Smoo Cave, Sea cave in Durness, Scotland
Smoo Cave is a sea cave in Durness, Highland, Scotland, shaped by waves and a stream running through it. The entrance chamber opens directly to the water, while a waterfall inside leads to deeper passages with limestone deposits.
Excavations in 1995 brought up objects from the Neolithic, Iron Age, and Viking periods. Among the finds were fish remains, shells, and boat nails, pointing to several phases of occupation.
The name comes from an Old Norse word meaning narrow opening, as Vikings once sailed this coast. Inside, visitors walk through spaces where sea salt mixes with fresh water from underground streams.
Tours reach the entrance chamber by stairs and wooden walkways that wind down from the clifftop. In summer, boat trips take visitors to the rear sections where the waterfall appears.
The cave formed through two separate processes: sea waves carved the large entrance, while a freshwater stream hollowed out the inner passages. Both forces met and connected the chambers into a continuous system.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
