My interest in Marilyns began... when I originally bought the book shortly after publication. I ticked off the hills I had done and then forgot about it as I was collecting Munros and English, Welsh and Irish 2000ft tops at the time. On completing these, I then began collecting the English Marilyns and later graduated to Welsh and Scottish ones. Now I am doing the Highland ones alongside Corbett Tops and a second Munro round.
My favourite Marilyn is... this is like being asked to choose between my children. What a question. Oh go on then... Askival. It is the highest point of my favourite hill-walk in the British Isles, the Rum Cuillin traverse. Poised high above the sea with an eagle-eye view of some of the finest scenery anywhere on the planet.
My least favourite Marilyn is... Swinside. A hill close to home which is jealously private. Not a problem personally as this brings out the elderly anarchist in me and I now get my adrenaline fixes from breaking into army compounds, prisons and the gardens of stately homes and posh country houses rather than by scaring myself scrambling. I do however feel that other people should have the opportunity to visit the summit of this hill for the fine view over a popular area.
Do I keep Marilyn bagging a secret? I am universally regarded as deeply and incurably eccentric, so there would be little point.
I... also passionately collect species of birds, butterflies, moths and dragonflies seen, as well as Scottish football grounds and English grounds where I have watched Coventry City lose.
