The most memorable hills were those in an area new to me - north-east of the Dornoch Firth. I stayed at a campsite at Brora, and good weather ensured perfect days for Beinn Dhorain, Morven, Scaraben, Smean and Maiden Pap.
Otherwise it was a desultory mix of new hills, mainly in northern Scotland, during Easter and summer visits. Groban and Beinn Bheag (14B) proved to be a delightful tramp, with a look at the newly-renovated bothy at the head of Loch a'Bhraoin en route. Beinn nan Ramh from Incheril was another remote but thoroughly enjoyable Graham, despite the interminable steady-angled westerly slopes.
Fannichs from Beinn nan Ramh (photo: Alan Dawson)
Burgiehill turned out to be a dismal interlude on the drive from Aberlour to Dingwall. A brief respite from the heavy rain tempted me out of the car, and I followed the churned-up forestry track to the trig point, which was in cloud even at the lowly height of 254m. It poured down all the way back to the car, a mercifully short journey. I then drove around to the south side of Hill of the Wangie, just to have a look, but thought better of climbing it in cloud and rain. A few days later, Torr Achilty did not live up to its reputation, as it turned out to be almost pleasant. I followed a vague but definite path up from the dam, so apart from a bit of flogging through undergrowth in its lower reaches, it proved rather benign.
At the end of May I visited the sculptures on top of Colt Hill and Benbrack, returning to the car to listen to the agonising last half hour of the Championship play-off final that saw Burnley back in the Premier League.
My last new Marilyn of the year was in August. I had many opportunities to do more but just could not quite summon up the enthusiasm. Does this mean that Marilyn-bagging lethargy has started to kick in even before I reach 1000?
