Is there anything more adventurous than having to swim through the sea to gain access to your intended climb? Or hauling yourself across a tyrolean traverse with the water swirling below you? This is what is required for Am Buachaille and the Old Man of Stoer before you even start the climbing! The Old Man of Hoy is attached to the island of Hoy but it still takes two ferries to get there and as the hardest of these three sea stacks it is certainly not to be underestimated. These are the most famous of the Scottish sea stacks but definitely not the only ones worth climbing. If there is something else that you have your eye on then let us know and hopefully we can help you out.
Climbing sea stacks is pure adventure through and through. We will visit some of the most remote parts of Scotland, come face to face with fulmars, and camp next to stunning white-sand beaches. As with any rock climbing trip everything is very weather dependent, so if it doesn't look good for a sea stack we will go to where the weather is good and the rock is dry, and make the most of it!
If you are ready to start your sea stack adventure just drop us a message and we can start making plans.
The weather in Scotland can change in a matter of minutes. Rain is common and it can regularly feel very cold on sea cliffs, even in the summer on a sunny day. Make sure you are ready for your trip by packing the items on the list below.
Helmet, harness, belay plate, karabiner, rock shoes.
Warm clothes for climbing in (not your best, it’s a messy business with nesting fulmars!). It can get cold in a breeze even on a sunny day.
Small rucksack for climbing big stacks with. Medium rucksack for walking to the stacks with.
Big holdall for everything else to leave in the van or to take to the bothy on Hoy.
Lunches and day time snacks. We will be able to buy more as we go but it would be useful if you have enough for the first three days.
Swimming stuff! A swimsuit and towel or something you don’t mind getting wet.
Sun cream and sun glasses.
A small tent, sleeping bag and mat.
Personal 1st Aid Kit - plasters, blister kit, all normal medication including asthma inhaler if you have one.
What's Included Included in the price is guiding and instruction, and the use of helmets and harnesses if you don't have these. Your guide will provide all ropes and technical equipment so you just need to bring your own personal climbing kit. You will also need to provide your own accommodation, food, and insurance.
Experienced Needed You should expect to be out climbing for a full day, potentially in cold weather, so a good level of fitness is required. Your level of climbing should match which routes you want to go for. For instance, East Face Route on the Old Man of Hoy is E1 5b so to do this route you should be comfortable seconding this grade. All of our guiding is tailored to suit you, so let us know what you've done before and any goals you may have, and we will make sure your days out have the perfect amount of challenge and fun.
Outline for the Day We usually start our days in summer at 8am, but it could be earlier depending on the weather, location etc. Your guide will aim to meet you at your accommodation, where you will check through kit before heading out into the mountains, and you should be back down by about 5pm.