I had a quiet year as far as Marilyn bagging goes. The first new one wasn't climbed until mid February when a short trip to Mull and an overnight stay in the Craignure Hotel allowed me to climb Dun da Ghaoithe. After breakfast on the Sunday morning, I relaxed with a book waiting for the early ferry from Oban rounding Duart Point when the waitress asked me my plans for the day. When I told her, she advised me that the ferry berths at Craignure on Saturday nights and, if I was quick, I could watch it heading back to Oban.
I was now getting down to the wire on my round of Corbetts and in March had long but enjoyable days on Fraochaidh and Fraoch Bheinn. In April, I climbed Sgurr an Fhuarain from Quoich dam, finding the walk to Glen Kingie a wee bit boggy, but enjoying the hill no less for that. I then attended a last Munro party on Stob Coire Raineach as Peter completed his round two years after his penultimate hill, Sgurr na Ciche.
Leum Uilleim (photo: Jim Fothergill)
There was another party in early May when George finished off his Corbetts with Garbh-bheinn on Skye and I also bagged Belig before the Old Pultney was cracked open as we lazed in the sunshine. Next day, I climbed Arnaval above Glen Talisker and the following week Liz and I were again at the seaside when we climbed North Berwick Law before descending to the town for well-earned poky hats. The next hill was Leum Uilleim on Rannoch Moor where a big crowd joined me in celebrating my completion of the Corbetts. Thanks to all who shared the journey, especially Liz.
No new Marilyns until July when a four-day backpacking trip in the Monadh Ruadh included Cnap Chaochan Aitinn above Glen Avon. It was party time yet again in September, this time in Snowdonia where Mark finished off his Welsh 2000ft hills on Creigiau Gleision. Unfortunately we had rather Scottish weather for this hill.
I finished my year's tally on 27 December when Liz and I worked off some of the white chocolate, cranberry and pistachio bark with a walk up Cairn Table. It's nice to see a war memorial remembering those who lived through the horrors of the first world war, as well as those who fell.
