At a glance
Our experience
Smoo Cave, Durness
There are some places that you look forward to visiting for months, building them up in your head before you finally get there. Smoo Cave was definitely one of those places for me.
I probably arrived at a particularly wet time of year, and after waiting a short time I made my way down the steps towards the cave. I'd been looking forward to seeing it for months, and arriving early meant there were very few people around at the time.
Walking Down to Smoo Cave
The walk down towards the cave was an experience in itself. One of my favourite moments was crossing the bridge that leads towards the pathway into the cave.
Standing in the middle of the bridge, I could see Smoo Cave directly in front of me while watching the water travelling underneath the bridge and continuing out towards the sea behind me. It was an incredible setting and one of those moments where I stopped for a while just to take everything in.
Entering the Cave
As I started to enter the cave, I could already hear the waterfall. I'll admit I was a little nervous walking inside because I'd never been in a cave before.
Once inside, I had a look around and crossed over the two small bridges towards the walkway that leads further into the cave and towards the waterfall. Of course, I was filming as I went.
The Waterfall
As I got further along the walkway tunnel, I realised just how powerful the waterfall was that day.
The entire walkway was soaked, the sound of the waterfall was incredibly loud and the closer I got, the more drenched I became. I was trying to film with my phone in my hand while getting absolutely soaked in the process.
I couldn't stay for very long and ended up having a relatively quick look at the waterfall, but even with the short visit, it was genuinely incredible.
When Is the Best Time to Visit?
After experiencing the waterfall when it was flowing so powerfully, I couldn't help wondering whether there might be a perfect time to visit Smoo Cave.
I'd imagine there is a balance between having enough rain for the waterfall to be flowing well, while avoiding a period of particularly heavy rainfall when the water becomes so powerful that the walkway is completely soaked.
For me, the waterfall was spectacular that day, but if you're hoping to spend longer inside the cave, slightly drier conditions might make for a more comfortable experience.
What I Liked Most
What I liked most about Smoo Cave was how different the whole experience felt. From seeing the cave from the bridge, to hearing the waterfall before I could even properly see it, to walking further inside and suddenly being surrounded by the sound and spray of the water, it felt like a real adventure.
It was also one of those experiences where the weather became part of the attraction. The wet conditions had made the waterfall incredibly powerful, and although it meant I got absolutely soaked, it also made the experience much more dramatic.
Would I Visit Again?
Absolutely.
Wildly Wandering rating: 5/5 ⭐
Smoo Cave was one of the most memorable stops of my NC500 trip. It was slightly nerve-racking entering a cave for the first time, and I definitely wasn't prepared for just how wet I'd get, but the experience was completely worth it.
Wildly Wandering tip: If you're visiting after a particularly wet period, expect the waterfall to be powerful and the walkway to be very wet. Waterproof clothing and protecting your phone or camera would definitely be a good idea.
And after getting absolutely soaked inside the cave, I was more than ready for the famous hot chocolate at Cocoa Mountain afterwards to warm back up!
