2005 was another great year on the hills for me. After a wonderful few days climbing new Marilyns on Arran and Holy Island in hot sunny weather, my 1000th Marilyn was Cnoc Moy (19B), near Campbeltown (I am a Campbell). I am now 64 years old, and this was a great way to celebrate 32 years of walking and climbing, having started in the Ochils and climbed my first Munro, Ben Nevis, in July 1973. From the far south of Scotland, I climbed my 1001st, Meall nan Clach Ruadh (16C) near Tongue in the far north. My last four new Marilyns of the year were in the Lake District in October. Every day on the hill is a wonderful experience for me, but some stand out as exceptional. Some of last year's most memorable days were:
There have also been some memorable days revisiting old favourites among the Munros, Corbetts, Grahams and Donalds, on my local hills, the Ochils, on hills listed in Eric Yeaman's book and, of course, on hills that won't ever appear in any list. (I wouldn't bet on that - see page 38. AD.)
A strange sign on Cnoc Ceislein (photo: Dorothy Wilson)
