BEN LOMOND

THE STORY

Probably the best known landmark on the southern edge of the Highlands, visible from many lowland spots. This gives credence to the idea the name comes from the Brittonic llumon or Gaelic laom meaning 'a beacon' or 'blaze or light', giving the hill an ancient telecommunications function. Its shape and detached position make it visible from large areas, and thus an ideal height on which to place warning fires to transmit their signal. Its commanding position and commensurate views have nowadays made it a great favourite of Glaswegians who claim it as their own. The mountain's profile amply illustrates why this mountain has illuminated many a walker's vision to seek further mountains to conquer. A much favoured view of the early pioneers was that from Ben Arthur (The Cobbler), looking across the isthmus between Loch Long and Loch Lomond. A much less-used route up is the Ptarmigan Ridge, the tourist path is for a Sunday stroll. The loch used to be called by the name Loch Leven...it still drains into the Clyde through the River Leven.

THE DETAILS

Mountain name, how to say it, what it means   |   its height   |   Mountain region; closest town(s) [may be some distance away tho!]   |   the view-points

THE VIEW-POINTS

1. The Cobbler: requires a demanding walk to get to, but the view is worth it. You peek through a narrow gap across Arrochar and both lochs
   
2. Firkin Point: right down on the shore, offers lots of framing opportunities with the tree-lined beaches and access road, lots of fun to be had exploring hidden trinkets - there is an old wall and huge rocks for a foreground if you can find it. Sometimes planes will skim overhead
   
3. Milarrochy Bay: the hill itself might just peek out from behind a hill shoulder on the extreme right when seen from the popular tree on the shore, but you can climb Conic Hill - from there Lomond itself takes on a conical appearance
   
4. Lomond Shores: probably the most visited location, gives a view straight up the loch, with or without the ship Maid of the Loch in view. If you are lucky, or patient, the seaplane will take off or land in the frame
5. Duck Bay: not far behind Shores in terms of visitor numbers, but gives a more rounded, truer portrait of the hill's character - particularly useful for walkers as the two main routes are all in sight from here. Plenty of speedboats and jet-skis will be in evidence on most days too

THE LOCALE

Ben Lomond has several personalities, depending on the view-point. From The Cobbler and Firkin Point it is a huge hump back, from Lomond Shores outlet at Balloch you can imagine it as a broadsword with the point facing directly toward you, whereas the view from Duck Bay in late afternoon light shows all the rugged bumps and hollows as the shadows cast around the hill.

ALONG THE WAY

Ardess Burn  |  Rowardennan Forest  |  Coire Corrach  |  Halfway Well  |  Ben Lomond   |  Bealach Buidhe |  Ptarmigan Ridge  |  Rob Roy's prison

NEAREST BOTHY:

Rowchoish   |   Doune Byre

USUALLY WALKED WITH:

solo - no neighbours

PLANNING

These links lead to the variety of walks, weather and maps to aid in planning your adventure to portray this hill.

FURTHER INFORMATION FOR THIS MUNRO:

McNeish "The Munros" 1999 p.15  |  SMC Hillwalkers 2013 p.8  |  Walkhighlands "The Munros" 2019 p.18  |  Bothy Bible 2017 p.227 + p.215

• Walk 1: from Rowardennan Lodge on the tourist route
  
• Walk 2: using Ptarmigan Ridge
  
• Walk 3: east approach from Loch Dhu