Ben Arthur's Bothy, Arrochar

I enjoyed a few refreshing pints here, again, after climbing Ben Narnain (the one next to Ben Arthur) on a sweltering hot July day. Arrochar was overflowing with tourists and the pub was extremely busy - so much so that they stopped taking food orders at one point as the kitchen couldn’t cope with the demand. Fortunately, though, most people opted to sit at the sizeable Lochside beer garden, so there were seats available in the cooler lounge. My pints of Tennent’s lager cost £3.05 and my companion’s pints of Magner’s Golden Draught cider were £3.15. Stella Artois, Fosters, John Smith’s bitter and Guinness were also on draught. It doesn’t seem to have changed at all since my last visit and remains very popular with locals and visitors alike, as witnessed by the fact that it was so busy despite there also being three hotel bars/restaurants, another pub and a handful of cafes in the village. This will definitely be the place I go for a drink anytime I’m in Arrochar.

This is very much the Arrochar locals’ village pub, in preference to the three bland, coach party orientated hotels nearby. Ben Arthur (unofficially known as “The Cobbler“) is the name of the 2,900 feet high mountain on the other side of Loch Long and the pub is also popular with climbers, walkers and other visitors. The Lounge Bar, at the rear of the building, has large plate glass windows allowing spectacular views of the loch and the mountains, including the eponymous Ben Arthur, as does the waterside beer garden (weather permitting). The Public Bar, at the front, has a pool table and a juke box and can be busy and noisy at the weekends when it is, understandably, the favoured drinking haunt of local young people. There is also a small beer garden at the front, although, as it is beside the busy main road, it’s difficult to see why anyone would prefer it to the lochside one. The varied menu provides excellent value for money and meals are served until 9.00 p.m., with take away curries and pizzas available until near closing time. This is definitely the place to go if you're visiting Arrochar and want to avoid the coach parties.