Adventures With Friends: The Old Man

The Old Man of Stoer rises two hundred feet out of the sea off the Sutherland coast. The impressive stack is formed of Torridonian Sandstone, which was laid down some 1200 million years ago. Since the first accent by Tom Patey in 1966, climbers have flocked to for a real Scottish climbing classic. The remote location combined with the necessity to use a tyrolean traverse to gain access, makes it an extremely exciting and adventurous climb.

A wonderful place to wake up. Photo - Jonny Hawkins

With a couple of days off from the Lodge, Rory, Rachael and my-self decided we would give it a bash.

We awake at Stoer Head in our tent, teetering on the edge of the huge cliffs dropping steeply into the sea. Built in 1870, the slightly stubby Stoer Head Lighthouse guards the cliffs from stray boats and offers a great focal point for tourists.

Walking in past the Stoer Head Lighthouse. Photo - Jonny Hawkins

Birds circle overhead as we walk north towards the stack. Soon enough it appears above the horizon, causing a sweep of excitement and huge grins across the board. We follow a steep climber’s path down to the ledge and observe for the first time the incredible stack standing proud.

Our first views of the beast. Photo - Jonny Hawkins

Rory nobly steps up for the swim and soon enough we have a tight rope for Rachael and I to shimmy across. This is my first tyrolean which bumps up the adventure factor significantly.

Rachael getting her tyrolean on. Photo - Rory Brown

Once all across, Rory leads off, traversing just above sea level to start the climb. We choose to climb the “Original Route” which is a stunning, four starred VS that trends up and round the stack offering immaculate climbing and stunning view all the way up. Huge jugs on steep sections, palatial belays and exposure by the bucket load definitely make this a climb one to remember.

Celebrating at the summit. Photo - Rachael Crewesmith

On on the top, we enjoy a celebratory drop of ‘Dark Island’ soaking up the spectacular views of the rugged coast and across the Minch to the Outer Hebrides. It is amazing to view the whole coastline, at clifftop level, stuck out above the sea. Awesome.