Walk Information
Heather Thomas-Smith runs Heathery Heights, an outdoor adventure and discovery company based in Lochgilphead, offering guided walking adventures, outdoor activities, training, and experiences. She has travelled and trekked throughout the world, walked across Scotland numerous times, climbed many of its peaks and now lives in Argyll amongst the scenery she loves.
All her walks can be booked as bespoke guided experiences. www.heatheryheights.co.uk
Visiting Loch Lomond and taking a boat trip from Tarbet or driving over to Arrochar and Succoth to climb the heady heights of The Cobbler (Ben Arthur), Beinn Narnain or Beinn Ime may be familiar to many, as are the journeys that take you north to Crianlarich, west to Inveraray or up Loch Lomond’s eastern shores to climb Conic Hill or Ben Lomond.
Yet hidden just at the back of Tarbet, another wee hill, Cruach Tairbeirt, stands in a position which affords some of the best views of most of these hills plus many of the northern Arrochar Alps to boot.
An Argyll Marilyn at 415m, its moorland top allows for an impressive 360 panorama. Cruach Tairbeirt means conical hill of the isthmus, reflecting the narrow stretch of land between Loch Lomond and Loch Long.
You can also gain some cracking views both over Loch Long and across to Ben Lomond by taking in the waymarked Hidden Heritage Trail (hiddenheritage.org.uk), which offers you the opportunity for a longer walk with woodlands and open vistas, maybe with a stop off for refreshments either in Tarbet or Arrochar en route.
The walks are easily split or added together and can be undertaken from east, west or the railway station.
For ease we have given directions from Tarbet Pier car park to include both the Hidden Heritage Trail (which mainly uses the Three Lochs Way) and Cruach Tairbeirt.
Of note is that Tarbet is where Norse forces heaved many of their ships over the narrow isthmus from Arrochar during the 1263 battle with Alexander III of Scotland’s forces, to enable attack via inland waters.
The Norse King Magnus Barefoot had originally been granted the Western Isles and Kintyre in 1098, following an agreement that he could control what he could sail round – or, it turned out, drag boats over/round (he gained Kintyre by hauling boats from West Loch Tarbert to East
Loch Tarbert, another narrow isthmus).
By the 13th century Alexander III had hopes that he could buy the lands back, but it seemed that Haakon IV, the Norse King of the time, was not happy with this and proceeded to battle instead, possibly exacerbated by Scottish attacks in the north.
Eventually Haakon was defeated, dying in Orkney, and the Treaty of Perth in 1266 saw the Western Isles and Kintyre returned to Scotland.
Leaving Tarbet Pier car park cross over to the Tarbet Hotel. Continue round the hotel up to the main road junction and turn right towards Arrochar.
The road turns sharply left, from here continue along the pavement for nearly 300m, until you reach the first turning on the left across the road. This is clearly signposted for the Three Lochs Way as well as the Hidden Heritage Trail.
Take care crossing, pass
Route: Cruach Tairbeirt and Hidden Heritage Trail
Distance: 8 to 11.75 km (5 to 7½ miles)
Ascent: 240 to 580 m
Time: 3 to 5 hours
Terrain: Mixture of road, tracks and paths with some steep uneven sections. Map/s: OS Landranger 56 (1:50 000) and OS Explorer 39 (1:25 000). Start/Finish/Parking: Tarbet Pier car park
Note: you can also start/finish from the railway station, Tarbet or Arrochar bus stops or Arrochar Community centre car park. Grid reference: NN 319 044
Public Transport: Buses 302, 914, 916, 926, 975, 976. Trains from Glasgow, Oban and Mallaig Ferry across Loch Lomond
Toilets: Tarbet Pier car park
OS Map link: https://explore.osmaps.com/route/16153392/ heathery-heights-cruach-tairbeirt-and-hidden-heritage?lat=56.208756&lon=-4.752173&zoom=12.5789&style=Standard&type=2d&overlays=&placesCategory= through the gate and follow the easy wide track slightly up hill before bearing right. There are good views over to Ben Lomond.
The track now keeps fairly level for the next couple of kilometres with lovely views to the hills either side and beyond to the Arrochar Alps and The Cobbler. Note the old sheep fanks about halfway along on your right.
As you approach the views opening out over Loch Long you will pass the turning right down to Arrochar which is signposted.
However, it is worth continuing for another 300m to the lovely viewpoint and stone seat with fabulous views or, just a little further, down to Robert’s Bridge to view the falls, particularly after heavy rain.
Whether you visit the viewpoint or not you will need to take the path down to Arrochar which dips (literally, mind your head!) under the railway.
It zigzags down, passing the playing fields (ignore the old sign taking you right) and continue down to Arrochar Parish Church. Built in 1847 this superseded an older church