The American Cyclopædia (1879)/Fingal's Cave

Fingal's Cave.

FINGAL'S CAVE, a grotto on the S. W. coast of the islet of Staffa, Argyleshire, Scotland, 7 m. off the W. coast of Mull, probably called after Fingal, the legendary hero of Gaelic poetry. It is formed by lofty basaltic pillars, and extends back from its mouth 227 ft; its breadth at the entrance is 42 ft.; at the inner end, 22 ft. The sea is the floor of the cavern, and is about 20 ft. deep at low water. The main arch has been compared to the aisle of a great Gothic church; the columnar side walls are of stupendous size, and there are stalactites of a great variety of tints between the pillars. It is easily accessible, except at extreme high tide, by small boats. The height from the top of the cliff to the summit of the arch is about 30 ft., and from the latter to the water at mean tide about 60 ft. Broken columns form the causeway on the E. side, and conceal the lower parts of the front columns, so that these seem to be only 18 ft. high, while the W. pillars are twice as high. The length is more than 200 ft. The sides are columnar like the front, and nearly perpendicular, but the irregular grouping and the fragmentary condition of the columns impair the symmetry of their appearance. There are several other remarkable caves in the island of Staffa.