2014 was another year of stop-start hillwalking from my base at Torridon youth hostel.
A fine start to the year with a winter holiday in Edzell brought me entry to the Upper Hall. I set myself a target of less than 500 to go by the end of the year. Mount Keen had the honour of being number 1000 but Hunt Hill, high above Loch Lee, was the finest walk of a very enjoyable week.
I really enjoyed the solitude of Druim na Sgriodain and I hope to explore Ardgour more in 2015. Other highlights were a round of the Affric Corbetts, Carn a'Choire Ghairbh and Aonach Shasuinn, and a traverse of Beinn Sgulaird and An Grianan.
A first visit to Shetland in May, exploring and bagging by tandem bicycle during a week of calm weather, was like a holiday to another world. As usual, I purposely did not try to bag everything, to encourage a return trip. During the second week on the islands I felt my world had come to an end after only ten minutes of the three-hour boat journey to Fair Isle. Three days at the bird observatory were a delight and gave the opportunity to relax and really get to know the island and some of its residents.
In September I was lucky to be on the trip to St Kilda and bagged the tops of Dun, Soay and Boreray. When I started hillwalking and discovered the book I never, in a million years, thought I would get to St Kilda, twice. Thanks to Alan Holmes for making the 2014 trip possible and my companions for making it as fun as it was challenging. Well done to those who returned later in the year to climb the stacks. As wonderful as the place is, I know I will not be going back. Hopefully lots of life to live and lots of other places to go.
A November trip south heading for mid Wales via Cornwall added miles to the van but also gave the wee gem of the year, Worcestershire Beacon in fading light. Sadly, the following day provided the lowlight as Emily and I almost walked into a pheasant-shoot on Seager Hill and were sent back by a keeper.
Regular border raids continued to help break long journeys to see my family in Yorkshire and keep the tally ticking over. Hotel Earnshaw proved to be very hospitable and I did not even have to put my bed sheets in a basket on the way out.
