2015 was another year of slow but steady Marilyn-bagging progress.
Stayed near Portree on Skye for a week at Easter, climbed some fine coastal hills (Ben Tianavaig, Sithean Bhealaich Chumhaing), and had a good long jog along the whole Trotternish ridge. Brisk winds meant less kayaking than we had hoped for but I did manage to paddle to Tarner and Harlosh islands and various obscure Sibs in Loch Dunvegan.
Made the long drive north again three weeks later, this time for five days finishing off the Black Mount and other relatively southern hills near Inveraray. Took the lazy option and used the forest drive to get close to Beinn Dubh Airigh in bad weather; regretted it later when the car got a flat tyre on the descent. Should have cycled.
An even shorter break back at home and then another 800km drive, primarily for sea-kayaking this time. Paddled round Raasay from Portree, unfortunately with non-baggers who did not understand my desire to keep hopping out of the kayak on every island to ascend the high point. Did manage the Rona Hump from our camp there and a longer-than-expected run up Dun Caan from the harbour on Raasay. More paddling on Loch Torridon interspersed with ascents of fine hills like Beinn Shieldaig and Seana Mheallan.
Late August and a fourth Scotland trip, finishing off the fringes of the Cairngorms with the aid of a mountain bike. Able to ride all the way up several hills including Cook's Cairn and Carn Daimh - up on forest tracks before descending the Glenlivet red route - six kilometres of single-track fun. On the last morning I contrived an enjoyable duathlon challenge in the Trossachs. In the unlikely event that anyone else fancies having a go, here it is: buy a four-hour car park ticket at the east end of Loch Katrine; cycle 14km along the edge of the loch (not as flat as you would think); walk/jog round the circuit of An Garadh, Stob an Duibhe and Meall Mor (Marilyn) - a rough, tussocky nine kilometres with 900m+ of ascent; cycle 14km back. My total time was 3 hours and 59 minutes.
And that was it for Marilyns, though the OMM mountain marathon in the Tweedsmuir hills at the end of October did allow an opportunity to drag an unsuspecting partner over Pykestone Hill (it was more or less on the optimum route, honest) to reach the landmark of 2000 Humps.
The benefit of hindsight (photo: Martin Richardson)
