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I was surpised to read that the Old Man of Hoy is probably less than 400 years old, and shocked to learn that it might collapse in the near future. I would be really sad to see such a well known and beloved sea stack disappear forever! :( I grew up with a view of the Old Man and the Island of Hoy in the background, as did quite a number of Orgers. Here's a link to the Wikipedia article I was reading:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Man_of_Hoy (http://forum.caithness.org/go.php?url=http://forum.caithness.org/go.php?url=http://forum.caithness.org/go.php?url=http://forum.caithness.org/go.php?url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Man_of_Hoy)
Within the article, there's a link to a painting or sketch by William Daniel. This shows how the Old Man looked in the early 1800s.
.......the Old Man of Hoy was my friend when I was a boy........
Another classic from Gleber2
percy toboggan
22-Apr-08, 19:12
I rememebr a big fuss in our house in the sixties when two climbers scaled it live on black and white telly. My mother was fascinated, for some reason that escaped me at the time...I was young and daft.
Long may the old man stay upright!....there's a motto I might well adopt for meself!
(when I'm old)
the second coming
22-Apr-08, 20:59
climbed it in 2005, it had a pretty solid feel to it then.
interestingly, have you seen the drawings of the old archway thay used to lead to it which is now the rubble and boulders at its feet. I've got copies of the drawings of it somewhere in the loft.
and also interestingly its not a proper sea stack...
personally I think if it falls down its the fault of the wind turbines stealing all the wind in whatever dirction it falls down in. down with wind turbines, up with old men...
the_count
22-Apr-08, 21:09
yeah i seem to recall seeing a drawing of it when the arch was there somewhere in my library of books when i was a kid. Looks much better as it is i think although with natural erosion it will eventually cease to be which will be a great shame
I was surpised to read that the Old Man of Hoy is probably less than 400 years old, and shocked to learn that it might collapse in the near future.
That can't be right!!!
I thought the Old Man was eternal.
Well, if he's going, I'm going too.
northener
22-Apr-08, 22:00
climbed it in 2005, it had a pretty solid feel to it then.
interestingly, have you seen the drawings of the old archway thay used to lead to it which is now the rubble and boulders at its feet. I've got copies of the drawings of it somewhere in the loft.
and also interestingly its not a proper sea stack...
personally I think if it falls down its the fault of the wind turbines stealing all the wind in whatever dirction it falls down in. down with wind turbines, up with old men...
Now that is interesting, why do you say it's not a proper sea stack?
.
the second coming
22-Apr-08, 22:13
it's still joined to the land, ie you can walk to it.
it needs to be surrounded by sea to be a sea stack, apparently. not really spliting hairs myself, only going by what the climbing guide book told me
The Old Man of Wick
Was a very old man
When the Old Man of Hoy
Was a Boy
It makes a lot more sense now.
JamesMcVean
22-Apr-08, 23:11
I have stood on the cliffs next to the "Old Man"
It is awe inspiring...:cool:
I am surprised to read the estimated age though:confused
I worked in Flotta with a guy (Hamish) who climbed it a couple of times 30 yrs ago
Apparently there is a book in the Old School house that everyone who has climbed writes a wee passage...a climbers guest book...
If you have never been, then Rackwick in Hoy is/used to be a Brilliant place for a "Get away from it all" type holiday....
Spent many a summer holiday there...
The good ole days
I wouldn't be too disapointed - there are a good few sea stacks being fashioned by the sea along the Caithness and Orcadian coastline - just have to wait 400 years or more!!!!!!
climbed it in 2005, it had a pretty solid feel to it then.
interestingly, have you seen the drawings of the old archway thay used to lead to it which is now the rubble and boulders at its feet. I've got copies of the drawings of it somewhere in the loft.
and also interestingly its not a proper sea stack...
How long did it take you to climb it, tsc, and do you have any photos taken then that you'd like to share with us?
Do any of your drawings include this (http://forum.caithness.org/go.php?url=http://forum.caithness.org/go.php?url=http://forum.caithness.org/go.php?url=http://forum.caithness.org/go.php?url=http://forum.caithness.org/go.php?url=http://search.famsf.org:8080/view.shtml?record=13900&=list&=1&=&=And) one by William Daniell? It was drawn in 1817, and the archway can clearly be seen, especially if you zoom in. Compare it with this (http://forum.caithness.org/go.php?url=http://forum.caithness.org/go.php?url=http://forum.caithness.org/go.php?url=http://forum.caithness.org/go.php?url=http://forum.caithness.org/go.php?url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Old_man_of_hoy2.jpg) modern day photo of the Old Man. The two images appear to have been taken fom the same spot.
it's still joined to the land, ie you can walk to it.
it needs to be surrounded by sea to be a sea stack, apparently. not really spliting hairs myself, only going by what the climbing guide book told me
Am I correct in saying that Clett Rock (just off of Holborn Head) is a proper sea stack, then?
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