KSAC’s Expedition to FINGALL’s CAVE

We had long talked about a dive trip to the Isle of Mull, so when one of our club members moved to the Island and offered accommodation at his croft it was far too good an opportunity to refuse.

We set off, a party of six divers with our RHIB on its trailer and our kit, cylinders and mobile compressor towed behind our second vehicle.

The journey to Oban was scenic and uneventful, as was the ferry crossing             to Craignure on the Isle of Mull. A short drive took us to our destination at Bunessan.

So far, so good.  Then the rain came down. Torrential, and the wind got up.

Our intention was to spend our nights under canvas, but when a river started to flow through our tents, our host very kindly offered indoor accommodation.

Friday and Saturday’s diving was somewhat constrained by the weather. None the less we had some excellent dives, but unfortunately not at the sites we had planned.

Sunday dawned fair.  Not just fair, but no wind and perfect blue skies. We were going to Staffa to dive Fingall’s cave.

A short drive from Bunessan  took us to Fionnphortthe Ferry Terminal and Slip Way for boat trips to St.Columba’s Island of Iona.

Having launched into the ‘Sound of Iona’ our course took us south of Iona   and then out to Staffa.

The sun shone, but the effects of the recent stormy weather were still to be felt. The crossing to Staffa was rough.

Approaching Staffa, its unusual and spectacular geology became apparent. Rows of Hexagonal Basalt columns. Evidence of its volcanic origins.

First sight of Fingall’s cave from the sea was intimidating. A large looming black entrance bordered by black columns, and all being battered by waves coming all the way from America.

Do we,  or don’t  we? was the question.  We’ve come all this way. Go for it. Into the water and quickly down out of the worst of the swell.         The sea bed on the approach to the cave is a narrow gulley which directs   a huge surge of water in and out of the channel with each wave.

The only way into the back of the cave was to grab on to a rocky protrusion at the side and let the outgoing water rush past.                         The next wave shoots the diver inwards. Repeat as required until the back of the cave is reached.                                                         Think ‘ Washing Machine ‘. Violent buffeting and tumbling. We did however manage to briefly surface inside the cave much to the amazement of the tourists standing around the edge.

Exit is the reverse of entry. Hang on and then be shot out on the ebbing swell.

All divers were safely recovered back in to the boat after an unforgettable experience. We moored up at Staffa’s jetty, had our lunch and enjoyed a look round the Island and a walk into the observation gallery circling the inside the cave.   The tourists who had seen us in the water plied us with questions about the experience, and left undecided as to whether we were nuts or heroes.

By the afternoon, the sea had calmed downsomewhat, so we had a pleasant easy run back to Mull after a very special day’s diving.

This dive was one which I will never forget.

There was no marine life, no weed, no scenery, no wrecks. Just smooth rounded pebbles, battered by the gigantic Atlantic Swells.

It certainly was different.

Would I do it again? 

You bet!