Staffa

In Walter Scott's ballad 'The Lord of the Isles' the poet describes the basaltic columns and cormorants of Staffa during his account of the voyage of the chieftains from Skye. He also contrasts the church on Iona with the cave of Staffa:

"Here, as to shame the temples deck'd

By skill of earthly architect,

Nature itself it seemed would raise

A Minster to hear her Maker's praise."

Stephen Thompson's photograph captures the grandeur of Staffa; a group of figures silhouetted at the mouth of the cave provide the scene with a sense of scale.