The Cobbler, 10th May 2025

 I don't know how many times I've been up the Cobbler. I remember summer evening climbs with my friend Wilco in 2012, where we had cold McDonald's Cheeseburgers on the top, once with Gordy back over from Australia where he was reminded of the beauty of this place, times in slippy snow with Max, Sarah and Toezi and numerous times alone. I did my first Scout T2 hillwalking assessment out there with John O'Connor. I love it, it's a great hill but over the years I've learned that it's best on a summer's evening after the crowds have dissipated and you can catch the glory of an Argyll sunset mostly to yourself.

On the Goil to Gillan Challenge I was lucky enough to see the Cobbler from multiple angles in the morning light and it just reminded me how I often overlook it when I'm looking for a hill to do.

The next weekend I had pretty much recovered and the weather was warm and breezy so I took the opportunity of a quiet Saturday night to have a bash at running the Cobbler. I left Glasgow just after 1645 after a day of garden graft and made very quick progress up to Arrochar, then got out the car and headed off up the hill at 1755. It was significantly steeper on the approach path than I remembered, but I just took the pace easy and said hi to a few walkers on their way down.

Once I cleared the forest it was looking pretty nice but the sun was still beating down on me. At 1840 I was past the Narnain Boulders and at the junction between the scramble-up-the-front route and the path that goes over the back. I'd never taken the latter, so I decided I'd head that way for a wee change, plus it might be easier to keep running.

Cobbler path

Fortunately, the sun was dropping behind the hill, but it didn't really cool down much. I passed a couple more people and the other junction where you would head for Beinn Narnain and then broke off to the big shoulder of the Cobbler. I was moving really well and 20 minutes later I was on the North Peak (on the right) which doesn't really get that many visitors. I got some nice pics of Narnain and the shadow of the Cobbler in the glen below.

Beinn Narnain

Cobbler shadow in the glen below

It was a bit breezy but still warm. Next was the descent to the bealach and on to the main summit with the rock feature called the Eye of the Needle.

I have been up here in some pretty icy conditions where you wouldn't even consider threading the needle, but tonight was pretty nice and the rock was dry. I met a lovely couple and the guy was kind of interested in doing it, so I said I'd guide him through. It's a bit exposed, but we spotted each other through the hole in the rock, along the ledge and then we stood on the very narrow top one by one. Just a couple of triumphant guys who just met enjoying the hill.

The couple were headed down the scramble route, but I wanted to come down via An t-Sròn, so I followed a rough path down and it looked like I might have another scramble on my hands

Rock in the way

It was fine though, there is a little path to the right which passes under the rock, which was warm to the touch after being in the sun all day.

I headed down a bit further and got some perspective on the top of the Cobbler.

No one else on that part of the ridge but me, it was heaven. The running was good too once I was off the steep part.

I got some nice views of Loch Lomond and Loch Long with Arrochar sitting at the head of the loch. Ben Lomond unmistakeable from this side.

Ben Lomond, Loch Lomond and Loch Long (and me)

In no time at all I was back at the wee dam at the top of the forest. I thought I might get wet feet in the river crossing, but it was pretty dry. I was making great time back to the car and got down at 2020. 

Just a great wee run on a great wee hill.

Run Distance: 11.89km

Run Time: 2h 28m

Ascent: 959m

Corbetts Completed: One day I'll count them!