Scotland
An Stac
718M
2355FT
About An Stac
Rising steeply above the western shores of Loch Shiel, this rugged Graham is defined by its sharp, conical profile. Its terrain is quintessential Highland rough-country, featuring a mix of craggy outcrops and pathless slopes that provide a challenging, rewarding ascent with a truly remote feel for a hill so close to Fort William.
Key Statistics
Rank
165th Highest in Region
Parent Range
The Grampians
Prominence
?
223m
Nearest Town
Fort William
Geology
You are walking on the Morar Schists. These rocks were originally ancient layers of fine mud and silt that have been transformed and hardened over time.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NM866889
Latitude
56.9420°N
Longitude
5.5098°W
Did You Know?
- •The name originates from the Gaelic 'An Stac', which translates literally as 'the stack' or 'the precipice', reflecting its distinctively steep and pointed shape.
- •The summit provides one of the best vantage points in the region for viewing the Glenfinnan Viaduct from above, offering a perspective that places the famous engineering feat against the vast scale of the Lochaber mountains.
- •Hillwalkers frequently combine this peak with its neighbour, Sgùrr nan Coireachan, following a high, undulating ridge that overlooks the dramatic 'Rough Bounds' of Knoydart to the north.
- •Unlike many popular peaks nearby, this hill retains a wild character with very few established paths, requiring walkers to navigate their own lines through a complex series of heathery terraces and rock steps.
- •It is a hill that teaches the value of a map; from the valley floor the summit looks like a simple climb, but the reality is a persistent collection of false tops and hidden boggy troughs.