Scotland - Better to Go in May or September??
 

We had started planning a trip Scotland (with a few days in England) in May 2004 with another couple. However, due to some complications on their end, we are now thinking about going in September.

Is one month better than the other? If so, why?

Thanks!

Hi betty,

Both are fine, although The Old Queen used to go in the Summer.

Thanks, Ira. Anybody else have an opinion?

It depends on where you are going and how early in September. I was in the Highlands in the second week in September and there were midgies around although they were nowhere as numerous as they are in August. We normally go in May before they hatch.

Funny Sylvia mentions midges - my experience was the exact opposite. I went once to the highlands in May and midges were everywhere, clouds of them. When I went in September - no midges. Can anyone from Scotland tell us when midges are usually a problem ??? I was planning my next trip there for a September largely to avoid midges - now I am re-considering. BTW for bettyk - one huge advantage to spring travel are the VERY long days - it is so nice to be able to go for a long walk in daylight after dinner. Also for bettyk - midges are really only a significant problem in the highlands.

You're more likely to get midges in September than May; but so much depends, and neither should be bad. This year hasn't been bad because it's been so dry. We don't get midges much in the east- they're a west coast phenomenon.

If it's early May versus early September, I'd go for September. If late May versus late September I'd go for May; If it's late May versus early September I'd still go for May.

Thanks all. Our May trip was being planned for May 8-21; haven't looked at dates yet for September. It's weird trying to plan your vacation around midges. Guess I never realized they were that much of a problem!

We plan to spend 2 days in Edinburgh and then 4 or 5 days driving around -- mainly the Highlands, the Trossachs and Perthshire area.

Thanks again for the helpful advice.

The Trossachs and Perthshire are not big midge areas. Put them from your mind and worry about the weather:)

Thanks a lot Sheila - I think I am going to change my plans from September to May.

I've been to the areas you mention in early September and late May and thought the weather and crowds were better in May, so that would be my suggestion. I was suprised this past May how nice it actually was. While we saw bits of rain from day to day, it was nothing like the cold and pouring rain of early September a few years back. But of course, weather is always a crap shoot in the UK.

Thanks, all. If possible, I think we'll try to stick to our original plan to go in May. Besides, I don't know if I can wait until September. I'm ready to go NOW!

Went in September and it was beautiful. Sunny and crisp!

All I can say is we went in September and it was beautiful weather.