Staffa
Staffa (Scottish Gaelic: Stafa, pronounced [ˈs̪t̪afa], from the Old Norse for stave or pillar island) is an island of the Inner Hebrides in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. The Vikings gave it this name as its columnar basalt reminded them of their houses, which were built from vertically placed tree-logs.
| Scottish Gaelic name | Stafa |
|---|---|
| Old Norse name | stafi-oy |
| Meaning of name | Old Norse for 'stave or pillar island'. |
Aerial view of Staffa, with The Colonnade in the foreground and Am Buchaille to the right | |
| Location | |
Staffa Staffa shown within Argyll and Bute | |
| OS grid reference | NM323355 |
| Coordinates | 56.43°N 6.33°W |
| Physical geography | |
| Island group | Mull |
| Area | 33 ha (1⁄8 sq mi) |
| Area rank | 0 |
| Highest elevation | 42 m (138 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Country | Scotland |
| Council area | Argyll and Bute |
| Demographics | |
| Population | Uninhabited since 1800 |
| References | |
Staffa lies about 10 kilometres (6 miles) west of the Isle of Mull; its area is 33 hectares (82 acres) and the highest point is 42 metres (138 feet) above sea level.
The island came to prominence in the late 18th 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 those of many other prominent personalities throughout the next two centuries, including Queen Victoria and Felix Mendelssohn. The latter's Hebrides Overture brought further fame to the island, which was by then uninhabited. It is now in the care of the National Trust for Scotland.