Two separate weeks in the Highlands enabled me to bag 31 new Marilyn summits in 2014 - mostly Corbetts and Grahams, with these two categories my main target in Scotland for 2015 and beyond as my tally for each has yet to reach treble figures. With a bike available for both weeks, I focused on bagging remote stuff.
The first week in May, in the Braemar area, was based at a spacious cottage on Mar Lodge estate. I was relieved to cross the Fords of Avon and back to bag Creag Mhor. On my previous attempt to cross the river I had broken a toe in the icy water and had to visit Aberdeen hospital late one Saturday night - not an experience I wish to repeat on either count.
In August, cheap accommodation was offered and accepted at Aviemore. Quick and easy travel on the A9 enabled some trips further afield from an area where I have climbed most of the hills. This included a long day up Glen Bruar for the remote and prized Beinn Bhreac, passing the construction site of the major hydro-electric scheme which is seriously disturbing that lovely remote glen.
A journey to the cross-channel ferry at Dover in June provided an opportunity to bag two of the Kent Marilyns - Detling Hill and Cheriton Hill - leaving 17 more English ones unclimbed.
