We are planning to visit Scotland for eight days in either late May or early-mid June 2006. We plan to spend most of the time in the Highlands, and particularly want to see the Callanish Standing Stones on Lewis. We are coming from Chicago so I believe our only direct flight option is Glasgow. We don't plan to spend much time in the cities as we are not that interested in them and have already seen Edinburgh anyway. We will rent a car although it will be our first time driving on the other side.

My main question is whether we should avoid coming to Scotland around the spring bank holiday which coincides with Memorial Day in the U.S.? I was in Wales many years ago on the spring bank holiday and I remember that just about everything was closed, including most of the restaurants and even tourist sites. It was a long time ago so maybe that has changed. Would it be better to go the second week in June instead?

From what I've read, the midges will be biting whether it's May or June so I guess that's not a consideration. Thanks--
Gudrun

Two pieces of good news:- it's not a Bank Holiday in Scotland, so nothing wil be closed; and it's too early for the midges.

Have a great trip. Incidentally, you could fly to Stornoway from Glasgow and hire your car there. That would give you a great option to get used to the driving on quiet- albeit narrow- roads.

Thanks, Sheila. On this Web site, http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publicati...1/bankholidays, it lists May 29, 2006 as the Spring Bank Holiday in Scotland so I'm a little confused but good news that nothing will be closed. I wonder if the tourist sites will be extra crowded, however.

Thanks too for the tip about flying into Stornoway. We were thinking something like that--flying or train maybe--would be a good idea. Narrow roads are okay--we did fine driving on the backroads of Provence. So it's just driving on the opposite side we are used to that will take a little adjustment. The last time I was in Scotland, I didn't drive anywhere. Oh, and good news about the midges too!
Thanks again--
Gudrun

England uses the expression "Bank Holiday" to mean a public holiday. In Scotland it means just that- a holiday for banks. Sometimes it co-incides with public holidays but often it does not.

I shouldn't have used the shorthand expression. Sorry to have confused.

Gudrun, many schools in scotland will have a long weekend May 25-May 30th'06 but it shouldn't affect your trip and everywhere will be open for business. Re;the midges- it's never too early. Be prepared. "skin so softly dry oil spray" made by Avon is used by golfers in Scotland, some of the pro shops even sell it. The midges hate it!

Sheila, thanks for the clarification on bank holidays. If just the banks and schools are closed on May 29, that shouldn't affect our travel plans. I assume the automatic banking machines will still work if someone needs cash. Since I see the airfares from the U.S. are lower if we leave in May rather than June, even on Memorial Day weekend (May 27) here, that's what we'll probably do.

Surfmum, thanks too for the advice on midges. I know a lot depends on the weather and where you travel. We will be prepared for midges just in case.
-Gudrun

Please excuse my dumb question, but what is a midge? Curt Fisher

it's a tiny black biting fly.