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Fingalβs Cave of Staffa, Scotland
The cave that inspired monarchs and geniuses.
The most extraordinary place I ever beheld; it baffles all descriptionβ.Sir Walter Scott, Historical novelist, playwright & poet
- Staffa is entirely volcanic and has unique geological features of towering hexagonal basalt columns.
- The cave was described by Queen Victoria as βextraordinary and splendid with all colours β pink, blue and green β which had a most beautiful and varied effectβ.
- The cave has inspired verse by Tennyson, Wordsworth and Keats, paintings by Turner and compositions by Mendelssohn.
- The caveβs other-worldly structure and symmetry creates spectacular auditory illusions, giving the cave itβs Gaelic name βthe Cave of Melodyβ.
- The name is based on the hero in James Macpherson's epic poem 'Fingal' (1762), based on early Gaelic legends.
- Staffa is uninhabited and accessible only by sea.
Clare Balding approaches Fingalβs Cave by boat
Clare explores the natural phenomenon that has inspired artists across generations.
View from inside Fingal's Cave
Clare Balding at Fingal's Cave
The mouth of Fingal's Cave
