The Cobbler aka Ben Arthur

The itch had to be scratched once again and this time I had company for the trip, a Dutch guy called Mike who was over for 6 months to complete his Ph.D. Mike was keen to get some walking done and I thought I would introduce him to Ben Arthur, an unforgettable character. However, as we left the car park at Succoth, the clag was in and I couldn't even show him where we were heading. We took to the excellent path and it was a quick climb past the Narnain boulders - I regaled him with stories of folk sleeping under these giant rocks. I think he thought I was pulling his leg but I kept telling him he'd see some cracking sights today, what with the dramatic view of the Cobbler and perhaps the 'threading of the eye of the needle'.

This too was lost on Mike but I said actions would speak louder than words. We reached the bealach between our objective, Beinn Narnain and Beinn Ime. The cloud was beginging to lift and we sensed some fine views were imminent. I couldn't believe how good the path was up to the top of the Cobbler and before long, I told Mike we had reached our airy summit. Mike told me how much he loved his girlfriend and that he was happy just to take photos of me trying to attain the exposed summit. Threading the 'eye of the needle' wasn't the hard part - once through the other side, a potential drop on to some boulders of about 25 ft added some spasms to the sphincter. I gripped my way along the broadish ledge (maybe 2 ft wide) but it was a little damp and I took extra care along to the incline. Having done a fair amount of indoor climbing, it doesn't really prepare you for the feeling of cold damp rock. Philosophical questions filled my mind. Where were those jugs, who had the belay, did Mike love his girlfriend more than I did mine? I ungracefully pulled my weight up on to the summit and posed for the 'money shot'.

Once I had clambered back down, I was relieved to see Mike had been taking plenty of photos and I was relieved to be off the piece of rock, although it was rather exhilarating. A spot of lunch at the top, as the clouds parted and we enjoyed a chat about the Scots, the Dutch and a world going to pot. At least you can rely on the hills to restore faith and on the way down we must have said hello to maybe 50 or 60 people who were heading up. It was a good wee trip and one which I think Mike enjoyed although he did his best to remind me of the 3-0 victory in the football on the way back down. However, he was nae bad for a Dutch loon...