Bob Clay mountains


You don't conquer mountains. They were there for millions of years before you existed, and they will be there for millions of years after you are gone. When you get to the top of one, you are merely paying your respects to it.


This is Suilven. Probably my most favourite mountain of all. Situated about 5 miles inland from the village of Lochinver on the northwest coast of Scotland. At 731 metres (2398 feet) it isn't particularly high; but this is a very old mountain. Worn down by hundreds of millions of years. It's a good days trek from Lochinver inland to a gruelling climb up a steep path to gain the summit, and then back to the sea.
Stac Pollaidh
A neighbouring hill to Suilven is the wonderfully named Stac Pollaidh. At 612 metres (2008 feet) this is another very old shattered mountain. The summit is a strange landscape of jagged rocks and shards.

This panoramic view from the south shows Suilven (on the left, looks much different when viewed from the side), Cul More, Stac Pollaidh (again, looks much different from this angle), Cul Beag and Ben Mor Coigach. The mountains of the Assynt in all their ancient glory.