Ronald Turnbull is seen here in the eye of the Argyll Needle, just below the summit of the Cobbler. Among his experiences in the Lomond and Trossachs he includes a bivvy-bag night at the summit of Ben Ledi when he woke up covered in sleet, and a crossing of all eight of the Luss Hills in one November day. Researching this book he has enjoyed in particular revisiting those intricate Crianlarich Hills, and the area's two big views, from Ben A'an and from the Dumpling (alias Duncryne).

He has won awards for his writing – the Outdoor Writers and Photographers Guild Award for excellence nine times, in four different categories; and also for his walking – the Fell Running Association's Long-distance Trophy for a journey over all the 2000ft hills of southern Scotland. He is based in Dumfriesshire.

Other Cicerone guides by the author

Ben Nevis and Glen Coe

Not the West Highland Way

The Book of the Bivvy

Three Peaks, Ten Tors

Walking in the Cairngorms

Walking Highland Perthshire

Walking the Jurassic Coast

Walking in the Southern Uplands

Photo by Matt Scase

Second edition 2018

ISBN: 978 1 85284 963 4

First edition 2009.

Printed in China on behalf of Latitude Press Ltd.

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

All photographs are by the author unless otherwise stated.

Acknowledgements

Alois Stukavec and Virginia Kearse (Munroist) added to the enjoyment of the hill days here, and Matt Scase was very good-natured when it came to posing on awkward boulders. The National Park Ranger Service, the National Trust for Scotland and the Forestry Commission have done (and are doing) good work in looking after and improving these heavily used paths. Special thanks to Steven Kenney and Babs Robertson who went out of their way to clear up the expanding firing range on Route 47 four days before the manuscript for this book went to Cicerone Press. Thanks to Harveys of Doune who kindly supplied me with all of their most recent mapping at two different scales.

Updates to this Guide

While every effort is made by our authors to ensure the accuracy of guidebooks as they go to print, changes can occur during the lifetime of an edition. Any updates that we know of for this guide will be on the Cicerone website (www.cicerone.co.uk/963/updates), so please check before planning your trip. We also advise that you check information about such things as transport, accommodation and shops locally. Even rights of way can be altered over time. We are always grateful for information about any discrepancies between a guidebook and the facts on the ground, sent by email to [email protected] or by post to Cicerone, Juniper House, Murley Moss, Oxenholme Road, Kendal LA9 7RL.

Register your book: To sign up to receive free updates, special offers and GPX files where available, register your book at www.cicerone.co.uk.

Mountain Warning

Mountain walking can be a dangerous activity carrying a risk of personal injury or death. It should be undertaken only by those with a full understanding of the risks and with the training and experience to evaluate them. While every care and effort has been taken in the preparation of this guide, the user should be aware that conditions can be highly variable and can change quickly, materially affecting the seriousness of a mountain walk. Therefore, except for any liability that cannot be excluded by law, neither Cicerone nor the author accept liability for damage of any nature (including damage to property, personal injury or death) arising directly or indirectly from the information in this book.

To call out the Mountain Rescue, ring 999 or the international emergency number 112: this will connect you via any available network. Once connected to the emergency operator, ask for the police.

Front cover: Heading down from the Cobbler summit towards North Peak, with Beinn Narnain beyond (Route 64)

CONTENTS

Map key

Overview map

INTRODUCTION

The High Road and the Low

Walking conditions

When to go

Safety in the mountains

Maps

Compass and GPS

What's in this book