MARHOFN 171.09

Strangely Strange But Oddly Normal

Beinn Bhreac (1E, LR56)

Michael Curtis: A strange event occurred as I came off Beinn Bhreac into Glen Douglas. This is where there is an MOD establishment buried in bunkers on the south side of the glen, on the slopes of Doune Hill. Halfway down the slope the peace and quiet was shattered by a booming tannoy announcement 'Could Mr Carter please contact reception. That's Mr Carter please contact reception'. Not what I was expecting at all.

Sgribhis-bheinn (16A, LR9)

Jon Metcalf: Midges so dense and voracious that I almost forgot the risk of being blown to bits by stray ordnance.

Warning sign on the Cape Wrath range (photo: Bert Barnett)

White Top of Culreoch (27B, LR83)

Simon Smith: This is the kind of hill you climb solely to get a tick in the book. Even if the top wasn't covered in trees I don't think there'd be much of a view. As we approached the top on a cold, drizzly day, I was asking myself what on earth I was doing up there when I could have been climbing a more normal hill somewhere else. Anyway, we headed for what looked like the summit, and sure enough there was a pile of twigs, which at first I thought marked the top. Upon closer inspection however, the twigs were actually an arrow pointing towards another tree-covered knoll, which was the proper summit. The fact that someone else had 'suffered' White Top of Culreoch and taken time to make an arrow lifted my mood considerably. As I can't believe anyone other than Marilyn-baggers would climb this hill, I felt a real sense of camaraderie with our unknown benefactor.

Moel Hebog (30B, LR115)

Andy Hyams: In autumn 2006 there were extensive works in Beddgelert Forest to extend the Welsh Highland Railway. Tracks I had intended to use were sealed by high fences and are clearly destined to become the rail track bed.

Ward's Stone (36, LR102)

Jon Metcalf: Take great company to avoid sleepwalking. If you make a circuit via Tarnbrook and Emmetts at least the carved stone Wyre Way markers offer some interest.

Butser Hill (42, LR197)

Donald Irvine: For sheer exhilaration laced with a touch of knee-trembling excitement, why not try Butser Hill diretissimo - that is, direct from Petersfield railway station, following the straight line of the right of way through the tunnel beneath the railway line, and then across the Petersfield by-pass or A3 London to Portsmouth trunk road. This route is not for the faint-hearted, providing the greatest adrenaline rush during early evening in late November. Judging the speed of traffic in poor visibility and when wet underfoot is extremely tricky, requiring considerable skill gained only after years of experience of urban living. Heaven knows what it would be like in full winter conditions. Luckily for me the return was made safely by following an as-yet-unmarked track from SU722203 to 728213 and then by an underpass and the B2070.