North of Scotland -- best time to go?

We have visited those areas several times in early June. The weather was lovely - a few showers, but nothing significant - children were still in school so it was less crowded and the midges weren't out yet.

If you want to get the most of your day you can't beat mid-late June. A good 22 hours of bright daylight for wandering. It's hard to remember to go to bed though. By September the days are getting shorter. We have been lucky on three visits ranging from the end of May to the end of June. A wet day here and there but it's Scotland. If you make it to Orkney, The Lynnfield Hotel in Kirkwall is worth every penny of the cost. We spent a week there with a birdwatching tour and they were the most gracious hosts you could ever imagine. The food was out of this world! It is on the edge of town right next to the Highland Park distillery but an easy walk into city center. Have fun!

Any time May to September is great!. I was there in April and got some snow flurries but had no trouble getting a room at the last minute. It starts to be really wet in October and some of the sites are closed for the season. Summer is more crowded, but that is when most of the outdoor festivals occur; just book in advance then.

Have been to Scotland two years in a row and May is a wonderful time to be there. The Isle of Skye is well worth visiting and so easy to drive all over the island. Be sure to eat at the small restaurant that is almost across the road from Talisker Distillery - can't think of the name right now, but food was excellent as was the atmosphere of the pub. We fortunately have friends that we visit in Broughty Ferry Scotland which also has a great beach to walk along the River Tay. Enjoy!

Wonderful, thank you all so much :) I'm actually going to be doing backpacking tour, if all goes well, so I'm really excited. Looks like it's going to be May if the tours start that early. Thanks again :)

We went to those places twice in July - once in 2010 and then again in 2011. Great weather. A bit chilly, but a simple windbreaker/raincoat was enough. We were lucky to get lots of sun, and loved driving around the Isle of Skye, stopping at the key points, taking pictures, etc. Enjoy your trip!

May is a good time to go. My sister and her husband and separately my mom an dad went in May/June. However, both said it was chilly. So,bring warm clothes and layers. Pam

Lovely, thanks so much :)