The Cobbler (Ben Arthur)

The Cobbler is a mountain of three jagged summits above Loch Long, near Arrochar. Also called Ben Arthur, it's one of the most recognizable shapes in the Arrochar Alps: a cluster of rock towers above a bowl of rough hillside. It falls below Scotland's Munro height threshold, but this is still a substantial mountain day. Allow four to six hours for the usual 11 km walk from Succoth, with about 920 m of ascent.

Choose it for the changing views and the close-up encounter with those summit rocks. You don't have to climb onto the highest pinnacle to enjoy the mountain. That last move is a separate, exposed scramble, and deciding to leave it alone is perfectly sensible. If you only want a short roadside stop, look at the skyline from Arrochar instead of starting the ascent expecting a quick viewpoint.

The walk starts opposite the Succoth car park on the A83, just west of Arrochar. The path climbs through forest before emerging onto open hillside. As you gain height, Loch Long opens out behind you; farther up, the views extend down the loch and across toward Ben Lomond when the weather is clear.

The approach follows the burn past a small hydro dam and the huge Narnain boulders. This is a good place to pause and look ahead: the three rocky tops have become much easier to make out. Keep a boulder or a stretch of the path in your photograph to show the scale of the peaks above it, without needing to stand near an edge.

Higher up, stone steps climb toward the ridge between the summits. The ground becomes steep and rocky, and the mountain feels very different from the forest path below. Keep enough energy for the descent as well as the climb. A shorter day can end on the approach, but you still have to walk back down everything you've climbed.

The name refers to a crouching shoemaker, a shape people have seen in the summit rock. These crags also belong to the early story of Scottish climbing. Arrochar's Cobbler Club was active in the late nineteenth century, and climbers from Glasgow's shipyards and factories later came here to develop their skills.

Near the central summit is the famous hole through the rock known as the eye of the needle. Reaching the pinnacle involves passing through it onto an exposed ledge and scrambling beyond. This needs scrambling ability and a head for heights. The surrounding summit area provides plenty to look at without attempting it; don't treat the final rock as a compulsory finish or a photo platform.

Use the Succoth car park for the standard walk and take care crossing the A83 to the path. Clear weather makes a real difference to the views, while snow and ice turn the upper mountain into a different undertaking. Carry food, water, waterproofs and navigation suitable for a full hill day.

The direct descent between the peaks includes loose, rocky ground and a gully scramble. If that doesn't suit you, return by the stepped approach. There are buses to Arrochar and Succoth, but check the return journey before setting off and leave room for a slower descent.