Fingal’s Cave and The Giant’s Duel

The myths and legends of Scotland and Ireland are deeply connected and nowhere is that more evident than the immensely impressive Fingal’s Cave on Staffa. Not only do the mass of black columns look like they have been stolen from the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland but Fingal is another name for the legendary hero known as Fionn mac Cumhaill on the other side of the water.

It’s no surprise that people started telling legends to explain Fingal’s Cave. It’s so perfectly formed that somebody must have carved this place out of the rock and that somebody must have been a giant. Known as The Cave of Melody until being renamed the 18th century, it has inspired poets, musicians and artists including Walter Scott.

The cave on Staffa wasn’t originally the home of Fingal but was where his nemesis, the Scottish giant Benandonner lived. Fingal was a big man and a legendary warrior but he wasn’t a true giant. Benandonner was much larger than Fingal and insults were hurled in both directions with each feeling safe because of the sea between them. Eventually the Scottish giant challenged the Irish hero to a showdown to see who could live up to their threats. A bridge between Staffa and Ireland was built using the huge basalt columns still found at both ends.

Benandonner wasn’t sure what he had got himself into. He had never actually seen Fingal but had heard of his adventures and the impressive foes that he had slain. The giant had a reputation to uphold though and he didn’t think anybody could truly be bigger or stronger than he was. Crossing the Irish sea on this new bridge, Benandonner could be seen for miles standing out against the horizon.

Waiting at the Irish end, Fingal finally caught a glimpse of Benandonner and now it was his turn to be worried. He might be a giant of a man but even he would struggle to defeat something the size of his Scottish rival! Fingal’s wife was a cunning lady and she had an idea. Instead of trying to match Benandonner for strength they would beat him with their wits.

Fingal lay down and was swaddled in a huge sheet by his wife just like a newborn baby. When Benandonner arrived and demanded to battle his opponent there and then, he was told it would need to wait. Fingal was out hunting and it was only his wife and the baby at home for now. As soon as Benandonner saw the size of this baby his jaw dropped. If that was how big the child was then imagine how enormous his father Fingal must be!

Benandonner wasn’t going to wait to find out and he raced back across the bridge, destroying it as he went. He reached the safety of his cave on Staffa and thanked his luck that Fingal hadn’t been at home when he arrived. Over time, the legends of Benandonner have faded away and as well as winning their feud, Fingal seems to have won the name of the incredible cave on Staffa.