A relatively quiet year, reflecting a rather more rounded and balanced lifestyle, with time out from Marilyn bagging spent in Ireland or racing (trying and failing to cash in on newly acquired veteran status) or just out on the local hills. Umm, perhaps not so rounded or balanced after all.
I started the year's Marilyn haul with the roughest: Cairnsmore and Fell of Fleet (27B), with Benniguinea Hill and Shaw Hill thrown in for good measure. It's a good round, at least in retrospect; a mixture of rough, granite-speckled tops and wild, dark forest. The following weekend, a day sorting out a new computer provided the excuse for a trip to the South Downs and some of the smoothest hills of the year, along with the surreal Crowborough.
A work trip to the north and east of Scotland at the end of February provided an opportunity to grab a couple of smaller hills between blizzards. Unfortunately, skidding on ice leaving Aberdeen ruined plans for the weekend, along with the front of my car. Polished off most of the few remaining 'local' hills, in Powys in March. Gyrn Moelfre's a fine hill; thanks for the tip about the alternative start down the hill from Fron. The paths on Allt-y-Main (30E) were closed due to felling, but there were no signs of activity on a Sunday, so I went up anyway. There was a new bench on top and signs of a broad path coming up from the direction of Glascwm. Fast forward to September, and the approach to Strathfinella Hill was also dotted with 'No unauthorised persons' signs. The forest was deathly quiet so I ignored them, as I assume others would do.
I ventured into potentially more dodgy territory in the shape of Housedon Hill (33) in July. An approach from the north-east, followed by a push for the summit through the cover of the trees, yielded dividends. I did get a mild telling-off coming down Carn na Loine (9A) in May, having had the temerity to leave the track in order to reach the summit. Farm buildings north of Mid Ward (22) had old FMD notices on display. Fine, fine view from the summit of this small hill.
It's hard to explain, but Muirneag (24A) was a hill I'd been wanting to do - rather oddly, it shows up well from Gallows Hill above Stornoway harbour. I approached from the east, over miles and miles of rough bog and moor. After so much hard going, I was looking forward to easier going on the rise to the summit. Well, it was more exposed to the wind, but it still isn't very high, and the vegetation was even deeper. There are plans for a substantial wind farm on Lewis, with 140m turbines that will rise above the Lewis bogs by about as much as Muirneag and Beinn Mholach. Back from the bog, I made a short detour to Traigh Mhor and the best scenery of the day; a spectacular sweep of sand and crashing waves.
Best summit views of the year were from Meall Mheinnidh (14A), late on a May evening when the skies had at long last cleared; glorious views into Carnmore and across Loch Maree to Torridon. My best outing was a combination of Beinn Lair and Slioch on a day when Loch Maree lay grey and sullen below cloud but the summits were basking in sunshine.
Finished the year's Marilyn tally in Cowal in October. What a brilliant area! Hard work, as paths are few and far between, but great views and so quiet.
Muirneag towers above Lewis bog (photo: Richard Webb)
