Old Man of Stoer

The stack is composed of Stoer Group sandstone, and is high. Access is normally from the Stoer Head Lighthouse, which is within walking distance of the stack. The seas around the Old Man of Stoer have claimed a number of vessels. There is believed to be the wreck of a fishing boat in the vicinity of the stack, which sank on 17 February 1953. ==Climbing==

The Old Man of Stoer is popular with climbers due to its height and approachability. It was first climbed in 1966 by Brian Henderson, Paul Nunn, Tom Patey, and Brian Robertson. Along with Am Buachaille and the Old Man of Hoy, it has become something of a legend among climbers. In September 2024 Jim Miller, Alan Thurlow along with Aden Thurlow 11 years old, who lead climbed the route to the top, became the youngest person to lead the climb on “The Old Man of Stoer”. To gain access to the foot of the stack, a Tyrolean traverse is necessary, which may require a swimmer to put it in place. There are a number of routes of varying levels of difficulty. ==Wildlife==

Northern fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis) inhabit the stack and nearby sea cliffs. Other wildlife in the area includes the great skua (also known by its Norse name "bonxie") peregrines, pinnipeds and cetaceans. Seabirds which can be seen include bonxies, guillemots, fulmars, razorbills and other birds including twite, skylarks, and dunlin. ==In Media/Television==

• The 2010 TV series Men of Rock produced by the BBC about pioneering geologists working in Scotland. It is presented by Professor Iain Stewart. ==See also==