The Old Man of Stoer

D.B. Grant

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In West Sutherland, near Lochinver, is one of the most scenic walks in the country. All on open moorland, the cliff scenery and more distant views are always changing. Standing near the Point of Stoer you look west across the Minch to Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, north along the rugged coastline nearly to Cape Wrath, while to the east and south the majestic ancient guardians of Sutherland against marauding Norsemen stand in an impressive line: Foinaven, Arkle, Quinag, Canisp, Suilven, Cul Mor, Cul Beag and Ben Mor Coigach; breathtaking.

The paths are on short grass; in one or two hollows they can be boggy, so there is a choice of footwear. Seabirds abound and whales (minke, pilot and orca), dolphins (bottlenose, common and white-beaked) and common porpoises may be seen. An information board at the car park is a guide to recognition. This is a spectacular family walk (near the 200ft cliffs children should be tended...) The lighthouse, dating from 1870, is now automatic and the keeper's house is available for holiday letting.

Scotland - Highlands and Islands - Highland - Sutherland

Features

Birds, Flowers, Good for Kids, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Moor, Sea, Wildlife
9/5/2015 - Ian Runcie

Great walk and great views. A lot of rain had fallen recently and the signpost at the start led straight into a mire. It proved better to start off left of the signpost to parallel the wall for 20 meters or so and this path will get you to the cliff top with relatively dry feet.