Staffa, puffins and back to Tobermory

Earlyish start today, soon after 7.30am.  Happy to leave our neighbours and happier still to be on the way to Staffa.

   

Staffa appeared in front of us through the morning haze and gradually became clearer as we approached.  The sea around it was affected by the wind and tide which is apparent through the different colours and textures of the water.

Yesterday, the southern end of the island had a variety of boats jostling to see the best view of Fingal's Cave, today we had it to ourselves.  Descriptions of the cave, its geology, its acoustics, how to land there etc can be found online if you want to discover more. eg this link   

Many artists have responded to the cave including JMW turner in 1831 [image below] and Felix Mendelssohn who included a response to Fingal's Cave in his "Hebridean Overture".

Unfortunately we couldn't land this time but it was wonderful visiting.

Fingal's Cave:  oil on canvas approx 36"x48" (90cmx121cm)

OK, so how do we follow that?

Easier than I thought.  

Moving north again alongside Staffa, we spotted groups of small black birds in the water.  As we got nearer, we noticed the distinctive orange bills and white breasts - puffins!  These cute little birds are delightful.  As we watched, they zoomed past us at eye level and skimmed the surface of the sea before settling again on the water.  

Puffins look as if they shouldn't be able to fly.  Their stubby little wings frantically flap to keep them airborne but they're still quicker than my camera! 

puffins... somewhere

"Running out of superlatives.

• mist hugging Mull allowing mountain tops to reach for the sky - a band of haze in the east
• south is the silhouette of Staffa, dark cliffs topped by rich green vegetation - we know puffins are there and cormorants in their white washed homes
• west are the Treshnish Isles, geometric squares and rectangles scattered across the Atlantic
• north is the Sound of Mull.  Ardnamurchan Peninsular is peeping at us through the haze.

We motor-sail in a cool breeze, hot sun and bluest of blue water." [from sketchbook]

Back to Tobermory, past the lighthouse and into The Mishnish for a drink.