Venturing to Staffa is an adventure that begins in the charming, brightly-hued harbour town of Tobermory on the Isle of Mull or Fionnphort on the islands southernmost peninsula next to Iona. From there, a boat tour takes you on a journey across the water, passing the Treshnish Isles, which are famed for their puffin colonies. The sea journey itself is part of the experience, offering spectacular views of Mull’s dramatic coastline and the chance to spot marine wildlife like seals and dolphins.

Staffa’s name, derived from the Old Norse “staf-ey,” or “Stave Island,” is a direct testament to the island’s Viking heritage. The Norse seafarers who navigated these waters were so struck by the island’s towering, hexagonal basalt columns that they likened them to the vertical logs used in the construction of their homes. This Viking influence is widespread in the Hebrides, with many place names bearing their mark.

The island’s most celebrated feature, Fingal’s Cave, is steeped in folklore that connects it to the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland. According to legend, the two formations are the remnants of a bridge built by the giant Finn MacCool (Fionn mac Cumhaill) to walk across the sea to fight his Scottish rival, Benandonner. When Finn saw the monstrous size of the Scottish giant, he fled back to Ireland, tearing up the causeway behind him to prevent Benandonner from following. This tale of mythical giants and epic battles adds a layer of enchantment to the already awe-inspiring landscape of Staffa.