Although my total number of Marilyns was up on last year, I did not tackle many of the more awkward or remote ones that I had hoped to, mainly on account of the weather. There were two particular highlights, both on walks from the Mallaig road. The first was in early May on Glas-charn (10D). After an indifferent week's weather, conditions were so good that I decided to combine it with a re-ascent of Sgurr an Utha rather than descend and climb new lower hills. The second highlight was in early June when I returned to this area to climb Beinn nan Cabar and Sidhean Mor. The path through Glen Beasdale is a bit intermittent and ends suddenly at the Bealach a'Mhama in an area of knolls and small hills. This would be quite a confusing place in misty weather. The key is to head north-east towards a small lochan, from where the best route up the west flank of Beinn nan Cabar can be plotted. There are classic views north across to Knoydart and west out to Eigg and Rum.
The summit of Sidhean Mor (photo: Alan Dawson)
One new area for me was the forested hills around the Dornoch Firth. Beinn Domhnaill (16D) nearly caught me out as I did not consult RHB before setting off. The recent forestry here could have been a problem, but I did have a 2002 library copy of LR21. This showed all the changes, but it marked the summit at NH685966 with a height of 347m. However, when I reached this summit in mist and rain there was no cairn. Returning west I checked every prominence and eventually discovered a cairn at 679967. This in fact is where RHB lists it and is also the marked top on my 1984 copy of LR21.
An orienteering week in the Lake District in August gave me the chance to climb some of the lower hills here in between events. By far the most impressive of these was Low Fell, with its classic view down Crummock Water. After the last orienteering event I planned a quick dash up Hutton Roof Crags before heading home. I had made no prior research but thought there would be an easy route from the minor road to the north-west of the summit. Instead I found myself in head-high bracken and dense thickets. After several attempts I retreated to the road, where I was told about the easy path from the quarry car park on the south side.
