| Stac Pollaidh | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 612 m (2,008 ft) |
| Prominence | c. 438 m |
| Listing | Graham, Marilyn |
| Naming | |
| English translation | The pinnacle of the pool river (Stakkr Pollå) |
| Language of name | Norse through Scottish Gaelic |
| Pronunciation | /ˌstæk ˈpɒleɪ/ |
| Geography | |
 | |
| Location | Inverpolly, Scotland |
| OS grid | NC107106 |
| Topo map | Ordnance Survey Landranger 15 |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Scramble |
Stac Pollaidh (Scottish Gaelic pronunciation: [ˈs̪t̪ʰaʰkˈpʰɔɫ̪eɪ]) is a mountain in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland. The peak displays a rocky crest of Torridonian sandstone, with many pinnacles and steep gullies. The ridge was exposed to weathering as a nunatak above the ice sheet during the last Ice Age, while the ice flow carved and scoured the smooth sides of the mountain.[1]
The modern Gaelic name is a recent invention. The peak is named on the first edition Ordnance Survey maps simply as "An Stac" (the pinnacle) and on later maps as "Stac Polly". The "Polly" element is of Norse origin, derived from "Pollå" meaning "pool river".[2] Due to its relatively low height of just over 2,000 feet (610 metres), fine views and ease of access from a road it has become a very popular peak to climb. It also provides some fine scrambling in the traverse of the summit ridge, including one bad step near the final summit. Consequentially it has suffered from a great deal of erosion, leading to Scottish Natural Heritage constructing a large path.
- ^ Butler, Rob. "An Essay on the Geology of NW Scotland" (PDF). Leeds University. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
- ^ "Place Names". Place Names of Assynt. North West Highlands Geopark. Retrieved 29 December 2023.