Old Man Of Stoer

The Old Man of Stoer is an impressive sandstone sea stack that stands in The Minch off the north west coast of Assynt. The Minch being the body of water that separates the Scottish mainland and the northern Outer Hebrides. It is 60m high and is said to resemble the face of an old man, though I can't see it myself, maybe you can?

Believe it or not people go out of there way to climb this perilous famous pillar, although on a day as windy as it was when we visited, nobody was that silly. The stack was first ascended in 1966 and has become a legend among climbers. It is not a mission to be undertook by anyone other than very experienced climbers with all of the relevant equipment.

From the parking near the Stoer Lighthouse, take the path heading north east along the cliff tops.

Keep an eye out to the left and the Old Man of Stoer soon comes into view as it can be seen from quite a distance.

If you are into your seabirds, keep look out for northern fulmars, great skua, peregrines, guillemots, pinnipeds, razorbills, twite, skylarks and dunlin. Although, I saw very little as my eyes were watering from the howling wind.

As you've made it this far, you might want to head south east for a short distance to the Point of Stoer Trig Point, who's wind shelter may come in quite handy.

It is 3km with 130m of ascent to the Old Man of Stoer. Follow the above route, or find on OS Maps.