One of the most iconic images of Scotland is that of Fingal’s Cave in Staffa, an island in the Inner Hebrides in Argyll and Bute. The unique volcanic layering of the island and caves make Staffa a mysterious and wonderful beauty.
The basaltic pillars that hold up the island give visitors a precarious and daring path to explore closer to Fingal’s gave. I recently visited Staffa while the weather was the best it has been in months but on colder and wetter days the path towards the cave can be treacherous since it is made up of hexagonal pillars of various lengths that fringe the island.
The only safety measures given as reassurance to hikers is a handrail screwed into the stone on the island side of you in case you lose your balance and almost fall into the rocks and water on the other side of you. Though I could not go into the cave (for security measures it was guarded) it still looked magnificent and mesmerizing from afar. My curiosity was sparked by the haunting darkness hiding from the bright sunlight and I very much wanted to explore what lay inside.
The cave was one reason why Staffa has now become my favorite island I have visited in the highlands so far, even rivaling Skye. The entire island is one large slab of rock and grass with various other caves dotting its edges. Visitors can climb up on top of the island and get a fantastic view of the water and other islands in the distance. Exploring the top of Staffa was an adventure since there was so many nooks and crannies to Staffa. The ground changed from solid dirt and stone to mud to softy spongy grass which made nearing the edge of its cliffs a little daunting. The water looked incredibly clear and blue that it was hard to believe I was looking at the Atlantic Ocean.
Staffa is not just significant for its beauty but also its geological history. It has been designated a site of Special Scientific Interest since its lava formations have survived intact instead of being eroded or dispersed. The different volcanic layers that give the island its unique look included compressed volcanic ash and dust called tuff at the bottom, basaltic columns in the middle and volcanic debris and broken column at the top.
Apparently in the summer Staffa becomes the home to groups of puffins and other wildlife. Though the weather was fantastic when I visited, unfortunately there was no puffin sightings, but I did see a group of seals on the boat ride to the island. The pictures of Staffa do not do its beauty justice. It really is a marvel of nature’s architectural power, one that surpasses any manmade building.
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