The proposed site for the Ben Arthur Resort occupies an excellent location within the Loch Lomond National Park, on the north shore of Loch Long just opposite the picturesque village of Arrochar. The site also benefits from a prominent position on the tourist route to the Highlands, just before the “Rest and be Thankful” mountain pass and just below the mountain Ben Arthur, from which it is proposed the resort would take its name. The mountains in this area are known collectively as the “Arrochar Alps” and are dominated by the Ben Arthur’s distinctive rocky summit, more commonly known as “The Cobbler”.
The site is an area of land previously occupied by the former MOD torpedo testing station on the north shore of Loch Long, just opposite the picturesque village of Arrochar. In use between 1912 and 1986, the range was busiest during World War 2 – in 1944 over 12,000 torpedoes were tested, the peak being 62 in one day.
Today the site enjoys the same spectacular loch side setting and, once the existing derelict buildings have been removed, this area of land has the capacity to provide a truly excellent location for a 4 star hotel and associated leisure and residential facilities.
The planning application is under discussion.
Log onto National Park web site, planning issues and look for planning application 2012/0163/DET. The is plenty there to keep you interested
By: Bill Thompson on December 4, 2012
at 5:45 pm
Does anyone know if this has moved forward in any shape or form? Both contacts listed (from Archial) never bothered to get back to me. Shame, as I’m interested to see how this develops.
By: Neil Barr on December 4, 2012
at 3:07 pm
I would like to start this comment by saying that I have visited Arrochar reguarly for at least 30 odd years,and about a year and half back I moved on to the McTavish caravan site in the village and have now got to know the village and some of the residents who have been friendly and hospitable at all times. As I see it the the lack of a landing pier in the village has held the village back in regards of water related activties.The instalation of a pontoon in place of the old pier would benifit village residents and visitors alike.Can I also add that the public slipway in front of the Teighness store should be up graded or a new slipway built
By: Don MacMahon on November 24, 2012
at 9:14 pm
i was just reading your comments and think you are missing the point here its not as if they are going to build or upgrade the public slip at tighness as its a public access and this development is a private company development i do however agree with your point about the slip and the proposed pontoon at the village hall site but thats a point that has to be raised with the comunity council and the slip at tighness belongs to the council but i think the comunity council should take on your poin and ask argyl & bute council to repair the slip
By: local resident on November 24, 2012
at 9:43 pm
Hi local Resident
In reply it was not my intention to suggest that the Developer of the proposed Ben Arthur resort upgrade or build a new slipway at Tighness.If the local council or other like minded bodies got togehter I am sure they could see the benifits to the village
By: Don MacMahon on December 9, 2012
at 10:13 pm
It is only through forward thinking and making best use of the the natural assets of Scotland that we will have a long term future as a nation. This development works on so many level and should be given the support of all.
By: Iain Smith on May 25, 2012
at 2:52 pm
This looks like a fantastic opportunity for generating investment in Arrochar and hope it can allow integration of community activities from the marina.
By: Michele Crossman on April 14, 2012
at 9:29 pm
i have concerns about the size of the marina as it apears to reach out to almost half way acrost the loch and if the pontoon at the village hall also is built then there is no way that we could atract the likes of the waverly to arrochar as there will be no room for her to turn also i think the look of the tower houses are not going to look nice i think they are ugally i do belive that there sould be a development on the site with a marina but for the marina not to reach out so far on the loch and for it to have the likes of log cabins as i think it would be better and the hotel would be good as it will keep local jobs for local people and for the local people to have a fair price on using the facility i.e ruduced rate if you can prove you live in arrochar & tarbert as this will charge a lot and locals will not pay so there is no benifit for the locals
By: local resident ( living in arrochar ) on April 6, 2012
at 10:51 am
Hi, I am also a local resident to the village off arrochar, and have been here 22years, i agree to the previous comment that was made, the torpedo range is a huge disgrace and an eyesore at this moment! I 100% agree with the plans, most people within the area are going to benifit this, i,e businesses,buses,hotels, and further more, also it may bring some strength to the village for the future,
i hope it will also include locals getting a % off these jobs, as this is what the village needs,
The poontoon that is ment to be getting built infront off the Village hall is a great idea for both,
Many regards
By: Local resident on March 26, 2012
at 9:50 pm
I am a local resident and the Campus Manager for the Three Villages Community Hall. I would like to add my personal support for this development.
While the Torpedo Range was a very strong part of the local history, there can be no disagreement that it is now an eyesore and a blight on the landscape. Redevelopment of the site is a desirable objective and the quality of this proposal is encouraging. It will further enhance the regeneration of Arrochar.
This will be a huge boost for the local economy and should be viewed in the context of other recent regeneration projects in the area:
A long held ambition of the community was to build a new community hall, and this is now well established as a venue for many activities. In the 2 years since opening it has brought major benefits for both locals and tourists.
Phase 2 of the community hall (which has Planning Permission in Principle) will see the integration of a new cafe and visitor centre, which will give the community hall the ability to maintain low cost hire charges for local clubs and residents. This will include a new pontoon able to berth motor vessels, moorings for local residents and will also provide onshore services for all water users.
Far from being in conflict with the marina proposed in the Ben Arthur Resort, there is a synergy between these two water side access points. The pontoon at the village hall will provide the only marine access point for tourists to get to the heart of the village. Loch Long will again see the movement of small craft between Ardmay, Ardgarten, Ben Arthur resort and Arrochar.
Existing business will benefit from the additional tourist activity and new business opportunities are bound to arise – anyone for a water-taxi service?
By: Liz Baillie on March 23, 2012
at 12:15 pm
As a resident in the village I welcome development of the site but I am not sure that another hotel is the best option for the site. I would welcome a resource for the local community and for those who already visit the area i.e. a watersports facility for those who canoe,dive or sail locally.
Development of this site would have to be in keeping with the surroundings and not impair the views for those that live in Arrochar.
By: Ellen Greenwood on March 22, 2012
at 8:14 pm
Every business in the area will benefit, and even more reason for the pontoon at 3 villages hall. Arrochar has been deprest for too long, I can’t believe this is going to happen, fantastic news.
By: julie Brown on March 20, 2012
at 7:55 pm
At long last the old torpedo factory site could be changed out of all recognition.
I welcome the plan and development, however this proposal must raise questions on sustainability of the proposed marine access pontoon development and backup sailing facilities in Arrochar.
Will they now be dropped?
By: Bill Thompson on March 20, 2012
at 10:42 am