Apex Planet

Located on the uninhabited island of Staffa off the west coast of Scotland, Fingal's Cave is an amazing sea cave. It is formed entirely from hexagonal basalt columns, similar in structure to the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland. The cave is well-known for its arching, cathedral-like geological features and emanating eerie sound. The size and naturally arched roof of the Fingal's Cave along with the eerie sounds produced by the echoes of waves, give the cave the atmosphere of a natural cathedral.


Also known as Uamh Binn in Gaelic (meaning Cave of Melody), it bears a history and geology unlike any other cave in the world. The cave is composed entirely of hexagonal basalt columns which produces the naturally arched ceiling. The cave stretches 250 feet in to the rock and its roof is 70 feet above the sea. The columns were formed by an enormous mass of hot lava cooling so slowly that it cracked into long hexagonal forms. These pillars make up much of the base of the island of Staffa and those of nearby Ulva.


Fingal's Cave can be visited via sightseeing cruise from the town of Mull. There is a path in on one side which involves stepping from the top of one column to the next. One can travel to the small island of Staffa and hike into the cave by stepping from column to column. The easiest way to see this awe-inspiring cave for yourself is to take a sightseeing cruise as the cruises land close to the cave. However, one must walk on the hexagonal basalt columns to enjoy the wonder perfectly.