Stob Odhar

Overview

Stob Odhar at 562metres.

Is the highest summit on the region of Knapdale and Kintyre.
The Kintyre Peninsular which is part of Argyle and Bute has some fantastic scenery from Hills and Summits to beautiful stretches of Coastline.

When i climbed to its summit it was a very early start on a cold winters day with one of the most fantastic cloud inversions i had ever witnessed see the pictures attached to this page as a Sunrise over a Cloud Inversion is a Fantastic site.

Stob Odhar can be a slight cheat of a summit to do if the forestry gates are left open at the main A83-Road north of Tarbert.
The route can be cheated upon by driving a car up to the great South Knapdale TV-Relay Transmitter tower and its neighbouring towers.

When parked at these towers the walk to the summit is a descent of about 100metres to a peat-bog then an ascent of only 200metres from here to the summit.
This shortcut can only be done if the forestry gates are open but the risk is getting locked up there if they re-shut the gates.

If ascent takes place from sea level at the A83 forest gates then a very long winding but very pleasent access track can be followed all the way up to the radio towers. When up this route some streams and waterfalls break the forestry repetoire and then when leaving the forest area the towers can be seen crowning the first main target top.
This big very busy Relay transmitter is the South Knapdale relay from Black Hill near Glasgow. The best view of the Stob Odhar ridge is also from these radio towers.

From the main summit there are fine views of the Isle of Arran, The summits of Arrochar and much more.
For a small summit it is very rewarding.

Getting There

There are many ways of getting to the Kintyre Peninsular.
By Car:
The biggest City to this area is Glasgow.
From Glasgow take the A82 North signposted for Crianlarich following to the West side of the great Loch Lomond you will reach the small place of Tarbet. From here take the A83 Signposted for Campbeltown and Arrochar.
Follow this A83 road through Arrochar, Inveraray, Lochgilphead and then head for Tarbert. The access road to the forestry route up is just north of Tarbert at a small place called Erines.

There are island hopping ferry services from the Isle of Arran and Portavadie to Tarbert.
Island hopping can be good and quick in good weather but the ferries easily get cancelled in bad wind and heavy rain.

The nearest main airport to the area is that at Glasgow.
Use of a hire car from here combined with island hopping or driving the route given at the above via the A82 and A83.
Its your choice but the drive takes a bloody long time even though its about 100miles.
The reason it is slow is there are no dual carraigeways on this route once out of Glasgow.

The Kintyre Peninsular is a totally unspoilt corner of Scotland.
FOLLOW THIS LINK FOR MORE KINTYRE INFORMATION

Red Tape

The Scottish FREE TO ROME RULES apply here...!
So you can go anywhere at your will as long as you do not damage surrounding farm property.

Camping

Whether you like proper Hotel / B&B or Indipendant camping and caravans follow the links below...

BED AND BREAKFAST GOOGLE SEARCH PAGE

CAMPING GOOGLE SEARCH PAGE

This being an isolated peninsular you will need to search.
When I did this summit I were staying in Arrochar.
Other big towns local are Campbeltown and all the towns as mentioned on route by car on the A82 and A83 roads.

Weather

When I was here the weather was stunning but as with all places it can change fast.
BBC Local 5-Day Weather
This is a typical Scottish weather changing area.
Mist and Fog can develope easily over the great waters of Loch Fyne.
These then rise and develope cloud inversions in the coldest days that can be very impressive see the pictures below.

A LOVELY CLOUD INVERSION

STRANGE CLOUDS

Images

View Stob Odhar Image Gallery - 13 Images