The first Marilyn trip of 2010 was in March during the ash cloud - the sky was silent and contrail-free in the Tarrens and on Maesglasau. I had lovely sunsets, a thin crescent moon and Venus whilst camping on the ridge beside the trig on Waun-oer.
In May it was up to Scotland for the summer and a variety of day trips and overnight camps for Munros, Corbetts, Grahams and lesser things in most directions from the boatyard near Oban. Once afloat we went south to Islay and I spent a bivvy night on Beinn Bheigier and its two northerly neighbours. I finished the island with a long sunny day in the far north and also did three on Jura.
In June I took shore leave and the car (shame) over to the east. I camped in Glen Affric, wrestled with the midges and did a selection of Munros, Tops and others. I then retired to a less midgy campsite in Cannich for forays into Glen Cannich and Strathfarrar. Wonderful scenery in the latter - a pity the Munro days there were wet and windy.
A gap then until late July when we were in Helmsdale with the boat where, by bike and train, I did Cnoc na Maoile, Creag Scalabsdale and Beinn Dubhain. I saw merlins for the first time, coming off Beinn Dubhain, and then fell in a stream!
The Marilyn year then finished with Beinn Donachain in mid September after which we went south to other ploys back home.
