Condition

6
Midden
Mesolithic, Iron Age
4953
MHG11597
Highland

Description

Located at the E side of the mouth of the cave, at the E bank of Allt Smoo as it flows to the sea, is a midden (Pollard, 1992). This has been shored with wood panels held in place by wooden stakes along 12 m of its W edge. This shoring is beginning to rot and the top panel has slumped back on to the midden. There is a 5 m section of shell-rich midden at the S end of this stretch which seems to have been shored, but that shoring has now disappeared leaving only the ground panel in place. This has resulted in the midden becoming eroded in this area and it is slumping over the remnant of the shoring, as well as being washed away by the stream. At the N of the shoring, the midden appears to continue for some 3 m beyond the limit of that protection. The shoring is generally in very poor condition and can be pulled away from the midden as most of the stakes are loose. The surface of the midden itself is being very badly trampled by the pressure of visitors to this site. Water dripping from above has created sodden areas that are then being badly cut up by footprints. One wooden stake has been used to shore up the natural rock pillar at the E of Allt Smoo and this is clearly an inadequate response if that pillar is deemed unsafe. The debris from the shoring operation has been dumped on the midden at the E edge of the cave and left there. The shoring at this site clearly needs to be re-thought as well as re-done. The very damp atmosphere of the cave has led to the rotting of the wood panels currently in use and to replace them with the same does not seem the appropriate response. The W edge of the midden needs to be archaeologically examined to quantify how much damage has been done before and during the replacement of the rotted wood. Visitors should also be encouraged to walk along the stream bed as opposed to trampling the top of the midden. A simple noticeboard notifying people of the presence of such an ecofactually rich deposit may suffice.

Location

241880.00
967140.00
27700
58.5634575
-4.7199702

Submitted photographs

Image Date Caption User
General view of access to Cave and stone revetment 30/08/2014 General view of access to Cave and stone revetment training1
General view of access to Cave and stone revetment
General view of Smoo Cave, looking south 30/08/2014 General view of Smoo Cave, looking south training1
General view of Smoo Cave, looking south
Pillar and back of midden taken from inside the cave facing outwards (North) 30/08/2014 Pillar and back of midden taken from inside the cave facing outwards (North) Jenvalentine
Pillar and back of midden taken from inside the cave facing outwards (North)
Shoring wall & midden taken from the stream including rock pillar 30/08/2014 Shoring wall & midden taken from the stream including rock pillar Jenvalentine
Shoring wall & midden taken from the stream including rock pillar
Surface of midden on slope adjacent to path 30/08/2014 Surface of midden on slope adjacent to path Jenvalentine
Surface of midden on slope adjacent to path

Submitted updates

Update id Date User
1738 30/08/2014 Jenvalentine
Tidal state Low
Site located? Yes
Proximity to coast edge Intertidal
Coastally eroding? has eroded in the past
Coastal defence Yes
Threats visitor erosion
Visibility above ground Highly visible (substantial remains)
Visibility in section Not visible
Access easily accessible - no restrictions; accessible on foot (footpath)
Local knowledge is well known; is well visited; has local associations/history
Description Located at the E side of the mouth of the cave, at the E bank of Allt Smoo as it flows to the sea, is a midden (Pollard, 1992). This has been shored with wood panels held in place by wooden stakes along 12 m of its W edge. This shoring is beginning to rot and the top panel has slumped back on to the midden. There is a 5 m section of shell-rich midden at the S end of this stretch which seems to have been shored, but that shoring has now disappeared leaving only the ground panel in place. This has resulted in the midden becoming eroded in this area and it is slumping over the remnant of the shoring, as well as being washed away by the stream. At the N of the shoring, the midden appears to continue for some 3 m beyond the limit of that protection. The shoring is generally in very poor condition and can be pulled away from the midden as most of the stakes are loose. The surface of the midden itself is being very badly trampled by the pressure of visitors to this site. Water dripping from above has created sodden areas that are then being badly cut up by footprints. One wooden stake has been used to shore up the natural rock pillar at the E of Allt Smoo and this is clearly an inadequate response if that pillar is deemed unsafe. The debris from the shoring operation has been dumped on the midden at the E edge of the cave and left there. The shoring at this site clearly needs to be re-thought as well as re-done. The very damp atmosphere of the cave has led to the rotting of the wood panels currently in use and to replace them with the same does not seem the appropriate response. The W edge of the midden needs to be archaeologically examined to quantify how much damage has been done before and during the replacement of the rotted wood. Visitors should also be encouraged to walk along the stream bed as opposed to trampling the top of the midden. A simple noticeboard notifying people of the presence of such an ecofactually rich deposit may suffice. 30/08/2014 considerable change in shoring of midden since last recorded survey. No trace of wooden shoring on site. Line of wood shoring replaced with stone wall along the line of the stream. Area of consolidated ground traces the route of the stone wall making a pathway about a metre wide for visitors to access the inner cave. The midden then forms a mound back to the cave wall. Sections of the surface of the slope of the midden clearly shows shell material.
The concerns/risks highlighted in the initial survey appear to have been mitigated through the management of the site and building of the shoring wall. The midden is still exposed and subject to visitors walking over same. This site may be suitable for downgrading of risk. Remove from priorities
Comments The local ranger informed us that circa 40,000 people visit Smoo Cave annually.

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