My dad introduced me to the hills and by age seven I had managed winter ascents of Lakeland 900m hills in school Tuf shoes, with father in lace-up gardening wellies. By age 17 I decided the best place for hill-compatible higher education would be Edinburgh, at 21 I managed to get a job in Kendal, and at 22 I started making additional pension contributions to facilitate an early retirement that would be more compatible with time in the hills. Thirty years on, this nirvana has been achieved.
Highlights this year on new ground were a sunny week in the Cowal peninsula in May, a Tomintoul base for surrounding hills in June, and a windy week in November in Moidart. On familiar ground, good weather in June meant that the Strathfarrar hills, the Fannichs and An Teallach were a delight. I also feel I'm getting to know North Wales after three trips.
Sgurr a'Choire Ghlais, Glen Strathfarrar (photo: Alan Dawson)
