Adding 15 Marilyns in 2008 will probably not be sufficient to hold on to the coveted 174th position in the Hall of Fame, let alone move up a few places. However, it was a very significant year, as I completed my final two Corbetts. I camped at Shiel Bridge for Sgurr Gaorsaic then drove down to the camp site near Kinloch Rannoch. The final Corbett was Meall na Meoig of Beinn Pharlagain, climbed from Rannoch station on 11 June. There were frequent heavy showers so I decided against adding on two Munros, but it was clear on top. The following day I passed another milestone, my 500th Scottish Marilyn (and 60th Graham), Creag a'Mhadaidh (5). Two km west of this lies Gualann Sheileach, with the same spot height, 612m, which I also climbed. This is not listed as a twin peak in the latest RHB update sheet. (AD: Gualann Sheileach is a top of Beinn Mholach, with a drop of 116m, so it does not qualify as a twin peak, even though it looks like one from the map.)
On my last day I drove to Rannoch station, which is well worth a visit. With its visitor centre and signal box and busy tea room, this must be the best-kept station in Britain. I caught the train across Rannoch Moor to Corrour and walked the ten miles back to Rannoch, reminiscing about my previous visit to Corrour. That was by train from Spean Bridge on 29 May 1982, with Ian McCreath. On that day we climbed my final Munro, Beinn na Lap, followed by Leum Uilleim, which set me off on my journey round the Corbetts. Back at Rannoch I decided there was still time for a Marilyn after all, so drove to Bridge of Gaur to climb Meall Chomraidh, one of the 20 new Marilyns discovered since 1992. The ten-day trip produced 12 Marilyns, and I managed only three others over the rest of the year, all in England. I do have other interests!
