As my nearest unclimbed Marilyn is now 290 miles away, trips to Scotland have to be made to count, and there were only five in 2007. 57 hill days in all, staying at 12 different locations, in a mixture of tent, hostel and B&B.
Highlights were my Scottish 1000th on Beinn an Eoin (16F) - a very unpleasant approach with a new deer fence to cross, but a superb walk round to Sgorr Tuath; Dun Caan on Raasay, where I danced a solo reel on the top (like Boswell in 1772), and a trip to Scarba with Andre du Preez. (AD: I've not heard from Roger Boswell for ages; maybe he's getting on a bit now).
Other excellent hills (helped by good paths and weather) were Ben Shiantaidh on Jura, Ben Tianavaig and both Beinn Dearg Mhors on Skye (apart from an atrociously wet return path to Sligachan), Groban (14B) and Ben Hiant (18A). Ben Laga (18A) was a delight, with hill-top lochans and rocks to delight AW.
The summit of Ben Tianavaig (photo: Alan Dawson)
Not such good hills (mainly defined by difficult plodding approaches and weather) were Creag Dhubh (11B) - bracken, hands and knees on ascent; Beinn nan Carn (17C); Dubh Bheinn (20A); Cruach Lusach (19B); Meall Glac Tigh-Fail (14A) - fallen trees and high bracken; and Beinn na Seilg (18A) - wet feet, heather, tussock and bracken. Worst paths encountered were in Gleann a'Chaiginn Mhoir, near Lochbuie on Mull, and by the Allt Daraich, near Glamaig on Skye. My season ended on a sad note with the death of our dog Arran, a lovely companion on over 400 hills. She is sorely missed.
My final Corbett, The Cobbler, still awaits. Having read all the books I will still probably need a companion to get me through the needle. Any volunteers?
