*cave (Geo of Sclaites 2)

A tall, subtidal vertical rift seacave at the end of the SE branch of the Geo (or Goe) of Schlaites.

Notes: Access: by sea eg E round Duncansby Head from harbour N of John o' Groats at ND 37982 73468. This would best be done at the end of the flood tide so that the return can be made during slack high tide, or at the very beginning of the ebb.

Dimensions are a guesstimate. The length estimate is 15 m to first division, 15 m to the second, and the three tunnels after that 20 + 30 + 20. If the tide does flow into and through this cave (high water springs), then the length to a possible outlet would be 230 m and thus a potential total length approaching 300 m.

Links and Resources:

25 in OS 1st Ed shows this as 'cave'.
The OS Namebook for the county of Caithness, parish of Canisbay has "Goe of Sclaites: A long CreeK of about 10 Chains, ending in [two] points, at the end of [one] there is a cavern, into which the tide [Continually] flows. Supposed to have Communication with [a] similar one on the [side] facing the ocean." [Continually] is a misconception as any visible inward flow would most likely be on a flooding tide an hour or so before high water springs. See entry for *cave (N of Gibb's Craig).
Photo 1 looking WSW along the Goe (geo) of Sclaites. The entrance to Geo of Sclaites 1 can be seen on the right. The entrance to the SW branch is evident high up, but hard to make out at sea level. 23 June 24 at 12:00 when the tide level was 2.8 m ACD.
Photo 2 shows 2 cave entrances on left (Geo of Sclaites 4) and right (Geo of Sclaites 1). These are not noted on OS. This cave is out of sight along the channel which is just to the right of the entrance on the left.
Photo 3 the top of the entrance to this cave is just visible on the right. The entrance left of centre is that of Geo of Sclaites 3. 23 June 24.
Photo 4 shows the entrance to this cave from the first position from which you can see it properly. 23 June 24.
Photo 5 from inside, looking at the first divide. The second divide is further on, on the right (NW). 23 June 24.
Photo 6 looking NNW out of the entrance, with the first divide behind. 23 June 24.
Photo 7 inside the beginning of tunnel on the left (E) of the first divide. 23 June 24.
Photo 8 looking at the E wall of the tunnel of photo 7, showing speleothems. This image can be zoomed. 23 June 24.
Photo 9 a rather blurred view of the second divide. 23 June 24.
Photo 10 looking along the tunnel on the left of the second divide. It is now the middle tunnel. 23 June 24.
Photo 11 looking into the tunnel on the right (WNW) of the second divide, whose pillar is partly visible on the left. 23 June 24.
Photo 12 shows the cliff to the south of Goe (geo) of Sclaites. On the extreme left is a possible exit/entrance from one of the tunnels of this cave - if the Namebook is correct in asserting that there is a through flow.
GCR Series No 28 Coastal Geomorphology of Gt Britain 3: Hard Rock Cliffs by J D Hansom, p87.
CoSBib, p. 66.

This entry was last updated: 2024-07-04 14:02:54

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NGR:	ND 40482 72957
WGS84:	58.64039, -3.02700
Length:	100 m
Vert. Range:	25 m
Altitude:	-5 m
Geology:	Mey Flagstone Formation - sandstone, siltstone, mudstone
Tags:	Cave, SeaCave
Registry:	main

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