After the London concert season ended, Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, then twenty years old, embarked on a journey to Scotland in July 1829. Accompanied by his friend Karl Klingemann, he hiked through the country, first reaching Edinburgh, where he climbed Arthur's Seat and enjoyed the view over the city. During a visit to Holyrood Palace, Mendelssohn was deeply moved by the tragic story of Mary, Queen of Scots, and vividly imagined her fate.
The journey then took the two onward through the Scottish Borders, where they visited, among other places, Abbotsford, the estate of Sir Walter Scott. Later, they reached the Highlands and Oban, where Mendelssohn made a sketch of Dunollie Castle. Their next stop was the Isle of Staffa; here, the impressive basalt columns of Fingal's Cave inspired him to develop initial ideas for the overture "The Hebrides."
The journey continued through the Scottish Borders, where they visited, among other places, Abbotsford, the estate of Sir Walter Scott. The crossing to Fingal's Cave the following day was accompanied by rough seas, but this experience left a lasting impression and influenced the later composition of the overture. Mendelssohn completed the work later in Rome, revising it several times. Over time, the overture acquired various titles until it finally became known as "Fingal's Cave."
This Romantic work differs significantly from Mendelssohn's earlier compositions and testifies to his artistic development. He later also composed the Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64, which was created in close collaboration with Ferdinand David. The concerto is characterized by virtuosity, innovative design, and a demanding form.