The very distinct shape of Stac Pollaidh is visible from nearly every corner of the Assynt area. It is not a Munro or a Corbett but still one of Scotland's most important mountains. Although it is not particularly high with only 612 meters, it is also quite dangerous thanks to its jagged and technical ridge leading to the True Summit. Most casual climbers reach the bealach of this mountain and then the easier, eastern, lower summit. Views from this peak are amazing - to all other mountains of Assynt: famous Suilven, picturesque Fiddler and Cùl Mòr amongst many others. Only a few of these casual climbers will attempt to conquer the True Summit though. There are a few reasons for this. Even the start of the ridge is quite exposed and that discourages many, then the labyrinth of paths between pinnacles decorating the summit is quite confusing and since many of these paths end with a chasm or deep ravines, it also deters casual climbers. Moreover, some of these pinnacles need to be climbed on, with some degree of moderate scrambling skills needed. But even if you manage to get through these obstacles, the worst bit is still in front of you - a huge boulder lodged in a saddle just before the True Summit. There are potentially two ways, either climb to the top of this boulder, which needs long limbs and some bouldering experience or to go around/beneath it which demands a never of steel and nimbleness, since you have to crawl through a small, slippery opening below the boulder, just a few inches from a vertical drop. No wonder that after beating all these obstacles, the sense of achievement after reaching the True Summit is enormous. But then you realise that you must go back the same way 😜. Actually, not necessarily, since there is an alternative route down from the bottom of the boulder, but it is very steep and looked as tricky as going back through the pinnacles. All in all, Stac Pollaidh is a brilliant mountain, mostly because it doesn't drain your strength with a lengthy climb to a ridge (it takes just 40 minutes) and leaves you with lots of strength to do the difficult bit. Remember, if you don't have the right footwear or more-than-average scrambling experience, if you suffer from vertigo or if the weather is not dry - don't climb True Summit. Wait for better weather next time, bring better shoes or train on less challenging mountains first. Though Stac Pollaidh is relatively small in comparison to Munros and that disproportion can fill somebody with a false sense of confidence, if you fall down, you will be as dead as you would fall down Mount Everest.

If you want to see the map location and some more pictures of this place, visit the page on our website: https://scotlandfarandnear.co.uk/en/S...

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Captured with: DJI Mini 3 Pro and GoPro12 in 4K