Staffa - Fingal's Cave

The vast Fingal's Cave is certainly the highlight of an excursion to Staffa. Discovered by the explorer Sir Joseph Banks in 1772, this geological marvel extends for 227ft/69m. It resembles a cathedral with bizarre basalt pillars and vast ribbed columns in magnificent colors. The name derives from Fingal, the mythical Celtic figure and the father of Ossian who was popularized by James MacPherson of Kingussie in his epic poem. Its Celtic name is "An Uaimh Binn" meaning "musical cave", a reference to the droning echo of the waves that crash against the dark cavern walls. This dramatic scene has inspired poets, painters and composers with William Wordsworth, Lord Tennyson, Sir Walter Scott, William Blake, Herder and Brahms among the most celebrated artists to come under its spell. Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy visited Staffa in August 1829 and went on to write his Hebrides Overture. Three years later William Turner was moved to express the clash of the elements on canvas.