The Cobbler [Ben Arthur]

About The Cobbler [Ben Arthur]

Rising with a distinctive, jagged silhouette above Arrochar, this iconic Corbett is defined by its triple peaks and spectacular rock architecture. While the steady zig-zag approach is straightforward, the true summit requires a famous 'threading the needle' scramble, rewarding those with a head for heights with unrivaled views over Loch Long.

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Did You Know?

• •Known formally as Beinn Artair, the mountain's common name stems from the peculiar shape of its central peak, which was thought to resemble a cobbler leaning over his bench. In the 19th century, it was frequently referred to as The Cobbler and his Wife, with the jagged north peak representing the spouse.
• •Reaching the true highest point is a famous rite of passage involving 'threading the needle'—crawling through a natural rock window on the central peak followed by a short, exposed scramble onto a narrow ledge above a significant drop.
• •The mountain is regarded as the cradle of Scottish rock climbing. In the late 19th century, climbers began exploring the massive schist crags of the South and North peaks, establishing routes that remain classics of the sport today.
• •From the summit, the view south looks directly down the length of Loch Long toward the Firth of Clyde, while the massive bulk of Ben Lomond dominates the eastern skyline across the water of Loch Lomond.
• •The Cobbler is arguably the most popular Corbett in Scotland, often climbed in a circuit with its taller neighbours, Beinn Narnain and Beinn Ime, which are easily accessed from the same high pass at the Bealach a' Mhaim.
• •It is a common sight to see dozens of hikers standing on the summit plateau, looking longingly at the true peak just a few metres away, and deciding that the 'threading' process is a hobby better suited to people with a death wish or no imagination.