Smoo Cave, Jetty nearby?

Robbie Diesel · 21 February 2010, 15:11

Hello all,

A few of us on The isle of Lewis are planning a summer rib cruise across to Smoo Cave near Durness. I've attached some pictures showing the location and the cave itself. My question is does anybody know if there is a Jetty, or Harbour anywhere nearby that we could leave the boats and walk or taxi to the cave? Or is it possible to anchor in the bay in front of the cave (in favourable conditions) and row ashore?

Many thanks

Robbie

Brian · 21 February 2010, 16:07

As far as I know......... the only harbour nearby is at Kinlochbervie.
There appears to be no other landing place than Durness itself.
From there, there is a bus service that links across the sound to the cave.

Beware firing on the NATO range at An Garbh-Eilean.

Brian · 21 February 2010, 16:44

Robbie,

A combination of Google Earth and my Navionics chip, shows a small jetty there with a track or road leading down to it.
If this jetty is useable............?

Knot Yet · 21 February 2010, 17:31

Wow - looks like a stunning place - hope the visit goes well - very envious

Robbie Diesel · 21 February 2010, 19:19

Hi Brian,

Thanks for your help. Is this the jetty you saw? Its the only one i can see in the area, Its called Rispond, although i cant seem to find any half decent images of the pier itself. Its about 2 miles east of smoo cave which i guess is do-able. Other problem is it says it is a private jetty owned by Rispond Estate. Perhaps if i give them a ring, and see if they mind visitors!

Cheers Knot yet, indeed it looks the biz! Will post pics, if we manage over

Brian · 21 February 2010, 20:52

No. I mean the one at:
58 degrees 36 min 54.49 N
4 degrees 58 min 39.15W

Brian · 21 February 2010, 20:58

Whoops!
Sorry Robbie. I was thinking Smoo Cave was much nearer Cape Wrath than it actually is.

My mistake. Apologies!

pvm · 02 March 2010, 10:31

We just anchored in the bay and swam ashore (in drysuits). It was easy, and rowing ashore would be a doddle. You could probably ram ashore to let off most of your crew first.

It is a nice impressive big cave, but unlike most coastal caves I go in, there were "tourists" as well.

philip

Robbie Diesel · 02 March 2010, 16:18

Philip, thanks for your reply. Its always good to hear from somebody who has actually been. Was there plenty depth to anchor in the bay? I think we'll take a Dinghy to get ashore. don't fancy the thought of swimming!

Cheers
Robbie

pvm · 02 March 2010, 18:20

Yes, depth was fine.

The inlet is not very wide so anchoring with a normal length of rope wont work (unless you are happy to bounce off the rocks).

We were there on a calm day so a short anchor rope was fine. In a lumpy sea, it would be a bit harder....two anchors or a rope to shore etc.

Again, if there were 5 boats you would struggle I think cos it is not that wide (it was about 8 years ago).

philip

Robbie Diesel · 02 March 2010, 18:46

Great, an anchor fore & aft sounds ideal. Any pics of your trip philip?
P.S. we would only go on a flat calm day. Don't fancy Cape Wrath in a F7.!

BruceB · 02 March 2010, 21:43

We have been a few years ago up but we drove over to Smoo cave from Loch Eriboll.
There is a landing place at a B&B about 1/3 way down the west side of the loch and a slip over the hill east of Durness where the ferry to Cape Wrath leaves. There is also a nice beach on the east of town where it should be easy to anchor.
Although we drove past going to Cape Wrath we didn't stop so no info on the cave itself.
It can get quite exciting around the lighthouse and you need to make sure there are no shoots on the day but its a nice place to go. You can also land at a slip just east of the lighthouse and go up if you feel energetic, pic of it below along with one from Duslic rock just off the lighthouse.

pvm · 03 March 2010, 21:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robbie Diesel

Great, an anchor fore & aft sounds ideal. Any pics of your trip philip?
P.S. we would only go on a flat calm day. Don't fancy Cape Wrath in a F7.!

Sorry, cant find any piccys from that trip. It was about 8 yrs ago.

Stayed in the kinlochbervie hotel. interesting fish market auction house there for the freshly landed fish.

you do live in paradise, wilderness, scenery, st kilda etc. not like that in Yorkshire!

philip

Robbie Diesel · 05 March 2010, 19:40

Philip, Paradise...yes, but as always theres a catch....awfull weather.!

Bruce B, thanks for posting your pics. That slip near Cape Wrath looks like a fair old walk up to the lighthouse!

Anchoring at smoo looks like the best option perhaps. Just have to watch we anchor a fair bit out to avoid drying out with the tide. (see pics)