Smoo Cave, Jetty nearby?

[Robbie Diesel]

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]

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]

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]

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

[Robbie Diesel]

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]

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

[Brian]

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

My mistake. Apologies!

[pvm]

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]

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]

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