Scottish hill over 900m: Not easy, but eventually I decided on Ladhar Bheinn. It was aided by the fact that it is only one peak. Beinn Sgritheall is also a favourite, but the presence of the lovely Coire Dhorrcail on Ladhar Bheinn, with its natural woodland, isolation, difficulty of access and fine stalkers path, eventually tipped the balance. I love Ben Nevis and Bidean nam Bian, but they are often quite busy, and that meant that they didn't get my top place. I also love the Cairngorms, my home stomping ground for now, particularly Braeriach and the beautiful, mossy source of the Dee, but I just can't find myself awarding any one of them the top spot. For me, views of lochs, preferably sea lochs, feature in all my favourites.
Scottish hill 600-899m: I really wish we'd been allowed to choose a Corbett and a Graham. I went through the same process as with the hills over 900m, and emerged with my top three as Sgurr nan Eugallt (10B), Druim Fada (10A) and Askival (17D). Druim Fada wins. The summit views are stupendous, the summit ridge is a wild, remote, unfrequented paradise of undulating delight of rocks and lochans. Red-throated divers breed there and eagles soar nearby - magical.
View west from the fallen trig on Druim Fada (photo: Alan Dawson)
Scottish mainland hill under 600m: I had only done a selection of these hills and some, such as the dreaded Brown Muir and Mount Eagle, were quickly dismissed. Again I found myself heading to the west. After much deliberation, I decided on tiny Beinn Mhor (19A). A pleasant, easy walk, a lovely grassy summit and glorious views which would be hard to better.
Scottish island hill under 600m: This was just agony! There are so many great hills in this category. Mullach Mor on Rum is a favourite, but it was discounted on account of its almost impregnable bastions of dense, often prickly, predatory insect-infested, bog-laden vegetation. I have a suspicion that had I been to St Kilda, one of its hills might take my prize. Beinn Sciathan (24C) and Beinn na h-Iolaire (17A) came joint second in my list, since the walking on them is easy and the views from the top superb. I have not yet managed to get a decent view from the summit of my chosen favourite, despite having scaled its slopes several times. When really good weather beckons and I am based at the JMCS hut at Loch Coruisk, I always end up heading for the main Cuillin ridge armed with a rope and jangly bits. But I know enough to sense that Sgurr na Stri on a good day, for me, couldn't be beaten.
Gars-bheinn and Sgurr na Stri (photo: Alan Dawson)
