My interest in Marilyns began... by bagging Munros, followed by Corbetts, followed by Grahams in that order catalysed by my reluctance to drive great distances.
My favourite Marilyn is... for 2012, Carn Duchara. It was my local Marilyn and has many different qualities including the masochistic challenge of forestry plantations lower down, a rugged character higher up and fantastic views back inland. Most striking of all, however, are the views to the west including Jura and especially Scarba.
There is nothing better than finding an amazing line through the Scottish hills - using the list all you have to do is join the dots. For example, the real Cononish round including Fiarach, Beinn Chuirn and Meall Odhar as well as the usual suspects; a circuit including Na Maoilean, Beinn Bhreac and south to Beinn Duirinnis; a circumnavigation of Loch Lyon that nearly killed me; Morven, Scaraben, Smean, Maiden Pap.
Scarba (photo: David Raffe)
I got pulled over by three police cars simultaneously on the way back to Inverness for wearing a white t-shirt having been mistaken for a robber. They began to suspect otherwise only after discovering some particularly smelly running kit in the boot of my car. There are lots more memorable lines, even more memorable days out and many different reasons to find different hills appealing in their own right. So difficult to choose one.
My least favourite Marilyn is... Hoove; I did not really notice it was there. But it is a Marilyn so whilst it was not my favourite, it still counts. Since discovering relativity, however, I am forever irked by the presence of non-Marilyn Munros. I do not understand the purpose of their existence, but feel the need to bag them nonetheless. Why?
Do I keep Marilyn bagging as a secret? No, I rant and rave about it, get the mickey taken out of me for it and I frequently declare that she is better than anyone's wife.
I... have played the piano since the age of nine.
