How's That Scottish Weather?
May 8, 2009 4:42 PM Subscribe
Any Scots here? I'm plotting out a two-week trip in the UK in mid-September. (From the U.S.) Everything I've seen about weather in Scotland is cliche-ridden. So... for the folks who live there, would you spend 5-7 days driving the Highlands at that time, or would you expect the weather to be your enemy? I was last there in early May 15 years ago, and the weather was wonderful.
I'm OK with chilly temps, clouds and misty rain. I'm not OK with downpours and storms coming ashore.
Response by poster: Where am I going? Haven't decided yet. Recommendations?
posted by justcorbly at 7:46 PM on May 8, 2009
posted by justcorbly at 7:46 PM on May 8, 2009
First of all the Highlands are a big place (not in U.S. terms obviously but enough to affect weather possibilities). If you're arriving from Edinburgh or Glasgow then the obvious routes are through Glencoe and the Fort William / Lochaber area and on to the west coast and the islands of Skye and the Outer Hebrides. But the Highlands also run North through Loch Ness and cover Inverness, Cairngroms and arguable the Orkneys and Shetland/
Secondly, if you're not OK with downpours then don't bother coming! The cliche-ridden saying "If you don't like the Highland weather, then just wait a minute" is a cliche because quite simply it's true.
Storms can blow in off the Atlantic regardless of the time of year but places like Inverness sit within their own microclimate and can be warm and sunny while the west coasts get drenched.
I'd agree with Fire&Wings that you head North with an attitude of expect the unexpected. At that time of year you might catch the odd wonderful sunny day but also clouds, low temps and misty rain. If you head to Lewis and Harris you may get a "hoolie", yesterday for example had 70mpm winds and driving rain while Fort William was fine...
Generally though, at that time of year the weather is pretty mild and odds on for some grand days.
If you're driving I'd recommend two possible routes:
1. From Glasgow head up the west coast through the awesome, dramatic Glencoe and on to Skye and the Hebrides.
2. Head north to Inverness (capital of the Highlands) and explore the far North towards John O Groats.
With 5-7 days to spare I can suggest the following itinerary which we covered just last month...
Day one: Glasgow (or Edinburgh) to Inverness. A 3 hour drive to the capital and a stay overnight. Lots of hotels and B&B's to stay, lots of restaurants.
Day two: Drive round Loch Ness area, see area around Inverness.
Day three: Drive North West to Ullapool and catch ferry to Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis. Stay overnight in Stornoway.
Day four: Drive through Lewis to Harris, beautiful scenery, jaw dropping beaches.
Day five: Ferry from Harris to North Uist, explore island.
Day six: Ferry from North Uist to Skye and drive through Glencoe back to Glasgow (amazing 6 hour drive)
Check out Gaelic Rings for similar suggestions.
Whatever you want to do, just go. Pack some waterproofs and a pair of shorts and just enjoy the scenery, people, food and unpredictability.
posted by theCroft at 11:32 PM on May 8, 2009 [1 favorite]
Secondly, if you're not OK with downpours then don't bother coming! The cliche-ridden saying "If you don't like the Highland weather, then just wait a minute" is a cliche because quite simply it's true.
Storms can blow in off the Atlantic regardless of the time of year but places like Inverness sit within their own microclimate and can be warm and sunny while the west coasts get drenched.
I'd agree with Fire&Wings that you head North with an attitude of expect the unexpected. At that time of year you might catch the odd wonderful sunny day but also clouds, low temps and misty rain. If you head to Lewis and Harris you may get a "hoolie", yesterday for example had 70mpm winds and driving rain while Fort William was fine...
Generally though, at that time of year the weather is pretty mild and odds on for some grand days.
If you're driving I'd recommend two possible routes:
1. From Glasgow head up the west coast through the awesome, dramatic Glencoe and on to Skye and the Hebrides.
2. Head north to Inverness (capital of the Highlands) and explore the far North towards John O Groats.
With 5-7 days to spare I can suggest the following itinerary which we covered just last month...
Day one: Glasgow (or Edinburgh) to Inverness. A 3 hour drive to the capital and a stay overnight. Lots of hotels and B&B's to stay, lots of restaurants.
Day two: Drive round Loch Ness area, see area around Inverness.
Day three: Drive North West to Ullapool and catch ferry to Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis. Stay overnight in Stornoway.
Day four: Drive through Lewis to Harris, beautiful scenery, jaw dropping beaches.
Day five: Ferry from Harris to North Uist, explore island.
Day six: Ferry from North Uist to Skye and drive through Glencoe back to Glasgow (amazing 6 hour drive)
Check out Gaelic Rings for similar suggestions.
Whatever you want to do, just go. Pack some waterproofs and a pair of shorts and just enjoy the scenery, people, food and unpredictability.
posted by theCroft at 11:32 PM on May 8, 2009 [1 favorite]
Exactly what theCroft says. Lived there for three years and developed a tendency to carry waterproofs and sunglasses through the summer! The weather itself can be beautiful - to see the rain coming towards you down the glen while you're standing in sunshine is awesome.
The good thing about the wind and the rain, especially if you're out on the West Coast is that it keeps the midges down.
I also like his itinerary, but if I was given the choice I'd go to Orkney rather than the Western Isles, simply because I'm an archaeology nut and the place is lousy with it.
Inverness may be the capital of the Highlands, but it's not a big place. Great summer amusement was always had from tourists wandering to the end of the High Street and realising they had run out of town centre :)
posted by Coobeastie at 1:44 AM on May 9, 2009
The good thing about the wind and the rain, especially if you're out on the West Coast is that it keeps the midges down.
I also like his itinerary, but if I was given the choice I'd go to Orkney rather than the Western Isles, simply because I'm an archaeology nut and the place is lousy with it.
Inverness may be the capital of the Highlands, but it's not a big place. Great summer amusement was always had from tourists wandering to the end of the High Street and realising they had run out of town centre :)
posted by Coobeastie at 1:44 AM on May 9, 2009
Try to include Inverewe Gardens in your itinerary. Warmed by the Gulf Stream, these gardens feature rhododendron bushes as big as buses! Also, the cullin skink (smoked halibut soup) in the little restaurant is to die for.
And in nearby Plockton, you'll find tall palms that will have you thinking you're in Miami.
posted by John Borrowman at 8:55 AM on May 9, 2009
And in nearby Plockton, you'll find tall palms that will have you thinking you're in Miami.
posted by John Borrowman at 8:55 AM on May 9, 2009
I usually find Mid-Sept to be fairly good. Getting cooler at night but nice during the day (probably 15-18deg temps). As a photographer I have to say that the light in September is generally wonderful so you'll get to see the landscape at it's very best.
Best off all the dreaded 'midgie' will be on the way out so you'll not go about waving your hands about your face like a crazy person.
Get a Gore-Tex waterproof jacket and a light fleece and you won't go wrong.
Just remember the immortal words of Billy Connolly: "In Scotland there's no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes"
Enjoy.
posted by cameronfromedinburgh at 10:16 AM on May 9, 2009
Best off all the dreaded 'midgie' will be on the way out so you'll not go about waving your hands about your face like a crazy person.
Get a Gore-Tex waterproof jacket and a light fleece and you won't go wrong.
Just remember the immortal words of Billy Connolly: "In Scotland there's no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes"
Enjoy.
posted by cameronfromedinburgh at 10:16 AM on May 9, 2009
Response by poster: Thanks, guys, for all the advice. Cameron, I'll be hauling around a camera and a lens or two, so it's nice to read that about the light.
Here's my summation of your climatological reports:
Yes, it probably will rain, unless it doesn't. But, it won't rain that much, unless it does.
I think I'll need a hat.
posted by justcorbly at 1:00 PM on May 9, 2009
Here's my summation of your climatological reports:
Yes, it probably will rain, unless it doesn't. But, it won't rain that much, unless it does.
I think I'll need a hat.
posted by justcorbly at 1:00 PM on May 9, 2009
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September is a mix of wet/chilly and clear/brisk, with maybe the odd bright day showing remnants of the summer. Even preparing for the worst, I think a driving tour of the highlands would be absolutely fine. Heavy rain is always a possibility but, freaks aside, you are probably not going to experience weather that will keep you house or hotel-bound or make driving especially difficult. Where exactly are you going?
posted by fire&wings at 5:38 PM on May 8, 2009