A busy year, with 27 islands visited, including the Isle of Man, and three centuries reached: 700 on Bishop Wilton Wold (37), 800 on Beinn an t-Sidhein (1C) and 900 on Moncrieffe Hill (26).
Highlights: A visit to Shetland using public transport, making use of ample bus services early in the morning. Overnight ferry allowed an early trip to Noss, where landing is at the discretion of the warden, who ferries one from Bressay following the appropriate wave to attract his attention. Despite many attempts, fulmar chicks failed to have me stinking. Ward of Bressay varied the return trek. Why does the grazing between Fitful Head and Ward of Scousburgh have to be in 100-metre strips? It means a lot of barbed wire to negotiate.
Hill of Arisdale is readily claimed as one travels north over Yell. On Unst there is a non-scheduled service north as the bus returns to its depot. It gives you time to visit Keen of Harmer nature reserve and unusual bus stands before continuing north. I did not get arrested inside MoD property on Saxa Vord or climbing the barriers on Valla Field. Hermaness nature reserve is well worth a stroll, including the sighting of Muckle Flugga lighthouse (not quite the most northerly point, as Out Stack lies beyond).
Fetlar was planned for a bus-free Sunday. Strictly speaking I was not permitted, despite being a RSPB member. However I completed a good circuit without encountering one of the 100 natives. The bus south allows one to alight at Voe (pack left at stores) for a circuit of the ridges to include Scalla Field, before an evening bus goes to Hillswick (B&B with jacuzzi highly recommended). The tall chamber near the summit of Ronas Hill was missed in the dense cloud, but I found it on the descent. The return journey to Lerwick was broken at Brae (pack left at stores) for Dalescord Hill and Muckle Roe (linked by bridge).
Twenty-four hills visited in all, with many tops cloud-covered from island micro-climates and bombarded by bonxies. Besides hills, there is an abundance of flowers, birds, museums, stained windows and archaeology to keep one busy. I hope to return to visit islands under 500 feet.
Disappointments: Failing to get to Lundy Island after paying twice (refunded) - the new pier cannot handle the boat in an east wind; failing to land on Pabbay (24D) for the second year was compensated by spotting corncrakes on a revisit to Eriosgaigh. Fair Isle was also a huge disappointment due to MoD archaeology, though entry was made to both lighthouses.
Worst expeditions: 2500 motoring miles and 43 hills, starting with Turner's Hill (West Midlands), taking in sections 39, 40, 41 and 35B, and finishing on North Berwick Law, although north of the Humber Bridge was a pleasure. I was returning to my roots but I agree with all that has been said about Dundry Down. No problem locating the moss-covered trig point or highest point on Staple Hill (41). The problem was navigating the lanes from Glastonbury Tor, where in my teens I took part in the annual pilgrimages. Trouble-free access to Carnmenellis (40) by starting 50 metres from the forbidden track; glad it was April, not during full vegetation growth. Hensbarrow Beacon was followed by circumscribing the tops of spoil. I hope I have selected the correct ones when the update comes! The best challenge was the tors of Dartmoor, while the Watch Croft ridge prove satisfactory.
On Kintyre I followed Rob Woodall's ascent of Sgreadan Hill (see Marhofn 84) but coming off, oh dear, the cloud came down, I got a different re-entry to the forest and knowingly stumbled out 2km east of the car and non-driver Mary.
