In a shallow cave immediately to the E of the main Smoo cave there were cut features and Neolithic pottery and occupation deposits discovered in 1995 (Pollard, forthcoming). These deposits were only partially excavated before being covered in black plastic, weighed down with backfill. The edges of this plastic sheeting can now be seen and are only held down by a thin covering of soil. The soil is clearly eroding away from the plastic covers due water dripping from above and it is only a matter of time before unexcavated deposits become exposed.
Location
241910.00
967220.00
27700
58.5641861
-4.7195110
Submitted photographs
Image
Date
Caption
User
29/08/2014
General view looking east to show location of Wet Weather Cave in cliff in background
training1
29/08/2014
Closer view showing edges of plastic sheeting
training1
29/08/2014
View of Wet Weather Cave
training1
Submitted updates
Update id
Date
User
1742
29/08/2014
training1
Tidal state
Mid
Site located?
Yes
Coastally eroding?
not eroding
Visibility above ground
Limited visibility (partial remains)
Access
accessible - difficult terrain
Local knowledge
is well known; is well visited; has local associations/history
Description
In a shallow cave immediately to the E of the main Smoo cave there were cut features and Neolithic pottery and occupation deposits discovered in 1995 (Pollard, forthcoming). These deposits were only partially excavated before being covered in black plastic, weighed down with backfill. The edges of this plastic sheeting can now be seen and are only held down by a thin covering of soil. The soil is clearly eroding away from the plastic covers due water dripping from above and it is only a matter of time before un-excavated deposits become exposed.
29/08/2014
Edges of black plastic just visible but have not become more exposed since the original survey of 1998. Very minor visitor erosion via steep path to the cave. Site stable. Any potential issues are related to managing visitors, not related to coastal processes. Currently, visitor pressure not causing damage.
