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Product of three volcanic eruptions,
Staffa is a remarkable wonder of the natural world.
Fingals Cave, just one marvel of this fascinating
island, inspired a famous piece of classical music
but the waves plunging into the cave produce a music
of their own |
| Staffa first caught my attention
in 1964, but I waited 36 years before making my
first visit. I was thrilled to discover that the
boat actually lands passengers on the island (weather
permitting). I followed the narrow walkway from
the pier, round the cliff and into Fingals Cave
and stood in awe, along with open mouthed fellow
passengers from all over the world. This place is
justly famous. At 66 feet high and 240 feet deep
it is an impressive feature - and the pentagonal
rock columns continue right inside the cave. |
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The pentagonal formations reflect
the underlying shape of the basalt (volcanic crystals
form hexagons during rapid undersea cooling). Similar
features can be seen at the Giants Causeway in Antrim,
Northern Ireland, which is not far away. But Staffa
has a wonder that is magnified by its relative inaccessibility.
You can only get there by boat - usually from the
Isle of Mull, which is itself beyond the range of
fast roads. |
| Steep steps from the
landing pier lead to the grassy top of the island
from where you can look down on the crazy columnar
piles and across to some of the other islands. |
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Fingals is not Staffa's
only cave. Alongside it is MacInnons cave, the largest
cave on the island, but less accessible and somewhat
less striking. The whole island has been in the
care of the National Trust for Scotland since 1986. |
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©
Derrick
Phillips 2004
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