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Pros and cons of May v September for Scotland

We had been planning a trip with friends to Scotland for May next year, but now due to a college graduation they’ve asked that we move the trip to September. I’m wondering whether to do this or postpone until the following spring.

I know there will be much more daylight in May. Is the weather likely to be any warmer or about the same? What about the midge situation? Do things close down or offer restricted hours after summer ends?

Very tentative itinerary would be to spend a few days in Edinburgh and then take a train to Fort William, pick up a car, and spend a few nights somewhere in the Glencoe area. Our friends have never visited the highlands and want to do hiking, mountain biking, and just experience staying in the Highlands. They are also interested in taking the steam train.

After the first week our friends will leave and we plan to spend a second week spending a few days on Skye and a few days somewhere else (maybe another island or travel to Inverness and take a Rabies tour further north).

Any input on pros and cons for both times of year would be really helpful. Thanks!

Posted by
2299 posts

You will get slightly longer days in May. You will also get the spring flowers and everywhere will feel a lot greener and fresher. In September you should still have some heather in flower on the hills.

July and August are the worst time for midges. In May thay are still hatching out and by September the worst is over...

Posted by
1295 posts

I think either would be lovely. Here on Skye it certainly starts to quieten down a little once the school kids go back in late August (Scotland) and early September (the rest of the UK). Weather is usually fine and midges shouldn't be a problem in either month.

For mountain biking there is a centre with trails at Laggan Wolf Trax, which might be worth exploring. There are also trails in the Nevis range near Fort William.

Posted by
1519 posts

We traveled in Scotland in September and it was just right for us: not hot and not cold. Great for hiking and climbing castles with a sweater and light rain jacket. It does start to rain closer to October. Statistically Sept has better weather than May. In a Marine Climate the clouds fly by and then you have sun breaks. You are at Fall Equinox; so in theory day and night are even, except you are further north so it starts to be darker sooner every day. On rainy days you can always visit a distillery or a great museum! Bon Voyage!

Posted by
7166 posts

I’ve been in both May and late September into October and can’t say I preferred one over the other. On both trips light jackets were needed. There were more flowers in bloom during the May trip.

Posted by
765 posts

The climate data shows May to be drier than Sep. We've been in Scotland three times in May and have only had two days with rain out of 49. We love puffins, so that's always been the clincher for us. The longer days extend the time to see and do. Whether you postpone a trip when you never know what will happen the next year is another matter. I didn't go to my own graduation, so I wouldn't have ever faced that problem.

https://weatherspark.com/countries/GB/SCT