I started the year on 908, did 83 new ones during the year and discovered I'd done Glamaig way back in 1994 and not recorded it. I therefore ended up just eight short of 1000, so there was a kind of symmetry to the year. It was also an orderly year in that it began with the 13 Welsh ones, moved on to the 64 Scottish hills with just one English Marilyn intruding, and finished with five English ones.
January saw the lowly but interesting hills in south-west Wales finished, and in chilly April I was camping in mid Wales for Cadair Berwyn, Arenig Fawr, Aran Fawddwy and a splendid day above Barmouth.
Fitting out our boat in Helensburgh began the Scottish ones with a clutch round there. Ferrying the car back south I diverted to Cold Fell in the Pennines. Before rejoining the ship I was camping again, for Ben Cruachan, Beinn Sgulaird and Beinn Fhionnlaidh, plus lesser things nearby. Glen Ure for the latter two was a quiet and attractive spot. Locals responded to my thumb for helpful lifts. Then came sailing in Scotland and a raft of hills up the west coast, including Mullach na Carn on Scalpay, off Skye, at the third attempt. Anchorage off its shore is problematic. And I don't suppose Ben Lee at the entrance to Loch Sligachan is often done from the sea.
In the Outer Hebrides it was cool and cloudy for us but the rest of the UK was basking in sunshine. Clisham was in cloud but there were some wonderful views from Oreval, Uisgnaval Mor, Stulaval and Toddun. Only five more to do in the Outer Hebrides - perhaps this year? On the way back to the Clyde I finally climbed Ben More on Mull, then a diversion to the head of Loch Goil secured Beinn Bheula, Cruach nam Miseag, Beinn Lochain and Stob na Boine Druim-fhinn - all fine hills.
A few days in the Lake District in September brought my Marilyn year to a finish on Scafell Pike.
Scafell Pike and Scafell (photo: Bert Barnett)
