Helen Rose Outdoor Diary: Arrochar Heritage Trail.

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Helen Rose Outdoor Diary: Arrochar Heritage Trail.

October, 2026

Arrochar is a village in central Scotland at the head of Loch Long, in the west of the National Park. Loch Long forms a sea loch extending 20 miles from the Firth of Clyde at its southwestern end. Similar to a fjord, the loch forms a long indent with the coast of the Cowal Peninsula on one side and the entire western coastline of the Rosneath Peninsula on the other side. The Arrochar Alps are named after the village. The village is within the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. The Glasgow Health Culture Rambling Club arranged a walk at Arrochar accessible by public bus from Glasgow.

Loch Long

After arriving in Arrochar, we walked along the promenade of Loch Long in sunshine with fabulous views up to Ben Arthur known as the Cobbler in the Arrochar Alps. Loch Long translates from Gaelic as Ship Lake as in 1263 Arrochar was a key target for Viking raiders ,who dragged their boats two miles overland to Tarbet to attack the unprotected inland settlements of inland LochLomond before their defeat at the battle of Largs.

People have lived on the isthmus for thousands of years, evidence of their presence comes in the form of shaped flint tools, which were found in the school field at Tarbet. Later on, the area was vital within the Battle of Largs in 1263, when the Vikings pulled sixty ships out of Loch Lomond and dragged them across the land to Tarbert on the western shore of Loch Lomond. From there they sailed south to raid the inland settlements. From the 13th century onwards the lands around belonged to the Clan McFarlane, who were notorious for their cattle raids – the moon became known as ‘McFarlane’s lantern’ thanks to its role in aiding the night-time incursions.

Arrochar Hidden Heritage Trail

We walked up from Loch Long on a good narrow path through the forest until we reached a junction on the Three Lochs Way, We were heading to Loch Lomond but the other direction was to Gareloch. This path connects all three Lochs giving the name The Three Lochs Way. To clarify, a lake is called a Loch in Scotland. On the path, I spotted a vole. The field vole is one of the UK’s most common mammals, forming an extremely important part of the diet of many predators. They are very cute little mammals and usually keep well away from people. Voles belong to the subfamily Arvicolinae (making them close relatives of lemmings and hamsters), while true mice and rats belong to the subfamily Murinae.

We passed the information board on Ballyhennan Toll House which was located near Tarbert.Ballyhennan Toll House is a historic mid-19th-century roadside building built to collect tolls after the local road was turnpiked. It was downhill to Tarbert for lunch at picnic tables on the shores of Loch Lomond.

The views of Ben Lomond over the loch were stunning as the weather was warm and sunny. I have climbed Ben Lomond many times in all weathers. In fact, it was my first Munro which are Scottish peaks over 3,000 feet.

We continued on the Heritage Trail after lunch on the other side of the road giving a circular walk back to Arrochar. Being such a warm day the forest walk provided some welcome shade.

Ben Arthur

When we eventually reached Arrochar, we had some time before the bus back to Glasgow. We settled in the Ben Arthur Beer Garden for cooling drinks and an amazing view over to Ben Arthur known to hill walkers as the Cobbled as it resembles a cobbler bending over the his last. What a wonderful end to a perfect walk sitting with a cool drink in warm weather looking at the great mountain view and in the company of like minded people.

the cobbler