Maolbhuidhe Bed and Breakfast, Fionnphort, Isle of Mull

How to get to Staffa

In summer there are two boats making twice daily trips to Staffa from Fionnphort, leaving about 0945 and 1215 with at least one hour ashore (weather permitting). In high season it is best to book at least the day before, which we will be pleased to do for you.

The boats leave from Iona and call at Fionnphort before departing for Staffa, so you can go to Staffa in the morning, return to Iona about mid-day, (perhaps have lunch at one of the two hotels?), then finally come back to Fionnphort on the ferry in late afternoon. Or you can do it all in the opposite direction, though that usually means you have less time to spend on Iona.

For further information see Staffa Trips and Gordon Grant Tours.

Fingal's Cave

Legend has it that Fingal's Cave is the Scottish end of the Giant's Causeway, built by an Ulster giant in order to fight the Gaelic giant Fingal.

Many people will be familiar with Mendelssohn's 'Hebrides' overture ('Fingal's Cave') written after the composer's 1829 visit to Staffa and published in 1832. He wasn't the only 19th Century celebrity visitor; the list includes Queen Victoria, the poet Tennyson and the painter Turner. Today you can follow in their footsteps.

Puffins on Staffa

A relatively small number of puffins nest every year on Staffa. Those that do return each year to the same burrow. They arrive about mid-April, and leave at the end of July or early August.

With only an hour ashore you will have to walk quite fast to see both Fingal's Cave AND the puffins.

To see them climb up the steps to the cliff-top and walk along the path northwards (i.e. towards the far end of the island). Keep an eye out to your right for flying birds and (further on) birds active at their burrows.

The best place to see puffins (and in much larger numbers) is on Lunga. Staffa Tours run combined Staffa/Lunga trips from Fionnphort most days from mid-April to the end of July/early August.

The Geology of Staffa

Staffa is world famous for the basalt columns that can be seen all over the island, and particularly at its southern end around Fingal's cave. The very name Staffa is Viking origin and means 'Stave' or 'Pillar' Island.

The columns were formed from slowly cooling lava flows some sixty-five million years ago. The upper part of the flow, which cooled more quickly, forms a 'crown' on top of the columns. The lave flowed over uneven ground, so although many of the columns are straight and vertical, others are curved and lie at different angles (for example at the neighbouring islet of Am Buachaille (The Shepherd), and the Clamshell Cave, both of which are close to the landing site.

For a fuller explanation of the geology see scottish geology.