Fingal's Cave has been a source of inspiration for centuries
In Scotland's Inner Hebrides, lies a unique rock formation. Hundreds of geometric columns that once inspired Jules Verne and the Pink Floyd... Welcome to Fingal's Cave. 🏴
This is neither a human construction nor an extraterrestrial island…
In the west of Scotland, this uninhabited island has been a source of fascination for centuries. The Vikings, believing it was formed by gods or giants, named it “Staffa”, otherwise known as “pillar island.” Its cliffs are adorned with thousands of hexagonal columns. On the south side is Fingal’s Cave, which resembles a natural temple. As the ocean rushes inside, it creates strange echoes.
The similarity between these pillars and those of the Giant’s Causeway gave rise to a legend. These two places are said to be the endpoints of an ancient causeway built by giants. The columns from both sites share a similar composition: they are made from volcanic basalt.
The Isle of Staffa was formed around 59 million years ago, when an eruption produced a thick lava flow. By cooling down slowly, it created these hexagonal forms. Later, erosion contributed to the carving out of Fingal’s Cave.
Over the centuries, the cave has inspired the painter William Turner, the writer Jules Vernes and the group Pink Floyd. Now uninhabited, the island is accessible by boat and it's possible to explore it on foot. In spring and at the start of summer, several birds come here to nest, like Atlantic puffins. You can also see black guillemots, cormorants, razorbills and northern fulmars. Since 2001, the island has been classified as a National Nature Reserve.
Brut.
84 comments
Elzbieta H.
10/14/2020 17:19Pień olbrzymiego drzewa
Brian W.
07/11/2020 02:54That is crazy cool
Nathaniel M.
05/19/2020 12:24Theories theories Diferrent from HisStory
Julia K.
05/18/2020 13:45We also have those in parts of Greenland
Lewis M.
05/14/2020 18:11must be the other side of the causeway
Gayle O.
05/14/2020 14:13😍
Robles S.
05/11/2020 18:42K chulada
Jonathon T.
05/11/2020 14:52lets go
Lakshay H.
05/11/2020 13:29viking
Dan C.
05/11/2020 09:12this is where I want to go
Stacey A.
05/10/2020 23:44If we ever go to scotland I feel this is a must !!
Dan C.
05/10/2020 19:16this is where I want to go
Gustavo Q.
05/10/2020 01:16We have that kind of rock formations in Hidalgo, Mexico too. I couldn’t post a picture.
أبو و.
05/08/2020 17:12سبحان الله
Georgina N.
05/08/2020 07:27Amazing 💗
Ruth B.
05/07/2020 14:59do you know this place/have you been here??
Kaleb F.
05/07/2020 10:09This is beautiful
Sapp L.
05/07/2020 10:08scottish nature...
Rita K.
05/07/2020 06:06😍
Wendy J.
05/07/2020 05:06Fabulous. Truly... <3