Old photograph of the Island Of Staffa, Inner Hebrides, Scotland. Staffa lies about six miles west of the Isle of Mull. The Vikings gave it this name as its columnar basalt reminded them of their houses, which were built from vertically placed tree logs. The island came to prominence in the late eighteenth century after a visit by Sir Joseph Banks. He and his fellow travellers extolled the natural beauty of the basalt columns in general and of the island's main sea cavern which Banks renamed Fingal's Cave. Their visit was followed by that of many other prominent personalities throughout the next two centuries, including Queen Victoria and Felix Mendelssohn.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
View the most recent Tour Scotland photographs.
