My 2014 bagging was concentrated into a three-week May/June period, plus an afterthought on 19 October, though I hasten to add that I did get out in the hills a little at other times. Accompanying Chris Watson on a few more of his remaining Munros took up the bulk of a week in May based at Attadale. Fortunately we had slightly different agendas, so did not have to enjoy each other's company on every walk. Chris's foresight in arranging a lift with the Attadale stalker to Bendronaig Lodge saved a long walk in to Bidein a'Choire Sheasgaich and Lurg Mhor but not a long walk out; it was interesting getting the stalker's views on deer, stalking and hillwalkers. In contrast, trying to follow a very sketchy path on Carn nan Iomairean with Anne Bunn was interesting, on a dull, damp, misty day. On the way down from Fuar Tholl, I videoed Alison Richardson crossing a river; she accomplished it rather more expertly than I had, not only failing to fall in but keeping her feet dry; no fun at all.
A week later, Heather and I were off to Orkney to share a cottage with Jeff and Enid Parr and to be astonished by the number of bulls and the amount of barbed wire. Bird life, archaeology, music sessions and coastal scenery did not disappoint. The three Hoy Marilyns I had to myself, apart from a disturbing bonxie attack for a couple of minutes between Cuilags and Ward Hill and the surprise of meeting a party of walkers, not apparently baggers, at the top of Knap of Trowieglen. Most of the other hills were rather undistinguished, but the wet west coast of Westray made up for that. We greatly enjoyed a boat trip to Eynhallow (Tump) and Gairsay (Hump). Finally, Chris's Munro completion weekend at Drymen was excellent, or at least the evening party was. Ben Lomond and Beinn Uird (I was shamed into adding this) were respectively windy and dull.
Ben Lomond before the deluge (photo: Alan Dawson)
