Visiting Scotland

Probably July-August, like most cool, moist northern places. Long days, a better chance of getting some fair weather. But expect a variety of weather even in mid-summer, you will get a mix (and expect some bugs if you head out into the land).

There's no bad weather, just inappropriate clothing.

Thanks for your input.

Hi, Linda,

Personally, I'd go for late May until the end of June. Days are really long, especially up north, around the summer solstice. Daylight lasts until around 11 p.m. Then gloaming lasts until about 3 a.m., when the sun comes up again.

Weather can be iffy at any time of the year. I've been over in February during bright sunshine and 60 degree temperatures, and July when it's been cold, wet, and 40 degrees. May and June are usually fairly decent weather wise, with the advantage that peak tourism season is normally July and August. Scotland has become a year round tourist destination, not surprisingly.

If you do decide to travel in July and August, make sure to reserve the majority of your accommodation before you arrive.

Best wishes for your upcoming holiday!

Mike (auchterless)

I would opt for early June before the midge season kicks in. You can get good or bad weather at any time of year. When I was there a couple of years ago, a local said the temperature was the same on the 12 June as on the 12 December (12 degrees).

Over the last month it has been approaching 30 or under 15 at points. Best weather is when there is no 'R' in the month.

No matter what time you choose, plan on rain and cold. You want to think about layers. I have visited in June, July, August, and September. Twice, I have gotten a Scottish suntan. :) Once was on a walk in hills above Ullapool and most recently just walking around Perthshire. I really think that any of those months are great. You'll see fewer people in late August and September and in early June. The heather blooms in August through early September.

But on the same trip last week, I nearly got blown away at the eastern end of Loch Rannoch as the winds of Hurricane Hector swept over Rannoch Moor and down the Loch whipping up incredible surf and then again on the pier at Blackness Castle the wind nearly blew my mobile right out of my hands and into the Firth! But I thought it was marvelous weather because I really escaped any day that was totally a black cloud day. (I bought a gorgeous sweater and was a bit disappointed that I had no need to wear it. ) The one day that looked threatening, I had north and escaped it.

One of the tricks of coping with Scottish weather is to be flexible enough in your plans that you can check the weather and go in the opposite direction of the rain. The mountains and the ocean mean that the weather can be very local and you can escape it. The other thing to remember is that unless a total downpour is forecast, the rain will come and go. It's not continental climate like we have in the US it's more maritime which seems to mean greater variability. You can NEVER let the forecast of showers stop you when you are traveling in Scotland.

Some tips from a person not fond of UK weather.

First, you will often hear, as you did above, "There's no bad weather, just inappropriate clothing." If you don't agree with this, don't come to Scotland, as you'll be miserable. If you do come, adjusting yourself to this mindset will make a much better trip.

You have to be prepared for rain at any time of day and any day of the year, as well as 1000% humidity, which means cool temperatures feel much colder and warm temperatures feel much hotter than the thermometer indicates. What I've found is that wool is problematic, since I may feel like it's 35 degrees, but it's really 50 degrees, and wool makes me roast at 50 degrees. So, I need a cotton sweater and a coat with a liner, along with scarf, earmuffs and gloves. Yes, even when it's 50 degrees; anything less and I was freezing.

Again, until I adjusted to this reality, I was unhappy. Now, I just accept it, and I am pleasantly surprised when the weather is nicer. Of course, on my September 2016 trip to Glasgow, I hit a heat wave! The mornings were cool, but it went up to about 78 degrees by early afternoon. I hadn't brought enough short sleeve shirts - proving my point that you really have to mentally and wardrobe-ly prepare for all kinds of weather, and be prepared to roll with what you get.

My favorite quote about Scottish weather is "summer in Glasgow merely means cheerier umbrellas." Luckily, when I went I had only one day of real rain, meaning the locals were actually using their umbrellas (for mild drizzle, they often don't bother).

Any time you can get there is a good time to go. Weather in the British Isles is always a wild card and I wouldn’t let it stop me from having a good time. We usually go in May or September since it isn’t the hottest time of year, nor the height of tourist season. We generally had good luck with the weather.

We were there in late Sept/early October (to avoid the midges) and we had great weather -- 60s and sunny for most of our trip. We were there for two weeks and I don't think rain impacted anything we were doing, except maybe how far we wanted to walk to dinner at night. But like the others have said, it's a bit of a crap shoot, so just plan to roll with anything.

Thanks to all of you for the good, detailed information from your experiences. Believe me, we won't be deterred by the weather. We are very adaptable and travel with an open mind. Seems like proper clothing for any type of weather is the main thing.

Certainly be prepared in summer for anything. We had our hottest day on record here on Thursday at 32 degrees.

taps aff!

http://www.taps-aff.co.uk/