The Arrochar Alps are probably best known for their Corbett, The Cobbler (also known as Ben Arthur or Beinn Artair), which I’d walked up with Gary a few years previously. This time I was there to do its two neighbouring Munros.
The most direct route up Beinn Narnain involves a scramble, and I’d heard mixed reports about it. With Nala in mind, I decided to play it safe and avoided the scramble altogether, instead contouring around Beinn Narnain and doing an out-and-back from the bealach between it and Beinn Ime. The scramble probably would have been fine for her, but I thought it was best to be on the safe side.

The views from the summit of Beinn Narnain are absolutely stunning and it has a very lovely trig point too (I do love my trigs!). From the top, the panorama stretches across Ben Lomond, Loch Lomond and Loch Long, with the beautiful Luss Hills sitting in between. I remember walking the Glen Striddle Horseshoe in the Luss Hills several years ago and looking across towards the Arrochar Alps, so it felt rather special to be standing here now, looking back the other way.
Beinn Ime was my second target of the day. At 1,011m (3,316ft), it’s the highest peak in the Arrochar Alps and has a fine summit with full 360-degree views. There was a big descent from Beinn Narnain , followed by a big reascent up to Beinn Ime, but I was making good progress and loving every step, the previous day’s walk around the Snowdon Horseshoe seemed like weeks ago!

My final summit of the day was the infamous Cobbler, which I hadn’t originally planned to do today. Despite not having Munro status, it’s easily the most popular and well-known peak in the range. Its profile is very ‘alp-esque’ and I imagine the name ‘Arrochar Alps’ originated from this peak. The car park here is quite pricey and payable by the hour, and I’d only paid for six hours, having initially planned to do just the two Munros. When I got down from Beinn Ime, I checked the time and debated whether it was worth the risk getting a ticket. It was tight, but I decided to go for it.

I scooted up (or rather huffed and puffed my way up, it’s very steep!) and it was an absolute joy to be back up there. To my surprise, Nala and I had the summit entirely to ourselves. I didn’t go for the true summit, which involves an exposed scramble known as ‘threading the needle’ which isn’t for me, but I’ve watched others do it and it must be an incredible feeling for those brave enough. The route down took a little longer than I remembered and time was getting on. I ended up running the last section of the walk, worried about getting a parking ticket and arrived back at the van bang on the time my ticket ran out!

After the walk, I drove to Inveruglas on the shores of Loch Lomond, where campers are permitted to park overnight in a lovely wooded area by the loch. I had the place completely to myself and sat in the van with the door open, looking out over Loch Lomond, enjoying a delicious wild boar sausage roll I’d picked up from Tebay Services the day before. Absolute bliss.

The next morning, I could see there was the chance of rain in the forecast so I drove to the Green Welly shop in Tyndrum to buy a poncho just in case as I’d managed to forget my waterproofs (duh). I resisted the temptation to buy a £240 Montane jacket that I absolutely didn’t need (and definitely couldn’t afford). I popped into the Snack Stop to buy a macaroni pie for lunch on the hill (if you’ve not had one you must, they’re absolutely lush!) and a bakewell slice and then headed for Crianlarich from where I’d be starting my walk. There is a large layby there which is a great spot to park for several of the munros above Crianlarich – it’s also a great overnight park up as it’s separate from the main road.

The day began cloudy and the forecast was set to improve. Instead, the cloud dropped lower and eventually I was walking fully in the clag. The ascent to the ridge leading to Cruach Àrdrain was steep, followed by a lovely undulating ridge and then a very, very steep climb up to the summit itself. At one point I had to stop, feeling completely drained of energy. I stopped to eat a banana and soon felt better and with renewed energy I carried on up.
As I approached the path which led to the left towards the summit, it was still shrouded in cloud, so I decided to bypass it and continue on to the second Munro, hoping the cloud might lift by the time I returned, as this was an out-and-back route. As I descended to the bealach between the 2 munros, the cloud had lifted enough for me to see the shapely summit of Beinn Tulaichean ahead and it was a delightful walk to it and surprisingly leisurely. Its summit remained clear and I got some great views.

On the return towards Cruach Àrdrain, the cloud teased me. Even Ben More, which is higher, was sitting clear across the valley while my summit stubbornly remained in cloud. Thankfully, it did clear just before I reached it, and I was absolutely delighted to get my views, even though it was bitterly cold up there. I found a sheltered spot to eat my Green Welly macaroni pie and gazed longingly across to the mighty Ben More ,still on my to-do list.

The walk back down the ridge from Cruach Àrdrain to Crianlarich was an absolute delight, especially after the viewless ascent earlier in the day. The ridge undulates beautifully and is dotted with little lochans, a real pleasure to walk. I enjoyed every step. Back at the van a Bakewell slice from the Green Welly was waiting for me and absolutely delicious it was too! I remained parked here for the rest of the day and overnight overlooking the mountains I’d climbed that day.


The next day it was time to begin the drive back home to Wales, but I managed to squeeze in one final hill along the way. Ben Ledi is a Corbett and the highest mountain in the main part of the Trossachs. It’s a familiar peak when passing through Callander, and I’d looked up at it on previous visits to Scotland, so it was a real treat to finally stand on its summit and take in the views. The day agaiin, started cloudy and I didn't think I was going to get any views but as I approached the summit itself the clouds cleared - result!

At the top stands a beautiful memorial cross, erected in memory of Sergeant Harry Lawrie, who was killed while on duty with Killin Mountain Rescue in a tragic helicopter crash in 1987 on nearby Ben More. It remains one of the most heartbreaking tragedies to have affected mountain rescue in Scotland. The helicopter, attempting to land, struck the mountainside and slid down towards the rescue team who were already on the hill.
Below the cross, a plaque bears the words I LOVE THE HILLS , a phrase Sgt Lawrie spoke at the end of an interview on Scottish television in the mid-1980s. Each year, on the anniversary of the fatal crash, a small group of family and friends make the journey up to the summit to remember him.

I always pause for a quiet moment when I come across places like this.


And so into my mental filing cabinet I now store the memory of 4 more precious days on the hills. I carry these memories with gratitude.

One day when my legs can no longer carry me to the high places I will close my eyes and come here again.

I'll feel the sun on my face, the wind in my hair, recall the sounds of nature and remember the feeling that only mountains can give.