The Old Man of Stoer.

Point of Stoer Lighthouse

We set off from the lighthouse on a blustery cool day, but it was bright, with the sun threatening to break through. The walking was along the cliff tops, as close to the edge as we felt was safe.

Looking north from near the Point of Stoer Lighthouse

The going was rather boggy in places and we needed to make rather more detours than we liked, to avoid getting very wet feet (and possibly knees). Rafe ploughed on through everything as usual.

Waterfalls flowing upwards from near the Point of Stoer Lighthouse

The cliffs were magnificent. The water on heath above gave rise to cascading waterfalls over the rocks, some of them with the water flowing up, due to the south westerly blowing in.

North of the Point of Stoer Lighthouse

The Old Man of Stoer

As we gained our first glimpses of The Old Man, an exposed promontory seemed a good viewpoint and Jim trotted off, with Rafe in tow, across the rocks as if there wasn't a 100m drop below. I was more measured in my crossing of the ridge, ie, I crawled crabwise to the end, dreading every gust of wind.

Jim and Rafe dice with death near The Old Man of Stoer

But it did make for good photographs.

The Old Man of Stoer

The Old Man of Stoer

We continued on, over the clifftops, to The Old Man. A wonderful spot, with views along the North West coast and over to the Assynt hills.

Near The Old Man of Stoer

Point of Stoer Lighthouse

We returned along the coast, but further away from the cliffs, giving us wider views of the whole area.

Suilven from near Point of Stoer Lighthouse

We had a coffee and a cake at the Blue Tea Van at the lighthouse car park, lovely views and good conversation.

The Blue Tea Vans facebook page link

Canisp and Suilven

Route: Point of Stoer Lighthouse car park (NC004327), along the coast path north to The Old Man of Stoer. Return along cliff paths, but further from the edge, south to the start.

Statistics:  Distance: 6km  Ascent: 250m  Time: 1hr 45mins

Assynt Hills