UKC

Are these still hefty at the car park at the loch, if so is there a cheaper alternative nearby?

I seem to remember some enterprising locals had an idea on this.

I went up from Butterbridge via Beinn Ime last time which was better than expected. I was getting picked up in Arrochar but you could make a nice loop back over Beinn Luibhean.

Kind of depends on what you're doing.

There's plenty of time in the summer to make an ascent of any of the hills after the car park becomes free at 18.00hrs 

There is free access to the hills from the car park at Inveruglas (where the Ben Vane approach begins) or from Rest and Be Thankful and from Glen Croe. 

Some hillgoers obviously park along the lochside but there are now double yellows there and it should be noted that there is a popular scuba diving venue on that shore which it would be bad form , I think, for mountaineers to monopolise.

If you're climbing on the Cobbler or Coire Sugach, and need an extended period parking  you're probably best just to pay the charge and benefit from the shorter and better approach from Succoth.

Or you could get the bus to Arrochar or Tarbet if you're coming from Glasgow.