Staffa

Category

Library Item

Item no

14975

Title

Staffa

Description

In this dramatic view of the island of Staffa surrounded by a turbulent sea people sit or stand on columns of rock. Whilst others are approacing the entrance to Fingal's Cave.

Artist / maker

Skene, James

Date

1815

Size

17 x 28 cm

Type

Watercolour

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

Staffa is formed from basalt columns, some of which are bent or broken. It is 135 ft high and the eastern shore allows access to the top where animals graze. At one time a shepherd and his family lived here, but it is now uninhabited. The people depicted in the picture are standing on an islet called 'the herdsman' separated from Staffa by a channel.

Find out more about the fascinating geology and history of Staffa here

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Related images

Related subjects

Landscape > Land > Caves

Landscape > Land > Islands

Landscape > Land > Rock formations

Landscape > Water > Seas

Places > Scotland > Staffa

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