📌 Arrochar Alps, Argyll & Bute
★★★★
The popular Munro of Beinn Narnain translates as the Hill of notches. Indeed, a few narrow notches help with the final steps to the craggy summit after a relentless ascent direct from Succoth at sea level. Beinn Ime is the bigger sibling and the highest point in the Arrochar Alps, translating as the Hill of butter. This perfectly describes the smooth ascent of this hill from the south, although the name actually relates to the dairy product churned here in the past. Fascinating rock architecture and excellent views of the iconic Cobbler and the rest of the Alps are ample reward for long ascents nearly adding up to the height of Ben Nevis.
📷 Chronological photo guide
Loch Long from the start 
Loch Long from the ascent 
Loch Long, Luss Hills beyond 
Rocky upper slopes 
View across to The Cobbler 
Gully below the Spearhead 
Looking back from the Spearhead 
Loch Lomond / Ben Lomond 
Loch Long and The Cobbler (right) from the summit area 
View ahead to Beinn Ime 
Ben Lomond (left) & Beinn Narnain (right) from Beinn Ime 
Lochs Lomond, Arklet & Katrine from Beinn Ime 
View back to Beinn Ime from the descent 
Return down the Allt a’ Bhalachain 
The Cobbler & Narnain Boulders 
Excellent path down the glen 
Reservoir at the top of the zig-zags 
Bench with a view over Arrochar 
Loch Long from the zig-zag descent
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish on the A83, south end of Succoth
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NN 295050
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 56.206254,-4.750428
🚌 Infrequent bus stops in Succoth village centre (0.5 mi), or better service to Arrochar at A83 / A814 junction (1 mi)
🚗 Car park (charge)
📝 Key info
▶ 14 km / 9 mi | ▲ 1330 m | ⌛ 6-7 hr
Features: 💧 Loch Long; ⛰️ Narnain Boulders; △ Beinn Narnain (926 m, Munro); △ Beinn Ime (1011 m, Munro)
⬤ Tough | Rough, steep path to Beinn Narnain may need the odd hand and is easily missed after the first hundred metres on a track. Descent to the bealach is easier; Beinn Ime reached by a soggy, faint path. Return is on an excellent path then track. There have been some recent path improvements on Beinn Narnain.
Download file for GPS➡️ Anticlockwise circuit with extension to Beinn Ime: start – Cruach nam Miseag – Beinn Narnain – Bealach a’ Mhaim – Beinn Ime – return to Bealach a’ Mhaim – Allt a’ Bhalachain – start
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Frogs, dragonflies and leeches (!) on the steep ascent.
Weather: Mostly cloudy at start, becoming sunny and warm with light winds.
July 2014
