In short
- Both feature hexagonal basalt columns.
- Formed by the same 60-million-year-old lava flow.
- Mythology claims a giant built a bridge between them.
In this article
The distinctive hexagonal rocks at Fingal's Cave in Scotland often remind visitors of the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland. This similarity is not a coincidence. The two sites share a direct geological origin and feature in the same Celtic legends.
How are Fingal's Cave and the Giant's Causeway geologically related?
They were created by the exact same volcanic event roughly 60 million years ago.
During the Paleocene epoch, a massive lava flow covered parts of what is now Scotland and Northern Ireland. As the lava cooled rapidly, it contracted and cracked. This formed the hexagonally jointed basalt columns seen at both locations today.
What is the shared giant legend?
Celtic mythology claims the rock columns are the remains of a bridge built by giants.
According to legend, giants built a causeway across the sea to fight each other. The matching rock formations on both coasts fueled this ancient story. Fingal's Cave shares its name with Fingal, a hero of Scottish myth linked to these tales.
How big is Fingal's Cave?
The sea cave is approximately 72 feet (22 meters) high and about 230 feet (82 meters) deep.
Unlike the sprawling coastal landscape of the Giant's Causeway, Fingal's Cave is a deep cavern. The hexagonal basalt columns make up the cave's walls. You walk along a narrow, uneven causeway of these columns to reach the entrance.
How do you get to the Scottish columns?
You must take a paid boat tour to the uninhabited Isle of Staffa.
You cannot drive to Fingal's Cave. Tour boats operate from April to October. They depart from Oban, Fionnphort, Tobermory, and Iona. Tickets range from £35 to £102, depending on your departure point. Prices can change.
What are the main differences for a visitor?
The main differences are accessibility and the level of visitor facilities.
Staffa requires a boat trip across open ocean. Landings depend entirely on favorable sea conditions and ocean swell. The island has zero facilities, so you must bring your own food and water.
When is the best time to visit Fingal's Cave?
Boat tours run from April to October.
If you visit between early May and early August, you can also see Atlantic puffins nesting. A recent count confirmed at least 637 occupied puffin burrows on the tiny island.
Questions travellers ask
Is Fingal's Cave related to the Giant's Causeway?
Yes. Both rock formations were created roughly 60 million years ago by the exact same ancient lava flow.
Are there hexagonal rocks in Scotland?
Yes. The Isle of Staffa in the Inner Hebrides is made entirely of hexagonally jointed basalt columns.
Can you drive to Fingal's Cave?
No. Fingal's Cave is on the uninhabited Isle of Staffa. You must book a boat tour to reach the island.
