Cantick Head Lighthouse

2008 ~ 150th Anniversary of the Light ~ 1858

Rising out of the Atlantic Ocean to a height of 450 feet (137m), The Old Man of Hoy is the UK's tallest sea stack. Separated from land by the erosive powers of sea and wind the stack was originally an arch with two "legs", hence its name, however a severe storm literally washed away one of the legs leaving the single pillar. There is already a large crack running down from the top of the stack and many Geologists believe that one day the Old Man will collapse into the sea.

Rackwick is the usual starting point for a 3 mile walk to the cliffs overlooking The Old Man of Hoy. The stack is a challenging climb and was first ascended by Chris Bonnington & Co during a televised broadcast in 1966; UKClimbing.com offer several routes to the Old Man together with a stack climbing guide to the Orkney Islands.