Until 1829 this great sea cave on the island of Staffa in the Inner Hebrides was known by its Gaelic name, Uamh-Binn or Cave of Melody in English.
Approaching Staffa, you are struck by its three layered structure. The lowest is a layer of tuff (or compressed volcanic ash). The amazing mid layer is composed of dark basaltic hexagonal columns. These formed as a layer of lava from the Mull eruption slowly cooled. The top layer is another layer of lava which has cooled to form a uniform layer of basalt.
On the day of our visit a boat load of tourists landed as we approached the island. But by the time we pulled our kayaks up on the little beach beside the jetty, the tourists had all “done” the cave and made their way onto Staffa’s summit plateau. We made our way round to the now deserted Fingal’s Cave and slowly entered, our eyes adjusting to the darkness into which soaring basalt columns disappeared like the pillars supporting the vault of a great mediaeval cathedral. Our ears were filled with the gentle surge of the surf and our thoughts naturally turned to Mendelssohn’s Hebridean Symphony, which had been inspired by this natural music of the cave.
Then it started, out of the darkness came the most beautiful singing of Handel’s Messiah. The Glorias rose as a duet to the roof of the cave then echoed round till a whole chorus of harmonies filled our ears. The hair prickled on the back of our necks and we were captivated by the sound as we stood silent in the darkness. When the singing stopped, two German music teachers emerged from the gloom of the cave. It was a reminder of how Mankind’s own works can sometimes challenge even the most remarkable of Nature’s wonders. We congratulated them and were delighted when they asked if they could stay and watch while we brought our kayaks round to paddle inside the cave!
Then in 1829, Mendelssohn subtitled his manuscript for Hebridean Overture "Fingal's Cave" after the mythical Scottish/Irish Giant. The name has stuck.
PS added 21/1/07
This was a perfect day and at its end, we enjoyed a perfect sunset from the summit of Lunga in the Treshnish Isles looking over Coll in the Inner Hebrides to the distant mountains of Barra and South Uist.
What a remarkable place.
ReplyDeleteThese hexagonal columns ressemble the basaltic columns at The Giant's Causeway in Ireland. Patterns in Nature intrigue me.
Interesting geology indeed! What fortunate happenstance to arrive just as Handel was being sung! It must have been one of those magical moments life sometimes brings to us. Lucky you!
ReplyDeletewhat a perfection of a day you had! Alison
ReplyDeleteWendy, Staffa is a very similar to the Gian's causeway rock. It is also basalt that has cooled to create the hexagonal columns.
ReplyDeleteMichael, we were lucky indeed.
Alison, see PS on post for the sunset at the end of a perfect day from Lunga. The next day was not so perfect, it was very windy for our return home!
Hi Douglas,
ReplyDeleteYour trip sounds amazing, I am very interested in the Kayaking around Ulva, in particular visiting Staffa, I have a lot of kayaking experience on rivers, but little on the open sea, could you tell me a bit about the currents and tides around there, are they not notoriously strong? I think it is about 2 and a half miles of open sea to Staffa, I would love to go but I am a little nervous of these factors.
Best wishes Sophie
ps
ReplyDeleteThere's a proposal to establish a huge fish farm on Gometra, with a second in Loch Scridain. There's a petition at
www.thepetitionsite.com/1/savestaffaarchipelago
They need 1000 objections in the next couple of weeks if anyone feels strongly enough to object.