Located one mile East
of Durness, Sutherland, Smoo Cave's first chamber is 200 feet (61 m)
long by 130 feet (40 m) wide by 50 feet (15.24 m) high. "Smoo" is
derived from the Norse word "Sumvya", meaning "creek" or "cleft". This
opening in the limestone cliffs is the largest in Britain, and has
been caused as much by the river flowing from it as by the tidal
action of the ocean along the Geodha Smoo.
The second chamber
contains a waterfall, and a third chamber is accessible only by a
small boat.
The Naver River has a
nearby outlet. Some 20 miles (30 km) south in Strathnaver, is the
location of some of the worst atrocities during the Highland
Clearances of the early 19th century. Some of the inhabitants were
forced to move the lumber of their homes, cattle and other
belongings to the northern coast of Sutherland near Bettyhill. Our
tour director pointed out that local sheep farmers were spreading
turnips on the fields for the animals.(After the clearances, the
Countess of Sutherland observed that her husband had become
interested in growing turnips.) Many of the persons, who had been
dislodged from their homes during the "improvements" to live in this
area, earned a meagre livelihood by harvesting kelp. Others,
escaping to the south, didn't fair any better.
