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Ben Arthur or The Cobbler is a mountain of 884 m in height located near the head of Loch Long in Scotland. It is a Corbett.
The mountain is the most spectacular, although by no means the highest of the so-called Arrochar Alps, due to its distinctive, large rocky summit features which are supposed to represent a cobbler bending over his last. The features are clearly visible many miles away from the mountain.
Despite the mountain falling short of Munro height, due to its summit features, ease of access, and excellent summit views, it is one of the most popular mountains in Scotland.
The most common route starts from the village of Succouth, at the head of the loch. Originally, the route first headed directly up the hillside, following the remains of an old tramway built as part of a water collection scheme. A newly constructed path has now been built, by-passing the tramway to give a more gentle ascent through an area of forestry. This path meets up with old tramway path, and from there a well-constructed path continues, following a burn known as the Allt a'Bhalachain.
Ben Arthur has three distinctive summits; the middle one is the highest. The top is crowned by a rocky outcrop that marks the true summit. A good head for height and climbing ability are required to attain the true summit, which can best be reached through a small hole beside a narrow ledge. Climbing via this route is known as "threading the needle".
Beside the constructed path, the summits may also be reached starting from the A83 Rest-and-be-Thankful road through Glen Croe to the west; by following the rocky south-eastern ridge up from Loch Long; or from the Bealach a'Mhaim. This bealach, at 640 m, allows for Ben Arthur to be combined with some of the other Arrochar Alps, notably Beinn Narnain and Beinn Ime.
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