Cruach Tairbeirt Summit

Only a thin strip of land separates Loch Long, a lengthy but narrow sea loch that reaches into the Southern Highlands from the Firth of Clyde and bonnie Loch Lomond, Scotland’s largest freshwater loch. Occupying this patch and rising to 1,361 feet (415 m) above it all is Cruach Tairbeirt, a glorious viewpoint for mountains, lochs and everything else that makes Scotland such a magical place.

Cruach Tairbeirt’s sprawling, heather-clad summit rises above its surrounding forestation to give a little taste of Highland majesty. It’s easily accessible from the Arrochar and Tarbet railway station, which is just south of the summit. You can find accommodation in the villages of the same name and, from here, paths climb through the trees to reach the trig pillar.

With the Arrochar Alps, including the Cobbler’s oddball form, to the west, Ben Lomond’s conical top to the east, Loch Long stretching away to the southwest and Loch Lomond pointing the way north into the Highlands, the top of Cruach Tairbeirt enjoys a comprehensive panorama.