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Dun Through Cave (1) [S]

St Kilda, Dun, Invernessshire.

Large natural arch or sea cave (Dun Through Cave (1)), NNE to SSW through a narrow point in the island of Dun, St Kilda, from NF 10828, 97275 to NF 10809, 97233. A popular and sheltered dive site.

A second natural arch (Dun Through Cave (2)) runs NW to SE, NF 10791, 97303 to NF 10809 97233 with its SE entrance close to (or within) the entrance of the Dun Through Cave (1).

Large, open, well-illuminated rock arch. Rock wall of arch surveyed in 2015 but classed as a 'reef' site due to high levels of illumination. Corresponds to Ridley site (R 14) which is described as: "A 20m-high, 10m-wide arch about 50m long and about 10-15m deep through the arch, though there is a large, shallow rock just deeper than awash at high water in the middle of the channel. The boulders in the arch are covered with yellow Myxilla sponge and a variety of anemones... There is a very confused and broken water surface with any SW swell running; even in good conditions the dive demands careful boat cover." [SNH, A 2]

Corresponds to site A 2 (but coordinate error of ~400 m). Described by Ridley as: "A 20m-high, 10m-wide arch about 50m long and about 10-15m deep through the arch, though there is a large, shallow rock just deeper than awash at high water in the middle of the channel. The boulders in the arch are covered with yellow Myxilla sponge and a variety of anemones... There is a very confused and broken water surface with any SW swell running; even in good conditions the dive demands careful boat cover." [Ridley, R 14]

Dun Through Cave (2) Not closely assessed in 2015. Ordnance survey map indicates an arch/tunnel of length ~70 m. [SNH, A 3]

Alternative Names: Saw Cut, Cave at Na Sgarain, Na Sgarain E, A 2, R 14, Na Sgarain W, A 3.

Notes: There appears to be some confusion about what is referred to as the Saw Cut. Some divers seem to apply the name to the lower but longer slot at Na Srarain to the east and others apply it to the Through Caves or a slot off the wider larger natural arch.

The length given above reflects the combined lengths of Through Caves (1) & (2). The Vertical Range does not include the depth below water level.

Hydrographic Feeds: Atlantic Ocean

Hydrographic Resurgences: Atlantic Ocean