Old Man of Stoer from Stoer Lighthouse
Highlands
The Old Man of Stoer is a slender sea stack, 70 metres high, standing off the tip of the Stoer peninsula north of Lochinver in Assynt. Sheep graze the peninsula and the cliffs are unfenced, so this is mostly a lead walk for a fit dog. This 7km circuit starts at the car park just short of Stoer Head lighthouse and follows a signed grassy path north along the clifftops. The going is rough and wet, fading to a sheep track, with a deep gully to detour around, before the highest section of cliff leads to a grassy shelf directly above the stack. You can continue to the Point of Stoer, then return over the summit of Sithean Mor, the Big Fairy Hill, whose trig point looks across to Quinag, Suilven, Cul Mor and Stac Pollaidh, and on clear days to Skye and Lewis. A track past the remains of a Second World War radar station leads back down to the start. There is 360 metres of climbing, and walkhighlands rates this the best walk in Assynt for spotting whales and dolphins.
This is a dog friendly walk for fit dogs that are happy on rough, boggy ground, but it needs care. The route runs along the top of high, unfenced cliffs, and sheep graze the peninsula, so most dogs will spend much of the walk on a lead, especially near the edge above the stack. There is little shade and no reliable water, so carry plenty for your dog. There are no facilities at the car park.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 7.0 km (4.3 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 3 hr
- Walk Type
- Coastal, Moorland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Low
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- None on route or at the car park; shops, cafes and pubs in Lochinver.
- Parking
- Parking area with interpretation boards just before the final climb to Stoer Head lighthouse; no charge mentioned by walkhighlands.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Old Man of Stoer from Stoer Lighthouse, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in HighlandsFrequently Asked Questions
Is Old Man of Stoer from Stoer Lighthouse dog friendly?
This 7km clifftop circuit is dog friendly, but it suits fit, confident dogs rather than every pet. The terrain is rough and boggy, the cliffs are high and unfenced, and sheep graze the peninsula throughout, so it earns a 7/10 on our dog friendly rating. If your dog is happy on challenging ground and reliable around livestock, it's a genuinely special outing.
Can dogs be off lead at Old Man of Stoer from Stoer Lighthouse?
Most dogs will spend the majority of this walk on a lead. The route runs along the top of high, unfenced cliffs, and sheep are present across the whole peninsula, both of which make off-lead walking risky for all but the most obedient dogs in the right conditions. Even then, the section directly above the Old Man of Stoer stack calls for extra caution.
What should I know before visiting Old Man of Stoer from Stoer Lighthouse with my dog?
There is no water on the route and little shade, so carry plenty of drinking water for your dog. The car park has no facilities, and there are no amenities until you reach Lochinver, where you'll find shops, cafes and pubs. With 360 metres of climbing over rough, boggy ground, this is one to save for a fit dog on a good day.
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Stoer Lighthouse Car Park, Stoerhead Lighthouse Road, Raffin, Lochinver IV27 4JH
58.2382, -5.4010
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