A very disappointing year, primarily because I have still not fully recovered from my prostate operation at Christmas 2010. Nothing at all was possible until April, when the sunshine which turned out to be our summer tempted me out to Maovally and Deadh Choimhead.
A huge disappointment was not getting to St Kilda despite signing up for a six-day cruise with Murdo MacDonald on MV Cuma. A relentless procession of deep Atlantic lows in May and early June put paid to our plans, but at least we reached Scarp and Taransay. We were lucky as the group the week before never even got out of Loch Roag.
My bus-pass trips to Skye provided two very contrasting experiences. Beinn na Seamraig has a delightful approach and is a great viewpoint, whereas the lower slopes of Beinn na Greine above the Braes junction deserve worse than wee shite status - clear-felled tree trunks and brashings, all hidden under shoulder-high bracken and willow herb. The air was blue with expletives.
A rare dry day in October enabled Hill of Fare and Cairn William to be climbed, my last two Marilyns east of home and north of the Dee. Summer weather returned in the first half of November and gave some good days, notably on An Staonach. December's gales eased off on two mornings to allow an ascent of Beinn Dubhainn and, for the first time ever, a Marilyn, albeit a repeat, on Christmas Day.
