Discover the history of the most iconic bridge in Venice. The limestone cliffs give way to three caverns that can be explored. I love Scotland so much! There’s so much to see in Scotland! Unfortunately, there was no guide available on that day, which would have added insight into the history of the cave. It is believed to have been a Stone Age home more than 5,000 years ago with Norse settlers later gathering here to repair boats and fish for herring. The largest of its kind in Britain, Smoo Cave is one of Sutherland’s most impressive natural head scratchers. The entrance is 50ft high and 130ft wide, making a gaping hole in the limestone cliffs. “On this particular occasion on which Donald Mackay was employed by them, the Smoo Burn was in high flood, and on pushing off from the anchorage inside the second chamber of the cave, Mackay observed that the two gaugcrs were literally terrified, as he rowed them into the spray of the waterfall inside it.”. I’m Nat, the backpacker behind natpacker. 1:58. ©JPIMedia Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved. This forms an impressive blowhole during storms. All Rights Reserved. Sir Walter Scott agreed with this, describing the third chamber as exceedingly strange and a perfect place for dark beings from the netherworld to reside. Above the cave, on the cliffs, there is also a blowhole. I really need to plan some more trips to Scotland. The name Smoo is believed to have come from the Norse “smjugg” or “smuga”, which means “hiding place”. There is also a path that leads you over the cliffs next to Smoo Cave, from here the sea views are incredible, so it’s well worth heading out here too. Unfortunately, there was no guide available on that day, which would have added insight into the history of the cave. If you want to stay nearby, you can stay in Durness, or there are options closer. One story tells that a local man, Donald MacKay, sent his dog into the chamber. He was able to swim to safety but the two officers drowned. With lost of history and pretty sea views, Smoo Cave (click here for reviews) is well worth a visit. One such tale tells of the highwayman McMurdo, who threw his victims down the blowhole. Smoo Cave in the far northern Highlands is arguably one of – if not the – most impressive natural wonders in Scotland. If you like my blog and want to help to support my work, please go via these links if you are using the companies for your travels. In the early 1700s, the Smoo Cave was the setting for a murderous trap. Great post. With a moody, restless dusk falling, I descend into the jagged, fern-bearded mouth of Smoo Cave, a Tolkienesque venue by name and nature: you expect to be asked a riddle to gain entrance, or stumble across a mossy pile of treasure in the gloom. I love all the different legends and stories. The rain had been heavy so the water was rushing through the cave as we entered. x. High pressure and temperature conditions at depth then recrystallise the rock which results in the formation of bands to create (Lewisian) gneiss. Your email address will not be published. On noting his lamp on the dew-covered stalactites, Scott described it as the “effect of ten thousand birthday candles. Smoo has a deep sink hole and underground waterfalls, If you’re exploring the Scottish Highlands it is definitely not to be missed. Please assume that any link that you click is an affiliate link. Another claim is that two excise men seeking out illicit whisky distilling in the mid 1700s were drowned by a local man, Donald Mackay, who was bribed by the government agents to help in the search for an illicit still rumoured to be in the cave. While proving to be a safe harbour from the pounding North Sea, Smoo Cave has also inspired some rather romantic responses, such as an 1814 diary entry from Sir Walter Scott, who visited on September 19 that year. More deaths occurred later in the century, when two Inland Revenue officers were drowned in the second chamber’s thunderous waterfall. Smoo Cave is found about 1 mile east of the village Durness (which is the most northwestern village on the British mainland). MacKay was employed by the officials and was meant to helo them search. | Privacy Policy | HTML Sitemap | XML Sitemap, November 25th, 2020 (Published: August 27, 2020). If you plan on visiting Smoo Cave, you can find nearby hostels on HostelWorld. Occasionally they may also throw them down a waterfall at Smoo Cave to save them the walk. We spent about an hour, at the cave. Reviews given are unbiased and honest, all views are still my own I will only recommend products and companies that I truly believe in. I’m always hearing of new places once I get home too. Personally, I have not done this walk, but you can find details here. Aerial Photography | Scotland From The Sky. Smoo Cave: Smoo Cave - See 1,087 traveller reviews, 981 candid photos, and great deals for Durness, UK, at Tripadvisor. A number of marine shells, including oysters and limpets and animal bones, including deer, suggest the diet of the day. More deaths occurred later in the century, when two Inland Revenue officers were drowned in the second chamber’s thunderous waterfall. Lairg Tourism; Lairg Hotels; Lairg Bed and Breakfast; Lairg Vacation Packages; Flights to Lairg; Lairg Restaurants; Things to Do in Lairg; Lairg Travel Forum 2700 Ma - Molten bodies cool to form granite-like rocks within the lower levels of the Earth's crust. So glad you find my posts useful I always feel like i’ve learnt something new whenever I read one of of your articles. Smoo caves are unusual, as there is freshwater and saltwater in the caverns. The cave boasts one of the largest entrances to any sea cave … An affiliate link will use a cookie to track any sales on the website that you are directed to. We ascended the steps to the other side of the cave and took a walk along the top of the stunning cliffs. 1:07. 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