📌 Arrochar Alps, Argyll & Bute
★★★★
The Cobbler is the perfect example of why hills aren’t all about height. Dwarfed in size by its Arrochar Alps neighbours, the fabulously contorted profile of the region’s most famous peak gained its name due to its resemblance to a cobbler bending over his last (a foot-shaped tool). Approach paths are excellent, but gaining the true summit involves “threading the needle”: a rocky tower with serious exposure and serious potential consequences, even if the scrambling involved isn’t technically difficult. Depending on your scrambling experience, head for heights and weather conditions it could be a doddle or a nightmare – and remember, you have to get back down afterwards. Lots of walkers are sensibly content with the views of Beinn Narnain & Beinn Ime, Ben Lomond, Loch Long and the swathes of northern hills from the base of the block, which are fortunately just as good as those from the top. Overall, a classic hill walk, and within an hour’s drive of Glasgow!
📷 Chronological photo guide
Loch Long from the zig-zag start 
Bench with a view over Arrochar 
Reservoir at the top of the zig-zags 
Looking back down the Allt a’ Bhalachain 
Narnain Boulders 
The Cobbler – the true summit is actually the lower-looking middle peak 
Steep & rocky ascent 
East coire of The Cobbler 
Looking back over the approach, Ben Lomond on the horizon 
Walker threading the summit needle (ascent is on the right hand side – the hole is hidden from view) 
Summit view over The Brack & Loch Long 
North Peak on descent from the main summit 
North Peak – lower, but worth the detour 
View from the North Peak, with the main summit’s “needle” visible on the far right 
Ben Lomond from the North Peak 
Beinn Narnain, with the descent route beneath 
Descending from The Cobbler 
Return down the glen
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish on A83, south end of Succoth
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NN 295049
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 56.205912,-4.750745
🚌 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
▶ 12 km / 7 mi | ▲ 920 m | ⌛ 4.5-5 hr
Features: 💧 Loch Long; 🧗 Narnain Boulders; △ The Cobbler / Ben Arthur (884 m, Corbett)
⬤ Tough (excluding needle) | Excellent path to Narnain Boulders (steep for zig-zags) & for descent. Ascent from the boulders is steep & rough in places, with hands needed if you don’t find the easiest line up rocky sections. Threading the needle (⬤ Very tough) involves a short, slightly awkward scramble (very exposed & sloping outwards) – which is more difficult with wet rock & trickier on descent.
Download file for GPS➡️ Clockwise lollipop circuit: start – Narnain Boulders – The Cobbler (summit & needle) by direct east path – North Peak – Lochan a’ Chlaidheimh – Narnain Boulders – start by outward route
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Not much, though lots of ripe raspberries (and unripe blackberries) on zig-zags.
Weather: Mostly sunny, though clouding over on descent. Wind generally fairly light.
July 2018
