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The Cobbler ( Ben Arthur )
The High Mountains of Britain & Ireland Arrochar Alps - Map


Photographs of The Cobbler ( Ben Arthur )

 in the "Arrochar Alps" of Argylleshire

 in the West of Scotland

On The Needle of the Cobbler ( Ben Arthur ) above Loch Long

On The Needle

 of the Cobbler ( Ben Arthur )

 above Loch Long

 


On The Needle of the Cobbler ( Ben Arthur ) above Loch Long

On The Needle

 of the Cobbler ( Ben Arthur )

 above Loch Long




Summit of Ben Arthur - the Cobbler - in the Southern Highlands of Scotland

Summit of Ben Arthur

- the Cobbler



Summit of Ben Arthur - the Cobbler - in the Southern Highlands of Scotland

Summit of Ben Arthur

- the Cobbler





Summit of Ben Arthur - the Cobbler - in the Southern Highlands of Scotland

Summit of Ben Arthur

- the Cobbler




Summit of Ben Arthur - the Cobbler - in the Southern Highlands of Scotland

Summit of Ben Arthur

- the Cobbler





Summit of Ben Arthur - the Cobbler - in the Southern Highlands of Scotland

Summit of Ben Arthur

- the Cobbler





Summit of Ben Arthur - the Cobbler - in the Southern Highlands of Scotland

Summit of Ben Arthur

- the Cobbler




Summit of Ben Arthur - the Cobbler - in the Southern Highlands of Scotland

Summit of Ben Arthur

- the Cobbler




Summit of Ben Arthur - the Cobbler - in the Southern Highlands of Scotland

Summit of Ben Arthur

- the Cobbler




Cobbler from Beinn an Lochain

Cobbler

from Beinn an Lochain




Summit of Ben Arthur - the Cobbler - in the Southern Highlands of Scotland

Summit of Ben Arthur

- the Cobbler




Summit of Ben Arthur - the Cobbler - in the Southern Highlands of Scotland

Summit of Ben Arthur

- the Cobbler




Summit of Ben Arthur - the Cobbler - in the Southern Highlands of Scotland

Summit of Ben Arthur

- the Cobbler




Ben Lomond from Ben Arthur - the Cobbler - in the Southern Highlands of Scotland

Ben Lomond

from  Ben Arthur - the Cobbler




Ben Lomond from Ben Arthur - the Cobbler - in the Southern Highlands of Scotland

Ben Lomond

from  Ben Arthur - the Cobbler




Ben Lomond from Ben Arthur - the Cobbler - in the Southern Highlands of Scotland

Ben Lomond

from  Ben Arthur - the Cobbler




The Eye of the Needle of The Cobbler ( Ben Arthur ) in the Arrochar Alps

The Eye of the Needle

 of The Cobbler ( Ben Arthur )




Ben Arthur - the Cobbler - in the Southern Highlands of Scotland

Ben Arthur  - "The Cobbler"


The Cobbler ( 2899ft, 884m ) is near the head of Loch Long

in the Southern Highlands of Scotland.

The mountain is the most spectacular of the "Arrochar Alps"

with its distinctive, large rocky summit

- resembling a cobbler bending over his last.

It is one of the most popular of the Scottish Peaks

due to its ease of access and excellent summit views.




Ben Arthur - the Cobbler - in the Southern Highlands of Scotland

Ben Arthur

- the Cobbler




The Cobbler ( Ben Arthur ) from Beinn Narnain ( 3036ft, 926m - a Munro )

The Cobbler ( Ben Arthur )

 from 
Beinn Narnain



The Cobbler ( Ben Arthur ) from Beinn Narnain ( 3036ft, 926m - a Munro )

The Cobbler ( Ben Arthur )

from 
Beinn Narnain ( 3036ft, 926m - a Munro )



Ben Arthur - the Cobbler - in the Southern Highlands of Scotland

Ben Arthur

- "The Cobbler"

- a Corbett




Ben Arthur - the Cobbler - from Arrochar

Ben Arthur

- "The Cobbler"

- from Arrochar




Arrochar

Arrochar





Ben Lomond above Arrocher and Loch Long

Ben Lomond

above Arrocher and Loch Long





Map and Access Route for Ben Arthur - the Cobbler - in the Southern Highlands of Scotland

Map and Access Route

for Ben Arthur - "The Cobbler"






Route Description and Map for Ben Arthur

Route Description and Map

for Ben Arthur - "The Cobbler"



Route Description for Ben Arthur ( The Cobbler ):


Location: Argyll
Map: OS Landranger 56
Distance: 9 miles ( 15km )
Time: 57 hours
Grade: Serious mountain walk

Inventing personalities for mountains is foolish but there is little doubt that some hills do have character. A good ease in point is the Cobbler, near Arrochar, a hill often described as audacious and impertinent. Despite its relatively low height of 2,900ft/884m it's an awesome peak and even has the impudence to make us rock climb to reach its summit.
The Cobbler dominates its neighbours despite its size, but it's the outlandish profile that gives it its commonly used name — some think it resembles a cobbler working at his last. Its Sunday title is Ben Arthur but I don't know anyone who calls it that.
There are three distinct tops, the left one formed into a leaning pyramid; the Central Peak, the true summit, is a tiny exposed platform; while the North Peak is formed by an immense overhanging prow, a remarkable feature that boasts many of the mountain’s best rock-climbs.
Snow and ice on the path that runs up the hill’s eastern corrie reminded me of another reason this hill is special. This was the mountain that inspired the late WH Murray to become a mountaineer. Murray, arguably the finest of all Scottish mountain writers, had overheard a conversation between two people and was mesmerised by their discussion of a climb in Wester Ross. It had never occurred to him that here was a whole new world of which he knew nothing, a world that was close at hand. The only mountain he knew of was the Cobbler, so he went there,
in ordinary shoes and clothes. He found the mountain covered in snow but carried on, soon finding himself in icy conditions in the corrie that leads to the summit ridge. He was frightened by the ice and the exposure but continued to the top where his trepidation melted away as he gazed over a panorama of hills and mountains spread before him like a white-topped sea. In his own words, he was “hooked for life".
That experience eventually profited all of us for Bill went on to become a renowned mountaineer and writer and his books became classics.
I had climbed up from Loch Long alongside the Allt a’ Bhalachain, past the Narnain Boulders and into the corrie, where long icicles hung from the crags and spindrift blew off the summit ridge like spumes of smoke. Below the ice-encrusted prow of the North Peak I re-lived something of Murray’s trepidation. This is an awesome place of rock and ice where an eroded path climbed steeply through the snow wreaths to the summit ridge. With the hard work over I followed the icy path through the rocks and boulders to the top of the North Peak, a natural eyrie.
Ben Lomond and its loch dominates the view to the south and to the north and east Ben Ime and Beinn Narnain stand out against the jumble of mountains beyond. Across the corrie the crags of the Central Peak rose high above the dark arm of Loch Long.
For most walkers this, effectively, is the summit of the Cobbler. The Central Peak is a little higher but the route to the top isn’t too evident and involves rock climbing. From the summit ridge a window in the rock above you represents the portal to the top. You have to squeeze through this hole to find a narrow ledge that traverses off to the left. By following this around the back of the rock, you'll find a couple of easy moves take you on to the small summit platform. In winter conditions it can be particularly awkward and I was happy enough to ignore it, fighting off
the temptation to think the mountain had defeated me.



Route: Start and finish at the car park beside A83. 2km W of Arrochar ( GR: NN2B7040 ).
Cross the road and follow the path through the forest beside the Allt e‘Bhalachain to a small dam.
Cross the burn above the dam to gain the path that runs alongside the NE side of the stream past the Narnain Boulders towards the obvious col between the Cobbler and its eastern neighbour, Beinn Narnain.
Before the col bear left and cross the burn again, climbing up into the rock-strewn corrie below the overhanging prow of the North Peak.
Climb up steeply on an eroded path below the prow and on to the summit ridge. Follow the path up and over slabby rocks and boulders to the north peak.
The true summit of the mountain is on the Centrai Peak, but involves scrambling moves that can be very difficult under icy conditions.
Walkers should return to the ridge and descend by the route of ascent




Inveraray on Loch Fyne in Argylleshire in the Southern Highlands of Scotland

Inveraray across Loch Fyne in Argylleshire



Inveraray on Loch Fyne in Argylleshire in the Southern Highlands of Scotland

Inveraray on Loch Fyne in Argylleshire




Inveraray Castle on Loch Fyne in Argylleshire in the Southern Highlands of Scotland

Inveraray Castle in Argylleshire



Lochgoilhead village in Argylleshire in the Southern Highlands of Scotland

Lochgoilhead Village in Argylleshire

Lochgoilhead is in one of the most picturesque parts of the Southern Highlands.
 It lies within the Loch LomondTrossachs National Park.
The surrounding area has a mountainous, coastal and forestry landscape.
 There are two outdoor education centres in the village:-
 The Lochgoilhead National Activity Centre and
the Ardroy Outdoor Education Centre.

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Travel & Guide Books & Maps - Scotland:-


Arrochar Alps - Map Glasgow Popular Hills - Map West Highland Way - Map Loch Lomond North - Tyndrum, Crianlarich, Arrochar - OS Explorer Map Loch Lomond and Inverary OS Landranger Map

Isle of Arran OS Explorer Map Isle of Arran OS Landranger Map Arran - Official Tourist MapIona & Mull MapWestern Scotland & the Western Isles OS Road Map Northern Scotland OS Road MapSouthern Scotland OS Road Map





  

Walking the Munros - Southern, Central & Western Highlands 

The High Mountains of Britain & Ireland  Munros Tables SMC  The Munros - Scotland's Highest Mountains  Scotland - Lonely Planet  NW Highlands - SMC Guide  Exploring the Far NW of Scotland  Guide to Walks in NW Highlands

Walking in Scotland - Lonely Planet Mountain: Exploring Britain's High Places  National 3 Peaks Walk Scottish Highlands Hillwalking Guide The Scottish Islands Bouldering in Scotland

Central Highlands: Six Long Distance Walks West Highland Way: Official GuideWest Highland Way: Rucksac Readers West Highland Way: TrailblazerThe West Highland WayWest Highland Way: Footprint MapWest Highland Way - Map West Highland Way - Map 100 Hillwalks around Glasgow

Pathfinder Guide: Fort William and Glen Coe Walks Rambler's Guide: Ben Nevis and Glen CoeGlencoe Rock & Ice Climbing The Munros: Scottish Mountaineering Club The Munros and Tops The Corbetts - SMC Munros & Corbetts Chart The High Mountains of Britain and Ireland Munro Almanac

The Munros - Scotland's highest mountains Call of the Corbetts Magic of the Munros Hamish's Mountain WalkThe Munros in Winter My Scotland by Hamish MacInnes

Scottish Mountains - 50 Classic Routes50 More Routes on Scottish Mountains The High Mountains of Britain and Ireland Scotlands 100 Best Walks Scottish Mountains - 100 Best RoutesBig Walks of Great Britain Classic Walks in Britain & Ireland

Scottish Hill & Mountain Names Classic Mountain Scrambles in Scotland Classic Climbs - Central & Southern Highlands Mountaineering in Scotland and Undiscovered Scotland by W.H.MurrayMore Wilderness Walks Wilderness Walks Wilderness Walks 2 - Video Ski Mountaineering in Scotland

Ski Touring in ScotlandScrambles in Lochaber Rock Climbing in Scotland Rock Climbing SkillsThe FACE: Six Great Climbing Adventures Ben Nevis: Rock & Ice ClimbsGreat Snow & Ice Climbs of the British Isles100 Best Routes on Scottish Mountains One Man's Mountains - Tom Patey

A Mountaineer's Tale - W.H.Murray Dougal Haston: Philosophy of RiskThe Glens of Rannoch Southern Highlands - MapNorthern Highlands Central Highlands West Highlands Central Highlands SMCNW Highlands SMC

Scotland - Lonely PlanetScotland's Highlands & Islands - Lonley Planet Scotland's Highlands & Islands - Rough Guide Highlands & Islands of Scotland - Hidden Places Rough Guide Scotland Scottish Highlands & Islands - Rough Guide Rough Guide: Scotland Lonely Planet, Walking in ScotlandLonely Planet - Walking in Britain

50 Walks in the Scottish Highlands & Islands 100 Walks in ScotlandVisit Scotland - Touring Guide Scotland: Where to Stay - Hotels & Guest Houses Scotland: Where to Stay - Bed & Breakfast Hillwalker: The MunrosHillwalker: The Corbetts

Weather for Hillwakers & Climbers Mountain Weather Guide to the Weather Weather: Collins Gem Hillwalking Handbook for Mountain Leaders Hillwalkers Manual Hillwalkers Guide to Mountaineering First Aid on Mountains








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