Ship Boulder

The Ship Boulder or Bog Boulder is located in the Celtic Jumble at the head of Loch Torridon. It is one of the finest lumps of sandstone you’ll come across in Scotland. Check out the Stone Country book for the many other problems.

Top Tip: After heavy rain some of the landings can be a wee bit wet. Bring wellies and a groundsheet to keep your mat dry.

Approach

OS Sheet 25 908 557

Approach: 3 minutes.

Park at the information centre at the head of Loch Torridon and walk a short distance east along the A896, then follow the boggy path along the edge of the plantation to reach the Celtic Jumble boulders. The Ship floats in the foreground 100m to the east. You can’t miss it.

Problems

1. Squelch V4/5 ***
The left hand of the two soaring arêtes. Butch moves to an anxious slopey top-out. A detour onto the left wall just below the top is less butch, but more technical.

Var. V5 SS The sitting start adds some good moves on slopers and heel hooks, but you might want to wear waterproof trousers!

2. Malcolm Smith’s Arête V7 ***
The dream line that is the right hand arête, has a giant final move from a big sloper.

Var. V8 SS The full line.

3. The Mission V8 ***
The amazing rippled south face. Stretchy, crimpy and tenuous moves lead directly to a tiny groove on the right side of the wall. The wall to the left looks possibly impossible.

4. The Dandy Don’s Arête V3 **
Another excellent arête that is thankfully only vertical. Go a little right at the top.

5. The Bogmen V2/3 *
A slightly easier line up the wall right of the arête.

6. Nedi V0+ *
Starting on the north face follow a short crack line diagonally leftwards to join the descent route.

7. North Face Direct V1 ***
Steady moves on reasonable holds up the dark side of the boulder.

8. Swamp Monster V4 **
The blunt arête has some tricky moves on slopers.

Var. V5 SS The obvious sitting start

9. Indentation V1 **
The scooped face above the boulders, finishing leftwards along a diagonal break.