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Pictures from Doug and Pat Ross on their trip to Scotland 2007
Smoo Cave


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.


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