Scotland Tour: Staffa and Treshnish Isles

We were blessed with another fabulous day for what turned out to be the final stage of our Scotland tour. The next day brought non-stop rains that would limit what we could do or see on the Heidinger's final day in Scotland. In the meantime, however, we made the most of the calm and sun during our boat tour of Staffa and Treshnish - small, uninhabited islands off the west coast of Mull. We arrived at Ulva ferry (where our boat tour would begin) two hours early, so had some time to enjoy the morning while waiting for our boat:
We picked some wild berries...
and watched the fishermen prepare their bait and traps (for langoustine)...

When the small tour-boat was ready to load, despite our being the first ones at the dock, we failed to get in line and thus attain one of the dozen coveted deck seats. As a consequence, we were crammed into a hull with cloudy windows until we reached our first island destination - Staffa:

Britt and I enjoying the sights from the island:
Jon and Janet on Staffa:

Tremendous view of cliffs, sea, and surrounding islands on this beautiful day:



Jon and Janet pause for a photo on Staffa's famous pillar-shaped rock formations:
Me contemplating the divine order and harmony suggested by the rock and the music of the sea:
Britt, also contemplating rock music I presume:
The most interesting geological feature of Staffa, Fingal's cave:
Inside Fingal's cave:

More of Staffa's unique rock formations:

Next, we proceeded to the Treshnish Isles, interesting for its number and variety of seabirds, including puffins, shags, gannets, guillemots, and razorbills.

Castle rock on the way to the Treshnish:

Our boat moors off of Treshnish while the passengers swarm the island, looking for puffins:
There were not many puffins around this time of year, however, so I contented myself with the view of Scottish isles:

I didn't come to the island looking for a shag, but I found this one anyway:

The Treshnish may have lacked the divine forms of Staffa, but its rock cliffs were a good place to perch and watch the birds:
More views across the Treshnish Isles:

And on the way to and from the Isles we got to see numerous basking sharks:

And a few grey seal:

Another long day...