Page Type: | Mountain/Rock |
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Lat/Lon: | 56.14976°N / 4.64001°W |
Activities: | Hiking |
Season: | Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter |
Elevation: | 3195 ft / 974 m |
Ben Lomond stands at 3195feet/974metres and is peak number 184 in the Munro heights table. Located within Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park and situated on the eastern shores of Loch Lomond itself, the peak is the southern most Munro in Scotland. Due to it's proximity to Glasgow, Ben Lomond is probably one of the busiest mountains in Scotland. A fair weathered weekend can easily have in excess of 200 people scaling its bulky slopes. The translation of its name from Gaelic means Beacon Hill.
Ben Lomond, Luss & The Trossachs
In the eighteenth century, having scaled Ben Lomond, John Stodd described it as 'a stupendous precipice of 2,000ft, exciting a degree of surprise arising almost in terror'. Also in the same century Colonel Thornton celebrated his ascent with a lunch that consisted of ptarmigan, moor-cock, smoked ham, and reindeer tongue that was then washed down with champagne that had been cooled in the snow. I think I just had sandwiches, a bar of chocolate and some juice but, hey I enjoyed it the same.
The summit is a fairly short, level topped ridge that offers fantastic views if you are fortunate enough to get a clear day. Views onto Loch Lomond, Loch Sloy reservoir/dam lodged in between the Arrochar Alps and beyond to the Crianlarich Hills with Ben More very distinct at the end of this range to name but a few of the sights to sit and admire.
Ben Lomond should take roughly 5 to 7 hours to complete depending on your chosen route of ascent/descent.
From Glasgow take the A82 Loch Lomond road until reaching the Balloch roundabout (the one with the metal ducks). Turn right onto the A811 and continue along this road until reaching Drymen. From there take the A837 to Balmaha and continue onwards to reach Rowardennan (care should be taken on this road as it is very narrow and not in the best of conditions).
Airports
Glasgow Airport
Edinburgh Airport
Prestwick International Airport
Car
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Train
Scotrail
Bus
Scottish City Link
There is no red tape in Scotland due to the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 which incorporated the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. This code, which commenced on the 9th of February 2005, has established statutory rights of access to land and inland water for outdoor recreation.
The Land Reform(Scotland) Act 2003
Scottish Outdoor Access Code
The following aspects should be taken into consideration when you are in the Scottish countryside;
The best place to base yourself for climbing Ben Lomond is Rowardennan, however due to its proximity to Glasgow, there is a wide variety of accommodation available in the city and surrounding areas.
Rowardennan Hotel
Oak Tree Inn
Buchanan Arms Hotel & Spa
Sallochy Campsite
Cashel Campsite
Rowardennan Lodge Youth Hostel
Wild camping is totally legal in Scotland and can be done in various locations close to Ben Lomond. This is due to the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 that was mentioned earlier.
Here are some of the basic rules that should be adopted when wild camping;
The Mountaineering Council of Scotland provides an invaluable leaflet providing a full breakdown of the dos and don'ts of wild camping in Scotland. Wild Camping, A guide to good practice.
Please note that wild camping is now restricted on the eastern shores of Loch Lomond due to misuse/overuse in the area. Please see the following link
East Loch Lomond Camping Byelaws
Ben Lomond is accessible all year round however, as you can get four seasons in one day in Scotland, care should be taken at all times.
West Highlands Mountain Forecast
Avalanche forecast
The Southern Highlands by Donald Bennet
Scottish Hill and Mountain Names by Peter Drummond
The Munros (SMC Hillwalkers guide) edited by Donald Bennet & Rab Anderson
Cicerone Guide - Central and Southern Scottish Highlands – backpacking guide by Graham Uney
Walking Loch Lomond & The Trossachs by Ronald Turnbull
The Munros by Cameron McNeish
Scottish Hill and Mountain Names by Peter Drummond
Ski Mountaineering in Scotland by Donald Bennet & Bill Wallace
OS Map Explorer 364 - Loch Lomond North
OS Map Landranger - Loch Lomond & Inveraray
Ben Lomond Superwalker Map
Visit Scotland
Discover Scotland
Undiscovered Scotland
Walk the Highlands
The Scottish Mountaineering Club
Munro Magic
Visit Perthshire
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