Marilyn · Outer Hebrides
Stac Lee
Stac Lee in the NA 142 grid square is the second-tallest sea stack in Britain at 172m and one of the most extraordinary objects in the St Kilda archipelago. Its white-streaked vertical walls host the world's largest northern gannet colony.
Quick facts
- Height
- 172.2m/ 565ft
- Prominence
- 172 m
- Grid ref
- NA 14222 04911
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
Height and prominence cross-checked against the Database of British and Irish Hills (CC BY).
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Standard route
bare rock 85% · seabird ledges 15%
A serious cliff climb only — the lone landing ledge faces north and requires a calm sea with no swell. Roped ascent of slimy gabbro and grass leads to a tiny grassy summit. A full-day commitment from a charter boat.
Terrain
Vertical guano-streaked gabbro plastered with sea pinks and tussock grass. Holds are damp and unreliable, gear placements are sparse, and the entire stack vibrates with the noise of seabirds.
In winter
Strictly a summer objective and even then climbed perhaps a couple of times each decade. Atlantic swells make safe landing impossible from October through March.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow12h 11m
- Edinburgh15h 38m
Ferry access
Private charter from Leverburgh (Harris) or Oban
- Crossing time180 min
- Summer sailingsNo regular service — chartered day trips and stays May–Sep only, weather dependent
- Winter sailingsNo access in winter
- Book ahead90 days
St Kilda is 64km west of the Outer Hebrides — one of the most remote places in Britain. Access by private charter boat (weather permitting) or NTS-arranged visits. Camping and bothy accommodation available; no day trips possible.
OS maps: OS Landranger 18, OS Explorer 460W
Mobile signal: None. St Kilda sea stack; no mobile infrastructure. Charter boat and sat phone only.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:23
- Sunset
- 21:58
- Civil dawn
- 04:29
- Civil dusk
- 22:52
NOAA Solar Calculator · 30 July 2026
Stac Lee — common questions
- What difficulty is Stac Lee?
- On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Stac Lee comes in at 1/5 — easy. Ground conditions: Vertical guano-streaked gabbro plastered with sea pinks and tussock grass.
- How much drop does Stac Lee have?
- Stac Lee's prominence is its full height — 172m — because it is the highest point of its landmass, with no higher ground connected to it. Passing the 150m-drop threshold on all sides is exactly what makes it a Marilyn.
- What's the best month to climb Stac Lee?
- Aim for March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October on Stac Lee. In the remaining months treat it as a winter hill — full kit, solid navigation, and a look at the relevant SAIS avalanche forecast before you go.
- Can dogs go up Stac Lee?
- Dogs are fine on a lead. The route passes livestock or ground-nesting bird habitat, so keep them close throughout.
- Will I get phone signal on Stac Lee?
- None. St Kilda sea stack; no mobile infrastructure. Charter boat and sat phone only.
- How do I get the ferry to Stac Lee?
- Private charter from Leverburgh (Harris) or Oban. No regular service — chartered day trips and stays May–Sep only, weather dependent in summer; No access in winter in winter. Book at least 90 days ahead. St Kilda is 64km west of the Outer Hebrides — one of the most remote places in Britain. Access by private charter boat (weather permitting) or NTS-arranged visits. Camping and bothy accommodation available; no day trips possible.
- Is Stac Lee safe in winter?
- Strictly a summer objective and even then climbed perhaps a couple of times each decade. Atlantic swells make safe landing impossible from October through March.
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