Over The Sea To Staffa

A clear, warm day at last! We drove the long and winding road to Fionnphort and took a boat trip out to Staffa. The sea was lively, the boat was open, we got a little wet, but the sun and wind soon dried us out. 

The thing to see there is Fingal's Cave, which inspired Mendelson to write the overture of the same name. It is quite a sight - huge basalt columns disappearing up into the roof, and clear turquoise water lapping at the base. 

We had time for a quick walk to the top of the cliffs to watch the puffins coming and going. Some still had their beaks full of sand eels, but my shots were not very well focussed. I was concentrating on not falling over the edge!

On the way back we got off the boat on Iona. It was a lot quieter today, so we went into the Abbey. It is such a lovely place, so tranquil now, it's hard to believe that once it witnessed awful scenes of violence during the times of the Viking raids. The restoration of the buildings is still going on, and the old and new blend very harmoniously.

I'll try to put in a few extras if the broadband will let me.