Climbing Stac Pollaidh on the hottest day of the year
Rising to 612m, Stac Pollaidh is one of the smaller siblings of the mountains in the Inverpolly region of Scotland. It often gets overlooked, as keen climbers and hikers set their sights on the formidable Suliven, or Cul Mor.
However, Stac Polly as it’s fondly known stands out from all the rest for its instantly recognisable jagged pinnacles and gullies which crown its crest.
It’s outline is unmistakable.
We set off to climb Polly on one of the hottest days of the year-In London temperatures were peaking at 37C and in Sutherland, things were heating up to about 26C so still pretty damn hot by Scotland’s standards! Nonetheless we were determined to make the climb- it was sweaty and the heat was full on but the views after each step just got better and better as Inverpolly opened out before us..the waters of Loch Sionasgaig were a rich blue, and we were treated to clear views of Suliven, Cul Mor and Cul Beag.
The sandstone rock formations here are quite incredible-A day to remember- not just for the heat but for being lucky enough to spend some time in the company of a mountain as magnificent as Stac Polly.
The ascent-one woman and her dog- Charlie found the hike very hot but was bounding ahead like a little mountain goat!
views across Loch Sionasgaig to Suliven
Sandstone rock formations on the scramble up to the summit ridge
We made it! View across Loch Sionasgaig
The sandstone pinnacles of Stac Polly…otherworldly
Taking in the view from Stac Polly across Inverpolly
