the stack is high and was first climbed in 1968 by the mountaineers tom patey, ian clough and john cleare. at least four climbing routes are identified on am buachaille which is considered a "famous" sea stack climb and has been called the "most serious of 'the big three' scottish stacks" and a "truly great stack". the easiest route is graded hard very severe (hvs) and access to the stack involves a swim at low tide.