Hillwalkers have hit out over plans for an 800% increase in parking charges at one of the area's top tourist spots.

Argyll and Bute Council has proposed to raise the cost of parking from £1 to £9 a day for two car parks at Arrochar, at the head of Loch Long.

The car parks are the starting point for those planning to climb The Cobbler, one of the best-known hills in Scotland, as well as the Arrochar Alps group of Munros - Scottish mountains more than 3000ft high.

Hillwalkers are threatening to park illegally or go elsewhere to avoid the charges.

Outdoors writer and broadcaster Cameron McNeish branded the move "an utter disgrace".

Writing on Twitter, he said: "Argyll and Bute Council should be ashamed. Totally unacceptable."

Ramblers Scotland's campaigns and policy manager, Helen Todd, said they are not opposed to modest charges at popular car parks when it is clear the money will be invested in "much-needed facilities".

She said it is "disappointing" that the council is introducing such drastic increases at car parks which are important starting points for thousands of people who enjoy The Cobbler and surrounding hills.

Davie Black, access and conservation officer with Mountaineering Scotland, said: "We appreciate the financial pressures that local authorities are under and that the provision of car parking facilities incurs a cost.

"Our members are used to seeing daily charges of £3 to £4 for parking in popular walking locations, such as at Glen Nevis and at Forest Enterprise sites.

"We regard this as a reasonable cost to ensure that cars are safely parked off the road while walkers enjoy their time in the hills.

"However, high car parking charges can create a barrier to those wishing to exercise their right of access to the countryside, particularly those with lower incomes.

"This is all happening at a time when Scottish Government policies are firmly committed to social inclusion and promotion of outdoor recreation for the health and social well-being benefits that it brings to people.

"The huge increase that Argyll and Bute Council intends to impose targets people who have no other option to safely park a car."

A spokeswoman for Argyll and Bute Council said: "We'd like to have maintained the charge at its current very low level but this unfortunately is not an option.

"Year-on-year cuts to our funding mean that, like all councils, we must make changes to how we work. We have kept charges to a minimum for as long as possible.

"However, the decision was taken at the council budget in February to increase charges at Arrochar in line with other off-street parking across Argyll and Bute.

"Charging only applies between 9am and 6pm, which equates to £1 per hour.

"The money raised will go towards essential council services, including car park maintenance."