Stac Pollaidh

Stac Pollaidh is one of the most distinctive and celebrated small mountains in Scotland — a dramatically eroded sandstone ridge rising in splendid isolation from the Assynt and Coigach wilderness, its jagged, pinnacled crest giving views that rival many a much higher Munro.

The route starts from the Stac Pollaidh car park on the minor road between the A835 and Achiltibuie, with toilets on site. From the car park, an excellent pitched path crosses the road and climbs through woodland and shrub before reaching open moorland, curving round to the northern side of the mountain with expanding views to Cùl Mòr, Cùl Beag, and eventually the extraordinary silhouette of Suilven across the wilderness of Assynt. At a junction, the main circuit path continues around the base of the mountain, while a well-made path to the left climbs steeply to the lowest point of the ridge.

From the ridge, views are simply breathtaking in every direction — the Summer Isles to the south-west, the Point of Stoer and Suilven to the north-west, and Loch Sionascaig spread out below. The high point at the eastern end of the ridge can be reached via a short, easy scramble, and this is as far as most walkers go; the true summit lies at the western end of the ridge and demands genuine scrambling expertise, including a notorious "bad step," making it strictly the preserve of experienced, confident scramblers.

The return either retraces the ridge path back to the junction, or — for those wanting the full circuit — continues around the base of the mountain on a rougher, boggier path with fine views of the western tower and pinnacles, before rejoining the outward route through a gate in the deer fence back to the car park.

This is a serious little mountain despite its modest height — the ridge itself is straightforward for confident walkers as far as the eastern top, but full care, good boots, and a head for heights are essential, and the true summit should only be attempted by those with genuine rock-scrambling skills.

Parking at Stac Pollaidh is chargeable, with toilets on site; an infrequent bus (811) runs from Ullapool.