The Old Man Of Hoy Guided Climb

This two day guided climb up the Old Man Of Hoy is an adventure to not be missed! at 5 pitches long it is the longest of the sea stack climbs of Scotland and is the most iconic. It is regarded as the best of the three main stacks and is situated in a truly iconic location off the west coast of Hoy. 

If you are competent at the grade of VS then we guarantee you will enjoy this trip and be able to get to the top under the guidance and instruction of our experienced staff (all members of AMI). We normally aim to climb the stack on day 1 after getting the ferries across and take a more relaxed day 2 but if the weather dictates otherwise we may swing these days around and climb it on day 2 instead. 

We will meet at the Scrabster ferry car park for 07:30 in the morning of the first day where we will ensure everyone has the correct kit and then board the ferry heading to Stromness – on board they offer a nice hearty full cooked breakfast which we can recommend to people. 

Once we reach Stromness we will need to wait a short while normally an hour or two before the second ferry runs taking us to Hoy itself so we often sit in a local cafe to discuss the trip and any other climbing adventures people have undertaken before. 

We will then get the ferry across to Hoy and the taxi to Rackwick (all included in the costings). From here we will deposit our equipment that we do not need like tents etc and we will walk across the paths to the iconic old man of hoy. 

We scramble our way down the steep banks and make our way across the old collapsed part of the stack which joins the remaining stack to the mainland. We will then begin our climb taking in the 5 pitches. Pitch 1 is a nice warm up on good rock before pitch two which is the hardest pitch of the climb involving a small down climb and two small roofs to surmount. From here, pitch three and four are very similar to the first pitch with easier climbing before we reach the fifth and final pitch which is often people’s favourite pitch of the route. We climb a corner crack which we can quite literally see through the entire stack to the other side!

Topping out we will admire the stunning views and possibly even view the sunset from the top before taking three abseils back down to the base. The final abseil is truly something to behold.

Day 2 mis very relaxed we wake up in the morning chill and then get the taxi and ferries back across to the mainland where will part our ways. If the weather looks poor on day 1 but good on day two we may swing the days around having a more relaxed day 1 and a more extreme day 2.

We are proud to recommend local accommodation options within the Aviemore area for people when you are up before or after your guided 2 day trip up the Old Man Of Hoy:

Aviemore:

Youth Hostel A budget friendly option for people.

Coylumbridge Hotel Aviemroe – good for groups and families alike.

Premier Inn – always a good shout.

Rothiemurchus Campsite – situated in the stunning forest, this is a beautiful budget friendly option.

Glenmore Campsite – situated at Scotland’s highest beach, Loch Morlich has phenomenal views across to Cairngorm Mountain.

Newtonmore & Surrounding Areas:

https://www.wherestagsroar.co.uk/ award winning accommodation in the Highlands – perfect to stay at while up on an outdoor adventure.

Invernahavon Caravan Park – a bit quieter than the others as it is a little further away from the hustle and bustle of Aviemore.

Dalraddy Holiday Park – a family and dog friendly campsite.

Booking a two-day guided trip to climb up the Old Man of Hoy is an incredible experience that will stay with you for a lifetime. Here are some reasons why:

1. The challenge: The Old Man of Hoy is a challenging climb, but with an experienced guide, you can safely navigate the route and push yourself to new limits on the East Face e1 5b.

2. The scenery: The views of the Scottish coast from the top of the Old Man of Hoy are breathtaking and not to be missed and we may even get to see the sunset from the top as well. You will experience a unique perspective of Scotland’s natural beauty.

3. The adventure: Climbing the Old Man of Hoy is an adventure like no other. You will feel a rush of adrenaline as you ascend the towering sea stack and create unforgettable memories.

4. The expertise: An experienced guide will provide you with expert instruction and tips that will help you make the most of your climb.

5. The sense of achievement: Climbing the Old Man of Hoy is a significant achievement, and completing the climb will leave you with a deep sense of accomplishment and pride.

We pride ourselves on providing as much kit as possible for you.  However, the list below is what we recommend you should bring to your guided 2 day trip up the Old Man Of Hoy:

• Travel insurance. (We are insured for all our trips, but we recommend everyone has their own travel insurance as well.)
• Lunch, water.
• Personal medication
• Sun cream, midge net
• Waterproofs (it is Scotland after all)
• Sturdy footwear.
• Climbing Shoes
• Rucksack
• Tent, roll matt, sleeping bag
• Food for 2 days & stove + gas if you intend to cook.

Here at Highland Outdoor Adventures, we pride ourselves on providing as much as we can but you are welcome to bring your own equipment if you do prefer. The list below is what we provide you with on the day.

• All instruction.
• All Ferries & Taxi On Hoy
• Helmets
• Ropes
• Harness
• Helmets
• All Technical Climbing Gear
• All first aid and safety equipment.
• Transportation for 2 people. Pickup can be arranged from elsewhere if needed.
• Photographs of the day provided for you at no extra cost! If the weather is good we will have a DSLR professional camera  so we can take photos and videos of your adventure and you can look back at the day for years to come. If the weather is less favourable we will bring a GoPro (as it is waterproof) so we will still be able to take photos for you.