My interest in Marilyns began... after I had climbed all the Munros and Corbetts within easy reach of our home (Inverness) in 2001. I discovered the RHB website and realised that there were lots of unclimbed lower hills which were not too far away.
My favourite Marilyn is... Ben Wyvis, if the number of ascents is anything to go by. However, leaving Ben Wyvis aside, I would probably choose Sgurr nan Ceathreamhnan - a fine sharp summit, a remote location, alpine when under snow and ice; a serious mountain.
My least favourite Marilyns are... any hill which is covered in closely-planted conifers, and which has an ill-defined summit area.
Do I keep Marilyn bagging a secret? I do not advertise my Marilyn bagging, but then I do not advertise the fact that I am working my way through the Corbetts and Grahams either. Folk who are not keen on ticking lists do not understand the attraction of it, so there is no point confusing them. My long-suffering wife, Sue, knows about my list-ticking, but just shakes her head in pity.
I... am a Reader in the Church of Scotland, which means that I take church services in various places in the Highlands - usually about once a month at the moment. I have been known to change out of suit and tie after a service and head off up a nearby hill before heading back home. The hills are where I get inspiration. I also work part-time as a mountain guide, but have yet to find a way of combining these two activities. Anyone want a worship service conducted on top of a remote peak somewhere?
