Stac Pollaidh and Knockan Crag
Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2011 8:59 pmLast Thursday was a fine day and we were lucky to have time off, so there came time to start season 2011. Maybe not with a big bang, as Stac Pollaidh is a leg warmer rather than a proper climb. Nevertheless, as views are second to none, this little hill is certainly worth visiting more than once!
Stac Pollaidh is a sentimental trip for me - it was the first mountain I climbed in Scotland. I remembered that first climb as painfully steep and the made-up path to the top seemed so narrow... I can't believe now, looking back to it, how could I have been so scared? Well, I guess I got used to heights. The very same path after three years felt more like a track
If I keep my course, maybe in 10 years time I'll gather enough courage to conquer the In Pinn 
My favourite view from Stac Pollaidh is to the north, with Suilven and Canisp both seen face-on.
But there are beautiful panoramas wherever you turn...
At some point a thin layer of clouds appeared around the top of Suilven:
We spent some time climbing the rocks...
...and enjoying the sunny day
Finally, we walked around the hill, admiring its unusual shape from every direction.
Just around the corner from Stac Pollaidh, there is a nice, little walk along the cliffs of Knockan Crag. As we still had a couple of hours of daylight, we added it to our trip, together with some more good views
There is something unique about Assynt, the shapes of mountains, the vast space with very few signs of civilisation, the moon-like character of the landscape. It feels like for a short time we travelled to another planet...
Stac Pollaidh is a sentimental trip for me - it was the first mountain I climbed in Scotland. I remembered that first climb as painfully steep and the made-up path to the top seemed so narrow... I can't believe now, looking back to it, how could I have been so scared? Well, I guess I got used to heights. The very same path after three years felt more like a track
If I keep my course, maybe in 10 years time I'll gather enough courage to conquer the In Pinn - Stac pollaidh in the morning sun
My favourite view from Stac Pollaidh is to the north, with Suilven and Canisp both seen face-on.
- Suilven and Canisp
But there are beautiful panoramas wherever you turn...
- Cul Mor
- Cul Beag and Loch Lurgainn
At some point a thin layer of clouds appeared around the top of Suilven:
- Clouds over Suilven
We spent some time climbing the rocks...
...and enjoying the sunny day
Finally, we walked around the hill, admiring its unusual shape from every direction.
- Stac pollaidh from south-west
Just around the corner from Stac Pollaidh, there is a nice, little walk along the cliffs of Knockan Crag. As we still had a couple of hours of daylight, we added it to our trip, together with some more good views
- Looking west from Knockan Crag
- Suilvan from the viewpoint
There is something unique about Assynt, the shapes of mountains, the vast space with very few signs of civilisation, the moon-like character of the landscape. It feels like for a short time we travelled to another planet...
