Half of my effort last year was on three trips to the Southern Uplands (the more accessible Eastern end). However, the most memorable experience is one I'd probably prefer to forget - a seven-hour ferry to Barra in a force-ten gale. With lots of green faces, and bottles hurtling across the cabin, I was never more glad to reach land. Some fellow passengers had endured the crossing just to spend the evening listening to the Vatersay Boys in the local bar before heading back the next morning. I opted for an early night in a bed that still seemed to be tossing on the waves. The endurance proved worthwhile, as the next day I had a splendid walk in sun and snow showers. It took me from Vatersay to Castlebay over two of Barra's Marilyns and several beaches between. I found that Beinn Tangabhal had the best view of Barra's peaks.
In June I finally reached the Ullapool Munros, which I traversed in three days with a tent. The evening I spent at Glenbeg bothy it rained a lot, so I was glad to be inside. After several hours I heard a roar, looked out of the window and watched a wall of water flood the waterfall and turn the burn from a trickle to an uncrossable torrent in just a few seconds. The next morning normality had been restored for my walk out to Aultguish.
