Weather Conditions
Smoo Cave is an active cave being fed by the Allt Smoo stream and tours are therefore at the mercy of the area's weather conditions that affect water levels in the burn. Too much water in the cave results in water levels being too high for the boat to pass under obstacles and a heavy waterfall results in unsafe conditions within the waterfall / lake chamber which the tour must cross.
Rain: The catchment area for the Allt Smoo and it's tributaries covers a large area which is marked on the left map below by dashed lines (Smoo Cave marked by arrow). Much of this area is mountainous and underlain by impermeable rocks which easily sheds rainfall. As a result, the vast majority of rainfall within this area will eventually flow into Smoo Cave.
Wind: The Allt Smoo is fed by Loch Meadaidh which is located 2km south west of Smoo Cave. A strong south westerly wind can generate large waves along its 1.3km length which can transport significant volumes of extra water over its dam and into the Allt Smoo. During these conditions the cave can flood (even on what may seem a dry, sunny day).
Rain: The catchment area for the Allt Smoo and it's tributaries covers a large area which is marked on the left map below by dashed lines (Smoo Cave marked by arrow). Much of this area is mountainous and underlain by impermeable rocks which easily sheds rainfall. As a result, the vast majority of rainfall within this area will eventually flow into Smoo Cave.
Wind: The Allt Smoo is fed by Loch Meadaidh which is located 2km south west of Smoo Cave. A strong south westerly wind can generate large waves along its 1.3km length which can transport significant volumes of extra water over its dam and into the Allt Smoo. During these conditions the cave can flood (even on what may seem a dry, sunny day).
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Blue squares mark one square kilometre.
Reproduced from the 2014 Ordnance Survey map.
Reproduced from the 2014 Ordnance Survey map.