Stac Pollaidh facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Stac Pollaidh |
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 612 m (2,008 ft) |
| Prominence | c. 438 m |
| Listing | Graham, Marilyn |
| Naming | |
| English translation | The pinnacle of the pool river (Stakkr Pollå) |
| Language of name | Norse |
| Geography | |
| Location | Inverpolly, Scotland |
| OS grid | NC107106 |
| Topo map | Ordnance Survey Landranger 15 |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Scramble |
Stac Pollaidh is a famous mountain in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland. It stands out with its rocky top, made of a special type of rock called Torridonian sandstone. This top has many pointy peaks and deep, narrow valleys called gullies.
Imagine a time when huge sheets of ice covered the land during the last Ice Age. Stac Pollaidh's ridge was so tall that it poked out above the ice, like an island in a frozen sea. This is called a nunatak. The moving ice then smoothed and shaped the sides of the mountain.
The name "Stac Pollaidh" is quite new. On older maps, it was simply called "An Stac," which means "the pinnacle." Later, it became "Stac Polly." The "Polly" part comes from an old Norse word, "Pollå," meaning "pool river."
Even though it's not super tall (just over 600 meters or 2000 feet), Stac Pollaidh is very popular. It's easy to reach from a road and offers amazing views. Climbing it also involves some fun scrambling, which is like climbing with your hands and feet. Because so many people visit, a large path was built to protect the mountain from erosion.
Climbing Stac Pollaidh
Climbing Stac Pollaidh is a great adventure that most fit people can do in less than three hours. The journey starts from a car park near Loch Lurgainn. A clear path leads you up towards the mountain's rocky top.
About 200 meters from the road, the path splits into two. Don't worry, both paths meet up again on the other side of the hill. From there, it's only a short walk to the main ridge at the top.
Reaching the Summit
Once you are on the ridge, the highest point is about 300 meters to the west. To reach it, you'll need to scramble over several rocky peaks. This means using your hands and feet to climb. You'll also need a good head for heights, which means you're comfortable with high places.
The sandstone peaks on Stac Pollaidh are truly impressive. Many people say they are second only to the famous peaks on Quiraing on the Isle of Skye. These unique rock formations even have fun names like "The Sphinx," "Tam o' Shanter," "Andy Capp," and "Madonna and Child." One very cool rock, called the "Lobster's Claw," partly broke a few years ago due to natural erosion.
If you prefer an easier climb, the lower eastern peak can be reached without any difficult scrambling. No matter where you are on the ridge, the views are incredible! You can see the huge Inverpolly Forest and other nearby mountains like Suilven. The views of the Minch, a sea channel, are also breathtaking.
After exploring the top, you can return using the other path. This makes for a nice circular walk of about 3 kilometers.
