Ben Starav, a mountain in Ardchattan parish, Argyllshire, flanking the NE shore of the upper waters of Loch Etive, and culminating 10 miles NNW of Dalmally. It has a broad base, furrowed sides, and a rocky summit; rises to an altitude of 3541 feet above sea-level; and figures imposingly amid a vast extent of Highland landscape. Its sides and summit are totally sterile. Its rock is granite, and the dèbris in the channels of its brooks contains large beautiful quartz crystals, variously colourless, yellowish, or dark-hued; and by lapidaries esteemed as not inferior to the precious Cairngorm stones.

(F.H. Groome, Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland (1882-4); © 2004 Gazetteer for Scotland)