Scouring my map for another Marilyn to tackle, I stumbled across Coiliochbhar, a 533m hill in the wilderness between Alford and Kildrummy.
The route is not signposted or way-marked, but follows an off-road track right up to the summit and seemed fairly easy to navigate.
I made this my aim early on a drizzly Sunday morning, and bundled my two dogs into the car.
From Alford I took the road on the right to Miltown of Kildrummy, then right again, across a bridge over the Don. Follow this single-track road to the left and eventually you find a large layby with derelict bothy. This seems the best place to park.
The track starts a few metres along the road on the right. It sets off at a sharp incline and with the dogs both on lead dragging me along, I reached the top of this section in no time.
The path is wide enough for a 4×4 and relatively easy to walk. It curves around the edge of a hill, but I kept going until there was a clear fork. A boulder sits in the centre; you cannot miss it.
There were pheasants running around the track, daring my dogs to chase them. Holding their leads even tighter, I followed the track uphill to the right. It was steep and seemed to climb for quite some time.
This felt like real hillwalking, tiring but satisfying.
Offering amazing views over the Don valley, the path carried on and on, through heathery moorland.
As I got further up the hill the wind and rain picked up enough for me to be thankful I’d stepped out prepared with waterproofs.
The final climb to the top was a big test of my fitness. It looked steep and I was already tired but wanted so much to reach the top, so I summoned strength right from the bottom of my boots and set about realising my goal.
The cairn at the top was a little disappointing for the effort I’d put in, but the views more than made up for it: Bennachie on one side and the Don valley on the other.
I always take a snack – it was banana chips this time – and flask of tea on my walks as I think it keeps you going. And of course I always share with the dogs. Their noses always rummage around my backpack as soon as I stop. It also helps as a bribe to keep two bouncing hounds still for a photo at the top.
The journey back down seemed to fly by. It was a little tough on my knees in some places but much more enjoyable than the ascent.
Getting back to my car, I realised I’d been almost two hours. It felt quicker than that.
I made it home and decided I was going to spend the rest of the day watching Netflix. Both dogs happily snored on the sofa beside me, their legs twitching as they dreamed – probably of chasing those pheasants we saw.