Experience Nature’s Prodigal Blessing Called Fingal’s Island

Nature can really be playful yet surprising at times. There are some areas on this planet that have ended up so beautifully that no scientific explanation can validate causes and reasons. We all have succumbed to the idea that there might be a higher power that does all these wonders, and we all have been comforted with the fact that whatever it is, we are all being pleased.

We have seen the gaping features of grand falls, islands perched in the middle of a calm sea, flowers abloom in different hues—and we are always craving for more. Nature never failed to amaze us in unimaginable ways and one proof of this notion is the very existence of a seemingly perfected area of attraction called the Fingal’s Island.

Be astonished by how uniformed the rock formations have been and even if you have put in too much scrutiny, the reason on as to why the majestic cave was formed can be left unknown.

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Location

Fingal’s Cave is situated in the Island of Staffa, which is left uninhabited, in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. For this reason the local government of Scotland owns and protects this Isle and considered as part of their Natural Nature Reserve.

This is but a small yet incredible Island! Considered as one of the smallest islands in the Southern Hebrides, Fingal’s Cave is on the separate page of the Island but still within its water boundaries. Its geographical location is situated southwest of the island of Ulva and in between Ross of Mull and the Treshinish Isles.

Through the course of its history, this 33-hectare of land was inhabited before by just a miniscule number of 16 people during about 1700s due to the underlying fact that it was sold and later donated to the government. Currently, this patch of nature’s wonder is being used for scientific researches and interest because of its marvels including the Fingal’s Cave.

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Climate

If you wish to go sightseeing on this marvelous island there are several cruises organized from April to September. The climate here is considered as temperate and it tends to change, but not on the extremes.

The Scottish climate has four seasons namely—spring, summer, autumn and winter. Due to the abundant rainfall that the town is getting, it is quite evident to see their luscious greens along shorelines and islands, which is then being leaned on to as a form of vegetation.

The best time to travel in Fingal’s Cave would be during summer time, wherein the skies are bright and clear with lesser tendencies of rainfall. The climatic condition previously stated would be able to support a more conducive ambience for you to take longish treks and foot trips.

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Transportation

Because the island resides at the center of the water boundaries of Staffa, the locals arranged several travel cruises for visitors to enter. Boat tours are relatively available in retrospect with the island’s sometimes outlandish, sometimes calm weather.

Visitors would start from Fionnphort on the Isle of Mull, through boats leaving from the lona pier. Another route would be via Oban. From Oban, take the CalMac Ferry from the Oban Ferry Terminal Pier across the Firth of Lorne to Craignure on Mull. This is more distant than the other route, which will take you about 45, minutes giving you enough time to relax.

What to see

Fingal’s Cave

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Fingal’s Cave is now considered to be one of the world’s most loved tourist wonder because it looks as if it was intricately hand-made by someone greater than nature. The cave was formed from basalt columns because of a Paleocene lava flow due to the scientific fact that Staffa is also known to be a volcanic island.

Because the lava has cooled down on the upper and lower surfaces, it then solidified starting a block looking tetragonal pattern going to a more complex hexagonal contraction. As the cooling continued, the cracks extended towards the center flow, forming longer hexagonal frames and columns.

This entire framework is considered as nature’s surprises to man. The cave formations on its roofs are naturally arched, same as a dome. Locals then called the cave as “The melodious Cave” because it makes your voice echo as if you are situated inside a cathedral.

This wonderful cave could be explored on foot given that the water levels are low which could be arranged by the boat tours depending on the water levels.

The Staffa Boat trips include:

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Treshish’s wild life reserves

You could spend longer time to take pictures of the grassy slopes and spend time on its shorelines to go sightseeing over huge colonies of Puffins and other sea birds.

During the spring and early summer, you could also see the guillemots and the rare razorbills birds.

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Lunga

After the sail and the stop on Treshish, the tour will hop you on the little isle called Lunga, the largest of the Treshish Isles.

This marvelous scenery is breathtaking as it shows you the nesting grounds of some large puffins just a few meters away.

The general feel of the landscape also gives you this idyllic feeling because the Isle is covered mostly with wild flowers.

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Images:
(1) beautifulplacestovisit.com
(2) www.hebridean.co.uk
(3) en.wikipedia.org
(4) www.keelhaul.me.uk
(5) proof.nationalgeographic.com
(6) www.slate.com
(7) realphotographersforum.com
(8) www.nickelarse.com