Staffa is cared for and maintained by the National Trust for Scotland who have kindly given permission for this Virtual geocache. Being a Virtual geocache, there is no physical item / container to find, instead you will have a couple of questions to answer and a photo to post.
Staffa was named by the Vikings as the basalt columns reminded them of their houses, built using upright logs.
The name translates to stave or Pillar in old Norse.
Staffa, being a National Nature Reserve as well as a SSSI & SAC is a nationally important area for a variety of seabirds including Fulmars, Common Shags & Puffins.
As per NTS wishes, dogs are not welcome on Staffa due to ground nesting birds. Please keep to paths, do not litter, keep away from cliff edges and beware of any signage in place.
Most people arriving on Staffa do so on organised tours and weather permitting are able to disembark at the small pier nearby. A high percentage of boat trips are not able to land due to the swell / conditions.
The path round to Fingals cave from the pier is obvious after climbing a few steps up. It is a not difficult walk although there are many uneven steps and areas of uneven rock to get there, so care must be taken. There is a handrail nearly all of the way.
This handrail is anchored into the stone by both horizontal & vertical poles.
Please email or message the cache owner with your answers to the following two questions (and please do NOT put the answers in your log). There is also a requirement to post a photograph with your log.
Question 1
The handrail along to the cave is split into sections.
Please count how many Vertical + Horizontal posts within the first three sections of handrail.
Question 2
At the top of the stairs heading for the Puffins. There is a stone & cement cairn on the left as you leave the stairs. On the front there is a sign.
What are the last four numbers at the bottom of sign ?
Photo Requirement
You are also required to post a photograph in your log of yourself (doesn't need to show face) with either the jetty or stairs in photo.
Many thanks and I do hope you enjoyed your visit to this special place.
Virtual Rewards 4.0 - 2024-2025
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between January 17, 2024 and January 17, 2025. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 4.0 on the Geocaching Blog.