Rock Climbing in Scotland

Immerse yourself in the wild north of Scotland to experience one of the most famous climbing adventures in the UK: the classic “Sea Stack Trilogy”. Commonly referred to as the “sea stack Odyssey”; it’s a journey of truly epic proportions taking in the Old Man of Hoy (137m tall, E1 5B/ French 6a), the Old Man of Stoer (60m tall, VS 4C/ French 5a) and Am Buichaille (60m tall, HVS 4c/ French 5a). Surrounded by nature, the power of the sea and the rich history of their respective first ascents.

 

Initially, each of the 3 stacks were climbed by the infamous Tom Patey between 1966-68.
Any avid climbing historian will recognise the magnitude Patey’s name wields and it is therefore no surprise to learn, that each of the routes in someway underlines the core values at the very heart of British trad climbing culture. It’s a journey for any avid or budding “adventure climber” wishing to explore the very best in Scottish Sea Cliff Climbing.

 

To Odyssey - “a long and eventful or adventurous journey or experience”.

 

Anticipating an adventurous climb can be nerve wrecking. It’s an environment that feels very far removed from climbing on your local crag, not to mention the sterile confines of an indoor climbing wall.  Envisaging great sandstone pillars, the potential for projectile vomiting birds, rough seas booming against the cliffs, daunting abseil descents and intrepid sea crossings. Not to mention the large journey even to reach the base of even one of the stacks! Here at Kennedy Mountaineering we specialise in helping you experience the very best Scotland has to offer. Whether you are a keen indoor climber or trad climbing regular looking to tick off yet another route from the endless dream routes list, join us on an adventure you’re unlikely to forget: with scope to climb just one or the entire sea stack trilogy!

 

Suggested Plan.

Individual stack (dependant on experience, available as a 1-6 days course)

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This plan would be more preferable for those with less trad climbing experience, but are otherwise solid climbers (indoors, sport or bouldering). Over the course of a week, we would seek to progressively build your skills with the objective of climbing a sea stack at some point during the week. 

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Note:

We would require you to come onto the course a competent and skilful belayer (lead and top rope), and an independent indoor/ sport leader at minimum. This prior experience will be a great asset throughout the week and will allow you to get more out of the course. For those without this experience, but keen to work towards such a course please get in touch and we can advise you on what steps to take next.

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Day 1-5: Focusing on the skills you will need to climb a sea stack! 

 

Day x: Stack day!

 

Sea Stack Adventure (only appropriate for those with a lot of trad climbing seconding experience)

Day 1: 0800 meet in Ullapool or Inverness – we will confirm a plan then, dependant on the current weather conditions and experience. We will then journey north and spend the rest of the day covering some of the necessary skills required for climbing and assess your climbing.

Day 2: Sea Stack day 1 – Our intention would be to climb our first sea stack, however it might be appropriate to have a second skills based day depending on your experience, ability and confidence.

 

Day 3: Sea Stack 2 

Day 4: Sea Stack 3

Day 5: Spare day – The fifth built in day is a spare. Our overall objective would be to climb the 3 stacks over the week and this would allow us the flexibility required to ensure a safe, enjoyable ascent of each of the stacks whilst maximising our chances for good conditions on the rock. If all goes to plan we will utilise this as a guided climbing day!

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Day 6: Recommended additional spare day. Allows for additional training, climbing and flexibility. (Optional +1:1 £240/1:2 £290)

 

Accommodation and Transport

• For maximal flexibility we suggest wild camping. We can provide you with a tent and stove, but you’d need a sleeping bag and roll mat.  On the Isle of Hoy we will bring camping equipment, but will intend to stay in or outside the Rackwick Bothy (dependant on space!) 

 

• We recommend that you have a vehicle, however are more than happy to lift share in our company van: it would be quite tight for space though!

 

Who is suitable for this course?

• To be eligible for a full “Sea Stack Adventure” course you need to reliably second climbs at a minimum standard of French 6A/ seconding E1 5B trad. You must be relatively experienced and proficient in removing trad gear, be confident at abseiling and generally fairly happy on rock.

 

• For individual stacks we can be more lenient and provide additional training for newer trad climbers (indoor climbers etc.), but expect guests to be able to climb approximately French 5C/ VS 4C outside (for Old Man of Stoer and Am Buichaille) OR French 6a/ E1 5B to climb the Old Man of Hoy.

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Guided Climbing Details and Pricing:

What you will receive:​

• The safety equipment required for the day (if you have your own that’s fantastic and please bring it!)

• Radios

• Camp Stove

• Tent (if desired)
   

What’s not included?

• Transport to the venue (pre-arranged).

• Ferry fares

• Food

• Climbing shoes + chalk bag

• Accommodation/ Sleeping bag + Roll Mat (dependant on your choice of abode)

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