Scottish Blog

Smoo Cave is a sea cave in Derness, which also contains fresh water runoff.


Smoo Cave is formed of several chambers, with the first being a product of corrosion from the sea. The inner chambers were created when continued flows of freshwater dissolved away stones to form a large expanse. The corrosive action has been continuing for an incredibly long time, withthe inner chambers even containing evidence of Norse and Iron Age use. The freshwater enters the chamber through a hole in the ceiling of the cave, and forming a 20 meter high waterfall. Technically, Smoo Cave could be considered to be two separate caves which were eventually joined together by the combined forming mechanisms.

Smoo Cave is approximately 83 meters long, and its end it reaches a terminal sump in its third chamber. There exists a collection of smaller passages and tunnels, which indicate that the cave is much deeper than is currently recorded. Exploration of the sump has been carried out to a limited extent. Divers have traversed the extra passages to a distance of 40 meters, although he conditions of the water prevent further exploration.

The cave mouth to Smoo Cave the largest known entrance in Britain, and is approximately 40 meters in width and 15 meters in height. The cave entrance is situated at the end of a 600 meter passage which was carved out by tidal movements. At one point the gorge was part of Smoo Cave, but it has since collapsed. In its current structure the cave is rarely touched by the sea tide, except for the occasional unusual spring tides.

Sgoil Chiùil na Gàidhealtachd is a school dedicated to teaching and fostering the growth of traditional Scottish music.

Sgoil Chiùil na Gàidhealtachd is part of the Plockton High Scool in the village of Plockton, Scotland. The school is relatively small and caters only for 350 students, from the ages of 11 to 18. The school is in a relatively remote location and caters for the surrounding students, and allows a limited number to utilize the on-site hostel.

In 2000 the Sgoil Chiùil na Gàidhealtachd was opened as the music school. The translated name of the center is the National Center of Excellence in Traditional Music. The school provides high quality tuition to a select few students. As Sgoil Chiùil na Gàidhealtachd is in such high demand that students from all over the country audition to learn at the school. Typically, if accepted, they will stay at the school hostel.

The Sgoil Chiùil na Gàidhealtachd offers tuition by professional musicians of Scottish musical instruments. The students are also taught to sing and read in Gaelic or Scots. Students from the school have played at Celtic Connections, Scots Fiddle Festival, Celtic Colours Festival in Cape Breton, Tartan Week in New York City, TMSA festivals, and in front of the European Parliament.

1727 – 1807


Neil Gow was a renowned Scottish fiddler, dancie and influential figure in Scottish music.

Neil Gow was born in 1727 in Inver, in the Perthshire region of Scotland. It is said that Neil Gow was seen as a musical prodigy from an early age, having his first musical lessons at the age of 13 from John Cameron. Despite his evident talent, Neil Gow first trained as a weaver, but quit the trade within a few years, in order to become a full time musician.

The story of Neil Gow goes that at the age of 18 he entered into a contest that was judged by the blind John McCraw, who said that he would recognize Neil’s fiddle playing amongst one hundred other players. This adoration led to the Duke of Atholl taking an interest in Neil Gow, and appointing him as a player at the Duke’s parties and balls.

Neil Gow’s work is still widespread, and is often played and country dances and ceildhs. He is credited with having created over eighty five dance tunes. According to researchers, during Neil Gow’s life time it was not uncommon for Scottish musicians to “borrow” or reinvent old pieces of music, or even relatively modern songs. Nearly one quarter of Neil Gow’s music has been attributed to previous artists.

An annual festival has been instated to celebrate Neil Gow’s life, and it takes place in Dunkeld and Birham, in Perthshire, Scotland.

Bis is a Scottish indie rock band which has been active on the Scottish music scene since 1994.


Bis came onto the Scottish music scene in 1994, soon after its band members left high school. The group made it to the BBC show Top of the Pops. At the time, the band was unique in Scottish music, in that they had not signed a contract with a record label.

Bis has held the same member line up since its inception, with Steven Clark, John Clark, Amanda MacKinnon. The band saw some success with its initial singles, which were released as EPs. The songs also entered the charts in Japan and Australia.

Bis released its first full albums with Chemikal Underground, a popular label for indie performers on the Scottish music scene. The band used different labels for their releases overseas. Bis met marginal success in the USA, landing some musical roles in a handful of televisions shows. They also earned some fans in the Scottish music scene, and even internationally, with the likes of the Foo Fighters.

Bis split in 2003, but remained active in Scottish music, often as DJs at local clubs. However, the band reformed in 2005 to release songs under a different name, and one again in 2007. They are now often seen touring the UK.