Stac Pollaidh – A Great Beginner’s Hike in Scotland

The Scottish Highlands are a hikers’ paradise, filled with many challenging walks and summits. Luckily, there are some smaller hills too, such as Stac Pollaidh, that are more beginner friendly but still offer fantastic views across the surrounding area. That is, if you get a clear day of course!

In this short guide we’ll share everything you need to know before climbing Stac Pollaidh including where to park, when the best time to hike is, what to bring and what to wear, as well as a short trail description with a route map.

Whilst we usually like to challenge ourselves, like we did when hiking Ben Nevis via the Carn Mor Dearg ridge, we’ll also never say no to enjoying panoramic views with less effort. We were also in the process of driving the NC500, therefore didn’t have time for a full day hiking adventure. If you’re also on this scenic road-trip, then hiking Stac Pollaidh is a great way to stretch your legs without losing an entire day’s drive.

About Stac Pollaidh in Scotland

Stac Pollaidh, also known as ‘Stac Polly’, is located in the northwestern Highlands, about 15 miles from Ullapool. It has a height of 612m, or 2,008ft, which makes it a rather small mountain in comparison to the surrounding peaks.

Even though it’s one of the lowest peaks you can climb up in the Scottish Highlands, it still gives you some amazing panoramic views of the area. It’s also worth noting that it has two peaks, an east and a west one. The west one is actually more technical to climb, requiring a Grade 2 or 3 scramble. Therefore, many hikers end up enjoying the views from its eastern peak, which is more suitable for beginners.

Best Time to Hike Stac Pollaidh in Scotland

Whilst you can technically climb up Stac Pollaidh all year round, there are better and worse times to attempt this wee hill in the Scottish Highlands.

Generally speaking, you’ll want to pick a clear day for your hike with minimal to no cloud. However, this might not be possible, especially if you’re only in the area for a short time. We recommend doing your climb between May and September to avoid very extreme conditions. Having said that, make sure to check the weather forecast even on the morning of your planned hike. Scotland’s weather is unpredictable and whilst one valley might be clear, the next one over might not be.

Another thing to consider, especially in the summer months, are the midges. The midge season in Scotland is normally between mid-May and September. Midges are tiny flying insects that bite a lot. We were climbing Stac Pollaidh in August so as you can imagine they were everywhere! You can get further information about midges here.

During the winter months you may get some crisp but clear days, so it could be a good option if you’re visiting at this time. However, for newbie hikers we don’t recommend hiking in winter! Plus, you’ll most likely be travelling in Scotland during the warmer months anyway.

Where to Park for Hiking Stac Pallaidh

The trailhead is located next to a narrow single road north of Ullapool and west of Drumrunie. There is a dedicated car park just above Loch Lurgainn. It’s a tiny car park though, which can fill up very quickly, especially in the high season. If you want to secure a spot, you should probably arrive here early.

Note. If the car park is full, please avoid parking in any of the nearby passing places. This can block emergency vehicles as well as locals and other drivers.

It’s also worth noting that there isn’t a public toilet at this car park. Midges will be waiting for you, so you might not want to linger there unnecessarily, or leave the car door open longer than you need to. Trust us, it wasn’t fun trying to get them out of the car afterwards!

What to Wear and Bring With You

We recommend wearing hiking and weather appropriate clothing when climbing Stac Pollaidh in Scotland. Wear layers in case you get warm, and definitely have a rain jacket with you because the weather can be unpredictable.

As always, we recommend wearing hiking shoes or boots, although you can easily hike in trainers with good grip too.

Don’t forget your midge repellent and/or have a face net for extra protection, especially during July and August. Wear SPF and, if it’s a clear and sunny day, bring some sunglasses and a cap for extra protection.

Whilst it’s not a super long hike, make sure to have enough water with you. You can also pack a few snacks and a warm drink to consume at the top if you wish.

Stac Pollaidh Hiking Route

1. Ascending Stac Pollaidh

The trail starts across the road from the car park. We walked through a wooden gate and followed the path straight up via some man-made stone stairs. It was a bit overgrown to start with but it soon opened up. We gained elevation pretty quickly, which allowed us to enjoy the views of Loch Lurgainn and the surrounding peaks.

We then went through another gate, and had to decide between going left or right around the hill itself to reach the top. The path seemed more obvious to the right, and looked a little shorter too, so we thought we could reach the top quicker by going that way. This path circles around the eastern side of Stac Pollaidh before it starts heading up to the summit.

We loved the views we got once we started ascending the hill proper. Thankfully we had a clear day, so we could see for miles. Whilst the trail did become a bit steeper and rockier, it was still pretty easy to tackle. Soon, we reached the eastern summit.

2. The Summits of Stac Pollaidh

There are actually two summits on Stac Pollaidh. The true summit is located on the western side and requires some scrambling and rock climbing experience. If you’re a beginner hiker, then we don’t recommend trying to reach the true summit. You’ll have just as amazing views from the eastern peak.

Even if you’ve done some scrambles before, we only recommend attempting the west summit if the weather is dry and there’s not much wind. Whilst we had possibly the most ideal weather conditions, we read that in order to reach the summit we would’ve had to do a Grade 2 or 3 scramble up a pinnacle. Since we were continuing our drive along the NC500 later that day, we were happy to just sit and enjoy the views from the eastern summit. Until the midges decided to eat us for breakfast! At that point, we were ready to hike back down.

3. Descending Stac Pollaidh

To descend, you have the same two options as on the way up. You can just hike back down the exact same way you ascended, or go around the opposite side of the mountain. We initially wanted to do the full loop but read that the western side can be a big boggy when wet. Plus, the path isn’t as well-maintained as the eastern one. Considering that the midges were eating us alive, we simply didn’t fancy hiking through a boggier section which could only have meant one thing: even more midges.

However, if you decide to hike back along the western section, the path should be more visible by walking it anti-clockwise. It’ll eventually join back together with the path leading to the car park.

Final Thoughts on Hiking Stac Pollaidh in Scotland

After thinking that we may not be able to hike Stac Pollaidh at all because there was zero visibility on our first attempt, we were chuffed that we got the perfect conditions the following morning. Whilst we normally pick more challenging and longer hikes, it was a great way to stretch our legs during the NC500 road trip. The views from the top were incredible and gave us the perfect boost to carry on driving through the incredible landscape of the Scottish Highlands.

Have you ever climbed up Stac Pollaidh before? If so, did you do it whilst completing the NC500? If not, would you add this short de-tour to your road trip itinerary? Let us know in the comments below.