STAC POLLAIDH

Another trip to Ullapool [May 2008] and yet another trip up the 613m 'Graham' Stac Pollaidh with its fantastic views over the Inverpolly National Nature Reserve and in particular over fellow Graham, the 731m ('The Pillar') Suilven and also over Cul Mor and Cul Beag. This is the mountain that inspired Alan Hinkes into climbing. On the road to Achiltibuie a parking area and information point is reached, indicating the commencement of this hillwalk; Stac Pollaidh a mountain in erosion - 'crumbling and tumbling'..... Soundtrack: 'Time Was' from 'Argus through the Looking Glass'.

The mountain though is easily accessible and popular with hill-walkers, not least for the spectacular views it provides of the surrounding area. Its is situated 11-miles (17.5 km) north of Ullapool within the aforementioned Inverpolly National Nature Reserve.

Is this ancient crumbling Graham the finest mountain in Scotland? Well, it certainly is one of the more distinctive peaks with those weathered (but disappearing) sandstone pinnacles and probably does attract more walkers than any other mountain in the North of Scotland and now has a large purpose-built car-park with information board.

Ullapool is surrounded us on all four sides by mountains and contains some of the most beautiful unspoiled scenery in the world with undiscovered beaches, forests, hidden glens with stags grazing, waterfalls, bird sanctuaries to explore, breathtaking twisty single track roads, all warmed by the gulf stream that gives it the tropical garden look with the comparably mild weather. It really has its own micro-climate. Boat trips depart to the enchanting Summer Isles as does a power boat trip that is highly recommended [watch the other video - Seascape adventure]; see seals and porpoises or marvel at the botanists miracle of Hydroponics in Achiltibuie.

The town itself was designed and built in 1788 by Thomas Telford and the British Fisheries Society. The aim was to exploit a boom in herring fishing at the time. This peaked and then, in an early example of overfishing, declined from the 1830s. By 1900 the enterprise was judged a failure leaving this nice grid plan town with little economic activity and fewer prospects.

It took a couple more decades for the long distance fishing fleets from eastern Scotland and beyond to discover Ullapool's benefits as a safe anchorage on the western side of the country. Now the pubs have that cosmopolitan feel to them with accents from around the world.

Stac 'Polly' is the distinctive steep-sided mountain of the Assynt district of Wester Ross, (Gaelic: Stac Pollaidh or 'peak of the pools') rises to 613m (2009 feet). Its true summit lies on a craggy ridge and is certainly not for the faint-hearted to attempt.

As regards Ullapool on the east shore of Loch Broom, the town was founded in 1788 as a herring port by the British Fisheries Society - and was designed by Thomas Telford. The harbour is still perhaps the focal point of the town and is used as a fishing port, yachting haven, and ferry port. Ferries, as in this video, sail to Stornoway in the Outer Hebrides. Many of the pivotal discoveries of the Victorian era that contributed to the development of the concept of plate tectonics were made in this area, and there are still regular international geological conferences! Others, of course, visit here for the scenery, hillwalking and the Seaforth, FBI and the Arch!!! Not to mention those amazing breakfasts in the local cafe!

Anr enforced audio change: soundtrack now by MTWA.

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Travel & Events

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• roddymck
• Scotland
• Stac
• Pollaidh
• hillwalking
• Ullapool
• Martin
• Turner
• Wishbone
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[GBPaddling]

Stupendous scenery!!