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I'd read a few reports on here about walkers setting off early to catch the sunrise and miss the crowds, whilst part of me thought that they were clearly imbalanced another part thought 'what a great idea'.
I arrived at Arrochar the night before and set up camp and had dinner
- Dinner at dusk
My alarm went off at 3:30am, so got ready and set off in the dark
- Dark o'clock
By 4am it was light enough to pack away the head torch
- Arrochar before dawn
The Route up Beinn Narnain is pretty direct and steep, the advantage being that you gain altitude pretty quickly, by 4:45am I was already a few hundred meters up, just in time to catch the sunrise
- Just before Sunrise
- Sunrise at 4:55am
The early morning sun made everything look stunning
- The Cobbler in the early morning sun
By 6:45am I'd made it to the summit of Beinn Narnain, within a few minutes I was joined by another walker who had camped out on the summit of The Cobbler.
- Beinn Narnain summit
As always on a Saturday morning I was listening to 'Out of Doors' on BBC Radio Scotland, only to find that they were broadcasting live from the top deck of the 'Maid of the Loch' on Loch Lomond, I sent them a text to say I was looking down on them from the top of Beinn Narnain, I was pretty pleased to get a mention from both presenters Mark Stephen and Euan McIlwraith (apparently waving in my direction)
After a quick bite to eat and cup of super strength coffee I set off with Beinn Ime as my next destination
- Beinn Ime
I found climbing Beinn Ime easier on my legs than Beinn Narnain, within an hour or so I was at the summit
- Beinn Ime summit selfie
The views from Beinn Ime were breathtaking, through the slight haze Goat Fell, Schiehallion and Ben Nevis could be picked out, unfortunately beyond the capabilities of the zoom in my camera. Beinn Narnain however looked resplendent
- Beinn Narnain from Beinn Ime
I was surprised at the view directly down the Firth of Clyde, even Hunterston A could be picked out
- Iverkip & Hunterston A power stations
After a short stop enjoying the cool breeze on Beinn Ime it was time to head off and join the crowds on The Cobbler
- The Cobbler from Beinn Ime
After reaching the summit I took my place in the queue and made my way through 'the eye of the needle' to the top, I wonder how long it will be before safety rails are installed
- The Cobbler summit selfie
The walk back down to Arrochar was long and arduous especially having to step to the side constantly to let the trainer clad hordes make their way up to The Cobbler, however just near the bottom I was greeted with the finest sight of the day, Loch Long glistening in the sunshine
- Loch Long
This was one of the finest days hillwalking I'd experienced on one of the best days of the year, reinforcing my belief that Scotland truly is the most beautiful country in the world