Arrochar is a village in the Mountains of Argyll only 41 miles northwest of Glasgow. The village is popular for short breaks in its two large hotels, Inn and Bothy with mountain views. Hiking routes are superb up mountains often referred to as the Arrochar Alps such as the 3,316ft / 1,011m Beinn Ime, 3,038ft / 926m Beinn Nairnan, and 2,900ft / 884m Cobbler with its twin peaks. There are also walking trails through the mountain glens.

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Arrochar is also a popular base for boat trips on Loch Lomond from Tarbet only 2 miles east, and a drive up through the mountains past the Rest and Be Thankful, past Loch Fyne Oysters, to the scenic village of Inveraray with its historic castle 22 miles northwest.

The image top is from a large scenic car park at Arrochar looking down Loch Long, 20 miles / 32 km in length. This is a sea loch used by Vikings in 1263 to trail their boats overland from Arrochar to Tarbet then conducted killing raids around Loch Lomond.

The image second top is of the Arrochar Mountains with the 2,900ft Cobbler being the most notable. Although just under the 3,000ft a mountain needs to be classed as a Munroe, the Cobbler is one of the most hiked mountains in Scotland due to its twin peaks being popular for stunning photos with hikers on top.

The Arrochar Hotel, Loch Long Hotel and Village Inn are all situated in the village with good views of the mountains.

There are also a number of good looking B&Bs situated around the village with great views.

There is a 6 mile / 10 km walk through the mountains from Arrochar to Inveruglas, and a shorter walk around the village.

Arrochar History

1100s - the lands of Arrochar were held by the Barons of Arrochar.

1200s - Clan MacFarlane were in control of the Arrochar lands, descendants of the Barons of Arrochar.

1263 - Viking raiders visited Arrochar so they could drag their boats 2 miles overland to Tarbet on Loch Lomond to plunder unprotected settlements around Loch Lomond.

A battle may have taken place between the Vikings and the MacFarlanes at that time as there is a burial ground between Arrochar and Tarbet that may be the grave of a Viking leader.

The Vikings then sailed down River Leven into the Clyde. The Vikings were then attacked at Largs by forces of Alexander III of Scotland. The Battle of Largs was not decisive as many Vikings escaped. This was the Vikings last major raid in Scotland, as they began withdrawing from the western islands from that time as well.

1850 - Arrochar Pier was built for Glasgow Steamers on the popular Three Lochs Tour. These tours visited Loch Goil, then Loch Long with passengers being transferred from Arrochar to Tarbet by coach, then boarding another steamer for a tour down Loch Lomond.

1912 - the Arrochar Torpedo Testing Facility was opened at the head of Loch Long, across the loch from Arrochar Church, to test Torpedoes by firing them down Loch Long.

1965 - steamers stopped running to Arrochar Pier. The Pier is now just a number of posts sticking out the water.

1986 - the Torpedo Testing Facility closed.

2007 - the Torpedo Testing Facility buildings were damaged by fire, they are to be demolished.