At long last the iconic Stac Pollaidh

Hill: Stac Pollaidh
Category: Graham
Height: 612m
After my troubles on the Fannichs on Saturday, yesterday I had my little walk up Ullapool Hill, still with some discomfort. 
It looked like today was going to be the best from the weather gods so with a little apprehension I decided to test it out on something a bit more substantial.
The car park was already almost full before 9.30 but we squeezed in. The good lady was originally going to walk round the hill but decided to summit. Good on her but that will be the knees gubbed for the remaining days.

Stac Pollaidh

The path climbs uphill through shrub and young woodland, a chiffchaff singing beside us, as soon as camera appeared it disappeared. Midges attacking immediately from the carpark until the open moor.
The new path is excellent as it climbs and zigzags around our ascent, the right flank of the hill. The old path headed straight up the face of the mountain, much easier this way.
As the good lady is a touch slower I had the time to stop and enjoy the views of Sgurr Tuath, Loch Lurgainn below us, and of Cul Beag to the east, both hills look imposing.

Good track

I was walking gently but no significant discomfort so far. Two blackbird like birds took off from the heather and headed up to the crags. I had no binos but pretty sure they were ringed ouzels, if so a good rare spot.

Suilven & Assynt landscape

As mentioned the new track goes round and behind Stac Pollaidh on a good walking gradient. 

Steep but straightforward ascent

The next section climbing to the ridge is excellent but it is steep so again plenty of stops to take in the magnificent views. No hardship, not a hill to rush on a day like this. 

Cul Beag behind

Nearby Cul Mor is in view across from Cul Beag and what can you say about the views looking north including Suilven, that's braw.

Looking down on the good lady

Breathtaking views from the ridge, this is as far as the good lady was prepared to go but I took in the nearby east ridge with a short hands on scramble, where the views opened up even further. I called down to the good lady to ascend but she was not for budging. 

West ridge

After that I explored some of the west ridge, some easy and fun scrambling but the final sections are not being undertaken by me today, too old for that exposed climbing.

View north from East ridge

There is an obvious trail to follow contouring the hill to descend to the circular path without retracing your steps. The views continue with a clear sighting of the entire Western Isles.

Looking down to the start

We also spotted our one and only red deer which stared at us from a long way away, thought we might see more.
Cuckoos called from start to finish, although they would have moved about I reckoned at least three male birds.
Lots of mountain flowers and nice to see some marsh orchids in flower.
After that we headed along to the coast and had our snack at the beach of Achiltibuie where I got an excellent sighting of a velvet Scoter, this time via the binos for confirmation of my eyesight.
An excellent walk, relatively pain free, stunning views this is Scotland at its best.
PS: The village shop/petrol station in Achiltibuie has the best homemade brownies (by Lindyloual) we have ever tasted!!

Wildlife: Red deer, meadow pipit, cuckoo, raven, ringed ouzel (?), velvet scoter.

Time: 2.58
Ascent: 1657m 
Distance: 2.8m