Scotland is one of those countries where the weather changes all the time, making it a dream destination for landscape photographers. Composed of several islands, Scotland is full of hidden gems, and in this article, I’d like to tell you about Fingal’s Cave, located on the Isle of Staffa, just off the Isle of Mull. This cave is famous for its stunning basalt columns, vaulted ceiling, and natural acoustics. If you’re lucky, you might even spot puffins there in spring and summer! However, reaching the cave requires some preparation, as it’s not directly accessible by car.
Staffa Island, the majestic Fingal’s Cave and puffins
The Isle of Staffa is a small volcanic island in the Inner Hebrides. It is best known for its dramatic basalt columns, similar to those found at the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland, and for the spectacular Fingal’s Cave.
During spring and summer, puffins also nest on Staffa. When I visited in 2017, they were nesting in the north of the island, opposite Fingal’s Cave. Unfortunately, since visits are limited to one hour, I didn’t have time to go see them.
➜ Staffa Island
➜ Fingal’s Cave
How to get to Fingal’s cave
Staffa can only be reached by boat from the Isles of Mull and Iona, usually departing from Fionnphort or Oban. Since the journey depends on the weather, crossings may be canceled if the sea is too rough. If visiting Staffa is a priority, I recommend staying at least two nights on the Isle of Mull to maximize your chances.
In my case, the weather was great, and I had booked the first boat in the morning to avoid crowds. The visit is limited to just one hour, and Fingal’s Cave is at the southern tip of the island, so you’ll need to walk a few minutes to get there. Including the return walk, you’ll have around 20 to 40 minutes to take your photos. Personally, I went straight to the cave as soon as we docked to get there first. The entrance area is relatively small, and it’s impossible for 25 photographers to shoot at the same time.
I believe the tide was low that morning, as the water level inside the cave was quite low. When booking your tour, check the tide times depending on whether you want more or less water in your photos.
Photography gear: what to bring
To capture the beauty of Fingal’s Cave, here’s the photo equipment I recommend:
✅ Camera and wide-angle lens : the cave is large, so a wide-angle lens will help you to capture the whole scene.
✅ Tripod : useful for long exposures, though the entrance is well-lit while the back of the cave is darker.
✅ ND filters : if you want to take very long exposure shots.
✅ Polarizing filter : the rocks are often wet, and a polarizing filter can help reduce reflections.
✅ Good footwear : the terrain on Staffa is quite slippery, especially around the cave. I highly recommend good hiking boots.
Basalt’s structure of Staffa Island
Published on 10.02.2025 by Jennifer Esseiva
