Best time for Scotland?
 

Hello,<BR><BR>Can anyone tell me when is the best time between May and September to visit the Fife region of Scotland?<BR><BR>I've heard that Scotland suffers from many midges. Is this in specific areas or all over? Is it at particular times of year?<BR><BR>We're hoping to take the dogs for a holiday at Dog-days and as we're going to be travelling all the way from down south we want to make sure everything is as "perfect" as we can get it!! And I hate midges!!!!!<BR><BR>Thanks,<BR>Gytha

We just got back from a trip where we were in Scotland from 8/31 - 9/7 and it was absolutely wonderful. No problem with midges.

Don't worry at all about midges in Fife -- it's pretty much a Midge-Free Zone. They arrive in the summer, but they like the highlands and the west coast in summer where there's lots of wet and uncultivated land.

Any time between May and September would be fine. But you'll do well to avoid August - the crowds from Edinburgh will impact many parts of Fife.<BR><BR>That being said, My fav times on the east coast would be mid-June or early to mid September.<BR><BR>And as already explained - you won't likely see a midge

From an unsophisticated Californian_____what are these midges I heard about in Fl and parts of Europe? Are they mosquitoes?

Kam, from another unsophisticated Californian...<BR><BR>Midges aren't identical to mosquitoes (I don't know whether they're related), but the famed biting variety in Scotland are even more vicious. They come in big swarms, and bite like the devil. Comparable to blackflies, if you've ever encounted them in the northern US.<BR><BR>Their reputation has taken on mythic proportions. There's lots of info on the web, if you really want to look at their lovely larvae and so forth. There's even a popular book called something like "The Midges of Scotland."

What time of year do you have to worry about them? We're going in the third week of November.

No sweat, they don't stick around past the first frost.

(Have the midges hijacked this thread??)<BR><BR>Just FYI, midges love the damp and don't like strong sun or windy conditions. So mornings and evenings in wet valleys or wooded areas can be the best time to make their acquaintance.

Midges start at the end of May,worst at sunset near bogs on windless days, some years are worse than others.Not really a problem unless you want to camp in the heather.If you are the type they go for, be careful around sunset.<BR>Best anti-midge cream on sale here is Jungle Formula.

Best time to visit Fife in my opinion is June/July - that's when the best weather and the longest days tend to be (at least they were when I grew up there!)<BR><BR>Also midges don't really affect Fife in any great way, any more than most places. You should be OK most of the time, and personally I don't think they're quite as vicious as people make out!

Went to the Isle of Arran, and the only time we experienced midges were at dusk. The rest of the time we didn't see any.<BR><BR>We went at the end of August, and although we didn't plan it that way, were told that was a great time to visit the popular tourist spots. The weeks before our visit were very crowded, apparently.

Are midges harmful or just a nuisance? Do they spread disease? Do you use the same DEET repellant as for mosquitoes? Am planning a trip to the Hebrides and Inverness and don't know which time of year would be best. Thanks.

May-early June is a great time for the brilliant yellow gorse flowers. And mid-August to mid-September features the purple heather.<BR><BR>Regards,<BR><BR>Jinx Hoover

Thanks for the info. we can be midge free then. Does anyone know about "DogDays" holidays? Also self-catering or B&B accommodation in the Anstruther area - allowing dogs to stay too of course?

You might try Mackay's www.mackays-scotland.co.uk.<BR><BR>They are a good, large agency with self catering properties all over Scotland. I don't knoe if thet have any IN Anstruther, but they have some in several of the east Neuk fishing villages including Crail, etc.<BR><BR>Another good source is Stillwell's. They aren't an "agency"as such. More a catalog for privately owned places - you deal directly with the owners so they tend to be a little less expensive. Since you are in the UK you should be able to find their Holiday Cottage guide in a good news agent or book store.