Smoo Cave is a
large combined sea cave and freshwater cave in Durness in Sutherland, Highland,
Scotland. The cave was formed within Early Ordovician Dolostones of the Durness
Limestone Group. Smoo Cave boundary formed between the light grey Sangomore
Formation and dark grey, leopard Rock formation. The cave is unique that the
first chamber has been formed by the action of the sea, whereas the inner
chambers are freshwater passages, formed from rainwater dissolving the
carbonate dolostones. The peaty waters of the Allt Smoo flow off the moors,
tranquil until they vanish into the darkness of a gaping sinkhole. The Smoo cave
estimated receives 40,000 visitors annually.
The Smoo cave has formed a combination of erosion from the sea and an inland underground stream
which has formed the innermost chambers. There are many superstitions associated
with Smoo Cave, and for many centuries it was believed to be the residence of
the Devil. This made it a convenient place for the local laird's henchman to
dump the bodies of anyone who fell afoul of what passed for local justice at
the time.
It
is a dramatic location set into limestone cliffs, quite large 200 feet long,
130 feet wide, and 50 feet high at the entrance. Eroded pillars of rock which
once supported these long-vanished earlier versions of Smoo Cave still remain.
Moreover, the first chamber of the cave is more than 60m long and 40m wide. A wooden walkway leads from here into the second (scream provoking) chamber.
The cave boasts one
of the largest entrances to any sea cave in Britain at 50 ft high and is
floodlit inside. Smoo is a sea cave, but some part is karst formed inside
limestones and dolomites. The karst features of Smoo cave are typical with impermeable
and insoluble rocks surrounding it. Waters flowing on impermeable rock
disappear in swallow holes as soon as they reach the border to the limestone.
Then drain underground and reappear in karst springs and caves. Hence, a river
is to be found inside, water from a burn which disappeared only a few meters
away.
Legend has believed
that the cave is a gateway to the Otherworld – or into the faery realm – and
that it's guarded by spirits. Smoo Cave has seen a lot of activity over the
course of human history, much of it is unpleasant. If you are daring enough then the
ideal way to experience Smoo Cave would probably be alone at night, by the
light of an oil lamp or flaming torch, and with an overactive imagination! CP
No comments:
Post a Comment