Stac Pollaidh

While "only" 612m, this superb solo sandstone palisade exemplifies how remarkable Scotland?s in-theory-small mountains can be: in a mere 3 + hours you get a fascination-packed thriller of a walk which qualifies for our Top 100.

A good circular path from the shore of beautiful Loch Lurgainn climbs quite quickly then swings round the shoulders of the massif to its northern face, where a short but steep clamber gets you to the saddle in the middle of the high ridge. The two higher, shattered, towers on each side require confidence and experience with scrambling at height.

The views all around are gorgeous and thrilling, and give you a full lesson on the area's idiosyncratic geography and 'logy.

To the north, across beautiful lakes and rough, broken lower hills ("cnoc and lochan") and bog, rises the famous lonely mass of Suilven, claimed to be Britain's most unusual mountain. To the west are more ice-scraped, rough little hills, which nestle a myriad of streams and small lakes: along with the isolated mountains these peculiarly convoluted low hills give the area its distinctive flavor. Beyond them lies the sea. Round to the east from Suilven rise Canisp in the distance and the fine mass of Cul Mor across a sprinkling of lakes in the valley below. Looming over Loch Lurgainn to the east and south are a further selection of impressive mountains. Really wonderful scenery.

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For more information and photos, including detailed practical information and some warnings, see our Assynt Peninsula walk page.