Superb mountain scrambling on what's arguably the best half-day route in Scotland. Stac Pollaidh's sandstone ridges and towers give great entertainment with the added bonus of superb views.
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Grade: 1-3
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Maybe not a Munro but Stac Pollaidh's
sandstone ridges and towers make for superb scrambling - if
there's a finer half day scramble in Scotland, I've yet to
find it.
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Equipment: ropes and protection
optional.
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Online Map link
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Views: 4
Technicality: 2
Exposure: 2
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GIBBER FACTOR* 2
*out of
five.
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Overview Stac Pollaidh may not appear in the Munro Tables, at
613m, but it is every bit a mountain even if it's in miniature. The
sandstone ridges and towers dominate the A835 as you leave Ullapool
and it's popularity has reached proportions way above its height and
led to the creation of a large car park specifically for those
wishing to ascend "Stac Polly".
Stac Pollaidh's classic east ridge from
Scrambler
Craggy's gallery album
If there's a finer half day scramble in Scotland I've yet to find
it. The summit gives superb views to that other iconic mountain
Suilven.
Approach Follow the main path north from the
car
park, steeply uphill to a fork. Ignore the main fork left and
take the right hand branch round to the east.
Route There is no set point for starting up the east flank;
the choice is down to where you want to start and how much scrambling
you want to take in.
The initial section is easy walking, but the upper section
provides scope to pick your own route making the scrambling as easy
or difficult as you like to reach the ridge itself.
Higher up the ridge with the views opening out.
Scrambler Craggy's gallery album
Even on the initial part of the ridge the route choice is one of
personal preference. The ridge to the east top gives everything from
Grade 1 to Grade 3 options, and always with an escape if required. If
ever there was a mountain for just pushing yourself to see what you
can do, this is it.
As you leave the east top on a full ridge traverse you'll
encounter a deep cleft. Take the scramble directly ahead up the far
side of the cleft if you feel up to it, or take the path on the north
side to avoid it.
Amazing views across to iconic Suilven
from Dave Stewart's Dunroamin
album
The section between here and the west end of Stac Pollaidh
consists of a series of weird and wonderful wind sculpted sandstone
pinnacles with superb, grippy, scrambling.
As you approach the western end of the ridge you can't escape the
big tower. There's no alternative here but to climb it
directly, and at Grade 3 with no escape this is the crux and a
fitting climax to the ridge. You should note, however, that this
must be reversed as there's no suitable way down from this end
of the ridge.
Descent: As there's no viable descent from the western end of
the ridge the route must be reversed, although the nature of the
ridge means you can again pick and choose your own line. If pushed for time then the saddle between the east and west tops
provides an alternative, with the path taking you back to the main
fork on the approach.
Caution Scrambling is potentially dangerous and, particularly
at the higher grades, requires technical skills and equipment to
minimise the risk. We suggest that you take professional instruction
or climb with an experienced partner.
