Fingal's Cave

Fingal's Cave

ID: QZP40_38011050210965_004 DESCRIPTION: Fingal's Cave is located on the Island of Staffa. It is rather exaggerated in this illustration but it does emphasise the large columns of basalt. This is a dark, volcanic rock that forms pillars. 'Fingal' is a fictional character featured in the Ossian cycle of poems which were very popular in 19th century Europe. The cave later inspired Felix Mendelssohn's Hebrides Overture. It is this cave that brought fame to the Hebrides in the scientific community. Joseph Banks described this in great detail and inspired other scientists to visit the area. The drawing is taken from "Voyage to the Hebrides", published in 1822. PLACENAME: Staffa DISTRICT: Mull OLD COUNTY/PARISH: ARGYLL: Kilninian and Kilmore DATE OF IMAGE: 1822 PERIOD: 1820s SOURCE: Highland Libraries Asset ID: 31805 KEYWORDS: