The Old Man Of Stoer Guided Climb

The Old Man Of Stoer Guided Climb Course information

The Old Man Of Stoer Itinerary

Meet your guide at the lighthouse car park at 10:00 for a safety briefing and equipment check. From here it is an hour or so walk to The Old Man Of Stoer Sea Stack and a short swim across or Tyrolean before the guided climb (5-10m depending on the tides).

Begin the ascent following your guide’s instructions and navigating pitches as appropriate – sometimes we will do pitch one and sometimes we will walk around the back of the sea stack and do an alternate version of pitch 1 as it depends on how wet the bottom of the stack is.

Take in the stunning views of the Scottish coast as you climb being guided up to the summit of the Old Man of Stoer. Your guide will be on hand to offer support and guidance throughout the climb. Once you reach the top, enjoy a well-deserved break and celebrate soaking in the incredible scenery. Then, descend via abseil (easily one of the best in the entire country – 55m back down to the base half of which is free hanging to finish on a ledge just by the sea) to the base under the guidance of your guide before returning to the car park, feeling a sense of accomplishment and exhilaration from your climb.

We are proud to recommend local accommodation options within the area for people when you are up for your guided climb up the Old Man Of Stoer:

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 guided climb up the original route of the Old Man of Stoer can be a thrilling and rewarding experience. Here are some reasons why:

1. A guided climb ensures that you have an experienced and knowledgeable professional (a member of AMI) who is familiar with the route and has proven themselves to be at the top of their game in climbing. They will provide you with the necessary equipment and instruction to keep you secure throughout the climb.

2. The Old Man of Stoer is a challenging climb, and having an expert guide with you can help you navigate the route and avoid potential hazards. Your guide will be able to offer insights and tips that can help you make the most of your climb. Often people wish to climb these routes but are not at the ability to lead them so booking a guided climb allows you to get to the top safely and without hassle.

3. A guided climb up the Old Man of Stoer is an adventure like no other. You will get to experience breathtaking views of the Scottish coast, feel the thrill of ascending the rock face, and push yourself to new limits.

4. The Old Man of Stoer is a landmark in Scotland with a rich history. It is one of the three main sea stacks of Scotland! And it is the easiest climbing of the three stacks as well as being perhaps the most adventurous overall with the Tyrollean and free hanging abseil as well. 

5. Sense of accomplishment: Climbing the Old Man of Stoer is not an easy feat, but it is achievable. When you reach the summit, you will feel a great sense of accomplishment and pride in yourself. It’s an experience that you’ll never forget.

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 climb up The Old Man Of Stoer:

• 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)
• Swim short and a towel.
• Climbing Shoes.
• Any personal climbing kit like harnesses & helmets if you prefer to use your own.

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 for your guided climb up The Old Man Of Stoer.

• All instruction.
• Helmets
• Ropes
• Harness
• Helmets
• All Technical Climbing Gear
• All first aid and safety equipment.
• Dry bags to get kit across securely.
• 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.