This is a revised total as, after carrying out a conscientious recount, I discovered five deletions. Not a good year for Marilyns, partly due to a hip problem, but mainly because I had to stay at home to shepherd some Highland heifers I acquired to graze my croft. I set myself the task of preparing and training them to enter the highland cattle show at Oban in October. The handling turned out fine but conformation let us down, forcing us not to show the heifers in the end.
Not a good year weather wise either in the western highlands; apparently Fort William received 330 days of rain in 2011. However, my high point was the completion of 1000 Scottish Marilyns. Having set off for Rannoch station to climb Stob na Cruaiche, I also managed Meall Chomraidh to reach this target.
It was quite nostalgic standing on the railway bridge at Rannoch, watching the train pass below. Fifty years ago to the day, the same train was carrying my school A-level results to Corrour station, where I was working for the estate at Loch Ossian, earning some cash to go to college. Life has never been as carefree since.
Earlier, during a fine spell in July, I managed the two Grahams south of Dalmally, Beinn Bhalgairean and Meall nan Gabhar, and the distant Glen Kinglass hills Beinn Suidhe, Meall Garbh and Beinn nan Lus, which involved a lot of painful cycling. This leaves only three Grahams for 2012.
