The Cobbler

Ben Arthur (affectionately known as The Cobbler) is situated above Loch Long. Only an hours drive from Glasgow the mountain is as popular as it is accessible and twice as interesting. At <>m The Cobbler is classified as a Corbett but with it's dramatic North & South peaks it resembles a large set of fangs from a monster's mouth and this, as much as anything else, make the mountain a favourite.

The mountain is often "overlooked" by "Munro-Baggers" simply because it isn't a Munro... it's right next to Ben Narnain (which is) so they usually see the summits of The Cobbler as they climb the rather boring Ben Narnain which does, I admit, abound in good views!

Navigation

Route-finding on the mountain is easy. There is a huge path. It's a good path, too, apart from the initial climb out of the forest at the road (which is steep, stepped and badly eroded). There are lots of features which you can identify even in wniter: the "Narnain Boulders" are enormous and are next to the path... There's also a handy stream you can follow if needed...

MAP: you should take either the OS Landranger Sheet <> (1:50000) or Pathfinder <> (1:25000) and a compass.

Going Up

There are several ways to ascend. The most popular starts from the car-park at the forest walk (<>). Follow the path through the trees and straight up the hillside. Continue straight up when you reach the landrover track. Turn left and follow the path round past the weir/dam for your first view of the summit since you left the lochside. Continue along the path to the top via the Narnain Boulders (named on the map).

An alternative ascent follows goes left along the landrover track once you reach it. It's more-or-less a road and should pass a mobile phone transmitter after a shotr distance. The track then descends slightly for a bit and there should be a path leading off to the right up the mountain... follow this until you rejoin the main path.

The main path takes you to the centre of the summit of the mountain. The North Peak is easily climbed and there is also the "eye of the needle" which (if you're brave?) you can climb through. The South Peak requries a little more scrambling skill but can also be visited.

Going Down

This is basically the opposite of going up... For anyone wishing an alternative you can ascend to the North Peak and descend behind it before rejoining the main path further down. his also gives you a second opportunity to discover the areas of peat bog which exist beneath every mountain in Scotland!

Getting There

From Edinburgh

Go to Glasgow and follow directions from there.

From Glasgow

• Head out of Glasgow towards Dumbarton (Gt Western Road)
• Head for Loch Lomond (signposts for Crianlarich)
• At the end of Loch Lomond there's a junction with a nice hotel. You would take a right to go to Crianlarich... if you continue along the road Arrochar is just around the corner.

There are no access restrictions.

Amenities

Arrochar is a small "Tourist town" which also happens to be home to a Navy Submarine Base. There's everything you need. Fuel, Pub, Car-park, small shops. Take the time to visit the village on the near side of the bank before driving around the Loch to the car-park - there are some smashing views from the pier.