Arrochar
Arrochar may be approached along Loch Long from the south or by the A83 road coming over the hill to Loch Long from Tarbet on Loch Lomond.
Arrochar is a 19th century parish village which in addition to being a popular summer tourist resort, was well known to visitors using the steamers which used to call at Arrochar pier. The steamers have long gone and the steamer pier has been closed off as it is now in disrepair, but Arrochar is still a bustling visitor centre with a range of leisure activities including walking, climbing, cycling and fishing.
The Arrochar Alps
Looking west from the village the "
Arrochar Alps " provide a magnificent backdrop to the head of the loch with splendid
views of the Cobbler (Ben Arthur) and its neighbours. This area is a walker's paradise
with a great selection of interesting hill walks right
on the doorstep in the 'Arrochar Alps', the early haunt of the Glasgow mountaineering
club.
Included in the "Arrochar Alps" are:
- The Cobbler
- Ben Narnain
- Ben Ime
- Ben Vane
- Ben Vorlich
Loch Long
Loch Long is about 16 miles long and is just one of a number of sea lochs reaching deep into the Scottish Highlands from the Firth of Clyde. Having access from the open sea, Loch Long was frequently used by the Vikings during their raids. The most famous raid was in 1263 when 60 Viking boats sailed to Arrochar to be hauled overland to Tarbet and relaunched in Loch Lomond to create havoc along its shores.
Scuba Diving at Loch Long
Loch Long is also well-known to scuba divers who can
be seen here most weekends.
Unseen by most of us, the scenery underwater is, to the scuba diver a much more
fascinating landscape than that formed by the mountains and forests of our more familiar
landscape.
Whilst visiting divers are not so familiar with Scotland's west coast sea lochs, they
are popular with Scottish divers who are attracted by these sheltered waters all year
round. The best dive sites near Arrochar are at Ardgarton, a mile or so west of the
village where a car park on the shore provides a convenient place to gear up and walk into
the water - handy when carrying a load of kit.
On a bright day visibility can be surprisingly good once through the peaty surface layers.
The boulder strewn landscape of the loch bed provides a habitat for a huge variety of
marine life: conger eels, anemones, crabs, starfish and urchins are commonplace. Fish life
at Arrochar is a little sparse but pollock and gobies are occasionally seen and an
inquisitive seal will occasionally look over your shoulder.
The Rest and Be Thankful
Beyond the village and the car park are the old admiralty buildings by Loch Long where torpedoes were tested during World War ii. The road now sweeps right and begins the long climb up 'The Rest and Be Thankful' road. The name is well earned and you may imagine the condition of the horses in days gone by as they laboured up the old road which can be seen well below the modern road on the left. At the top you will find a car park at the viewpoint where you can admire the fine panorama before returning to Arrochar or continuing to explore the Cowal Peninsula or pay a visit to Inverary on the Mull of Kintyre.
A holiday at Arrochar provides a great variety of activities and the convenience of easy access to the Clyde coast and Glasgow.
