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A waterfall pouring into the dark pool of Smoo Cave's inner chamber.
Sutherland

Smoo Cave

A huge cave at the head of a narrow sea inlet on the edge of Durness, its first chamber carved by the sea and its inner ones by a river falling through the roof.

Welcome

On the eastern edge of Durness, a narrow, steep-sided inlet cuts a third of a mile into the limestone cliffs, and at its head yawns the great mouth of Smoo Cave.

The name may come from the Old Norse for a hiding place, and the Vikings did use it: traces of a fishing and boatbuilding community have been found here.

Steps lead down the side of the cleft from the car park, and a footbridge crosses the river to the entrance. The first chamber is huge, some 200 feet long and 50 feet high at the mouth, and it was carved by the sea. What makes Smoo unusual is what lies beyond: the Allt Smoo drops into a sinkhole on the far side of the road and pours through the roof into an inner chamber in a roaring waterfall, and it is this river that hollowed out the cave's inner rooms.

The cave can also be explored by boat, for a closer look at the inner chambers.

Close bySmoo CaveSet into the limestone cliffs about a mile east of Durness you will find this spectacular sea cave.1 min by roadSee itWooden viewing platform inside a large cave with rocky floor and green-lit walls
Before you go

The cave mouth and first chamber can be reached at any time, free, down steps from the car park on the A838.

The cave can also be explored by boat.

Where
The eastern edge of Durness, on the A838.
First chamber
About 200 feet long and 50 feet high.
Where it is

On the A838 at the eastern edge of Durness, down steps from the car park above the cliffs.

Close byDurness.
  1. DurnessDurness1 mile3 min by road
  2. Tumbled stone walls of Ceannabeinne township on a green slope in evening light, the sea beyond.Ceannabeinne Village Ruins2 miles2 min by road
  3. Ceannabeinne BeachCeannabeinne BeachA white-sand cove further east.2 miles3 min by road
  4. Balnakeil BeachBalnakeil BeachWhite sand and dunes on the far side of Durness.2 miles5 min by road
  5. River DionardRiver DionardA salmon river under Foinaven.10 miles20 min by road
Directions
Wooden viewing platform inside a large cave with rocky floor and green-lit wallsAttractionsSmoo Cave0.4 miles
Stone building with arched windows bearing the sign Cocoa Mountain, blue picnic bench outsideCafeCocoa Mountain Balnakeil1.7 miles
A white church-like building sits at the foot of a rocky, grass-covered hillside, sheep grazing on the slope above.DurnessCeannabeinne CottageSleeps 4 · 1.8 miles
Wooden gallery building with potted plants and a hill behindShoppingBalnakeil Craft Village1.8 miles
Balnakeil Church's roofless walls above a kirkyard of old stones, the bay beyond.AttractionsBalnakeil Church2.2 miles
Pink boulder overlooking moorland lochs and coastline from a Scottish hillsideAttractionsKyle of Durness3.0 miles
Aerial view of a tidal island linked to the shore by twin sandy causewaysAttractionsLoch Eriboll4.7 miles over the water
Grassy tidal island linked by a narrow causeway under grey mistAttractionsArd Neakie Lime Kilns5.0 miles over the water
A stone cottage with two chimneys sits above a loch, a mountain rising behind and a dry stone wall enclosing the lawn.HopeKeeper's CottageSleeps 6 · 5.5 miles
Stay nearby

Places to stay near the cave, and when each is next free.

A white church-like building sits at the foot of a rocky, grass-covered hillside, sheep grazing on the slope above.Ceannabeinne Cottage
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Durness
  • 2 miles from Smoo Cave
Free 3–5 NovA curved timber house glows with lit windows at dusk, set low into a grassy hillside.Hill Cottage
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Sutherland
  • 4 miles from Smoo Cave
Check datesA curved timber-roofed house catches the evening light beside a sea loch, gorse and heather covering the foreground.Shore Cottage
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Sutherland
  • 4 miles from Smoo Cave
Check datesA stone cottage with two chimneys sits above a loch, a mountain rising behind and a dry stone wall enclosing the lawn.Keeper's Cottage
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Hope
  • 6 miles from Smoo Cave
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in SutherlandAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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