Stack

Shetlopedia - The Shetland Encyclopaedia

A Stack (from Gaelic: stac = a rock pillar) is a pillar-like eroded remnant of a coastal cliff. Stacks may develop from arches when the keystone of the former arch collapses but can develop from direct erosion of a headland or a cliff as well.

Stacks are very delicate structures; when developing their shape can change very quickly. Once isolated from the cliff face they can be more stable than the cliff face itself. A stack remnant is also called stump.

Some of Shetland's finest stacks are off the north west coast of Papa Stour.

The most photgraphed stack of all the stacks around Shetland is Moo Stack off the westcoast of Eshaness.