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Volcanic rock columns are home to black guillemots, eiders, fulmars, puffins and the magical Fingal’s Cave
See the famous hexagonal rock columns, formed millions of years ago by volcanic eruptions.
Listen to the astonishing acoustics of Fingal’s Cave, which inspired Mendelssohn to compose his Hebrides Overture.
Walk to the highest point of the island and enjoy the panorama of Hebridean islands in a sparkling sea. Remember to keep your eyes open for whales, dolphins or basking sharks as well!
Enjoy a puffin-spotting picnic in summer.
Escape the everyday! This little island (½ mile long and ¼ mile wide) off the west coast of Scotland looks like it may be from a different planet. Its hexagonal columns were formed millions of years ago by volcanic eruptions and a vast blanket of lava that spread into the Atlantic Ocean. Years of waves crashing against these columns created the magnificent Fingal’s Cave.
In 1772, the botanist Joseph Banks highlighted the wild, natural beauty of the island, and it soon became a must-see location. Famous visitors have included Queen Victoria, Lord Tennyson, Jules Verne, Robert Louis Stevenson and John Keats; all fell under the island’s spell.
Staffa came into the care of the National Trust for Scotland in 1986, a gift from John Elliott, Jr, of New York in honour of his wife Elly’s birthday.
Staffa was designated a National Nature Reserve in 2001.
We have commenced the next phase of a major infrastructure project on Staffa as we continue to invest in the visitor experience on this beautiful island.
We would love you to submit photos of seabirds carrying fish at any National Trust for Scotland place. This will help us monitor what food seabirds are finding to feed their chicks.
Find out more about Staffa’s seasonal ranger Louise King, including some of the highlights of her role and the wildlife encounters she enjoys on her daily commute.
