Old Man of Hoy, Orkney Islands, Scotland, is one of the most prominent of Scotland’s sea stack and is often the reason most enthusiastic climbers visit the Orkney Islands of Scotland. The Old Man of Hoy is actually a separate island off of the Orkney mainland whose climbing history has been introduced to the public by various TV shows and publications.
Old Man of Hoy, Orkney Islands, Scotland, is easily accessible via ferries that ran from Houton to Lyness. For those climbers approaching on foot, there are passenger ferries that ran from Stromness to the northern part of Hoy and then a walk to the Rackwick Bay through the glens that lie between the Ward Hill and Cuilags. The area has various camping facilities for climbers such as wild camping facilities in Rackwick Bay and free camping facilities at Burnside Bothy.
The Old Man of Hoy sea stack can be accessed via a well-worn path that climbs out of the northern slopes of Rackwick Bay to a view point on the cliffs that overlook the Old Man of Hoy, Orkney Islands. Climbers may ascend the Old Man of Hoy via 7 routes, with the most prominent being the route on the eastern face of the sea stack which is also a safe and easy descent route. However, the original south face route is an adventurous alternative for the more enthusiastic climbers. Climbers are cautioned that the steep paths are dangerous in rainy conditions.