Ben Stack, Sutherland - a Proper Mountain

Robert Wine

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Ben Stack is a real toy-town mountain. From whichever direction you look at it, it has a pointy top, just like a kid's drawing of a hill. Access is easy from various directions and navigation is simple. Even the telecoms mast on the top doesn't spoil it, it adds to the 'let's pretendness' of Ben Stack. From the short summit ridge you'll see NW towards birdlife-famous Handa Island; way out towards Cape Wrath; round past Arkle and Foinaven to Bens Hope and Loyal in the distance; towards Ben More Assynt to the south and Quinag and the Coigach hills to the SW; and west to Lewis and the Western Isles. Ben Stack is a quick half-day walk giving sensational views of NW Scotland's finest; add it to Walk 6205, Ben Hee a few miles further SE along the A838 for another quickie.

The walk starts at Achfary. On the wall of the estate office is a memorial reading: 'This tablet is erected to the memory of Hugh Lupus Grosvenor First Duke of Westminster KG PC who died 22 Dec 1899 aged 71.
'By the people of Edderachillis and its vicinity including his Grace's foresters and servants to express their deep respect and regard for his character as a philanthropist at home and abroad, and for the courtesy and generosity exercised by him among them during his tenancy for about fifty years of the forests of Stack, Badnabay, Reay, Gobernuisgach, Ben Hee, Corrie Kinloch, and Glendhu with the angling attached.
'He built lodges and dwellings, erected fences, made roads and paths to and through these forests thus giving employment to tradesmen and labourers and adding to the comfort of many.'
Fancy writing one for your boss?

Scotland - Highlands and Islands - Highland - Sutherland