My husband and I would like to visit Scotland this year and do some walking in the highlands as well as visit my ancestral home on the Isle of Skye. When is the best time of year to go?

Nothing weather-wise is guaranteed for sure - but in general the best times for hiking/walking would be mid May through late June/early July and September.

In the height of summer - late July/August - you will find more crowds, probably more rain, more midges, and more expensive airfares.

Plus if Edinburgh is in your plans even for just a couple days August is very, VERY crowded, many places are already booked up, and most will have a 3 night minimum.

I always go either in May or mid September.
You can't rely on the weather, so just take warm clothes, good boots and a good quality waterproof jacket.
Many's the time I have started off with all that gear only to transfer it gradually to my rucksack. The weather can suddenly become beautiful after a dull start.

Unfortunately midges can still be a problem in May & September. Something else to bear in mind is that the days are at their longest in June.

Not August, the wettest month.
Not June, the midgiest month.
May is good.
You cannot guess the weather.
We experienced 40F and horizontal rain in Glencoe in early August. When our son hiked the West Highland Way in late May and early June, he carried full winter gear for the possibility of snow in the same area. He wound up wearing his only pair of shorts for most of the trip.
MissPrism is correct.

"We experienced 40F and horizontal rain in Glencoe in early August."

Aye, it must have been a fine day!

My wife and I hiked in Scotland the last two weeks of May and encountered everything from glorious sunshine to sleet driven by winds that would topple Hercules. The only thing we did not have to endure were the midges, but I'm sure their season fluctuates from year to year.

I don't know if it is still there, but in the Aviemore tourist office there were two pictures side by side: the first was of a group of tourists in shorts eating ice cream on the streets of Aviemore; the second was of a group of hikers almost obscured by blowing snow, bundled over a map trying to get their bearings near the summit of one of the Cairngorms. These pictures were taken the exact same day in June of a year I did not write down. The moral of the story—be prepared, and if not, at least be prepared to eat ice cream.

My wife and I are planning a walking trip to Scotland in late June - early July this year. We also plan to spend time walking on Skye, thanks to the advice on another thread on this board. I stumbled on this gem regarding the weather while doing some online research:

"There is a saying in Scotland that 'there is no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothing'; a philosophy that should be borne in mind ..."

Here is the page:
http://www.cairngorms.co.uk/park/weather.htm

Thanks for all the tips. Having lived in northern Michigan for many years we're pretty used to weather changing rapidly!!! But the midges are a different story. Do I understand correctly that May and early June are generally pretty safe? We love to walk, but not when it's terribly bug infested.

Midges are pretty much a feature of the west, and, notwistanding caroline's protestations, you really don't get them much before mid July (you can, but it would be unusual).

They are an irritation rather than life threatening. Mind you they can be a SERIOUS irritation

Hi Sheila. I've personally been forced indoors by midges in mid-June (in Glencoe & at Altnaharrie) & my SIL found them a big problem in May at Loch Awe - but I have to bow to your superior knowledge of the countryside, so maybe those were unusual years.

P.S. Is August really the wettest month in the Highlands ? It certainly doesn't seem so here.

The best time to walk in Scotland is during the Scottish Summer. Last year this fell between the 3rd and 7th of August.

But seriously be aware that the weather can change in a blink. You should be equiped for bad weather. Let where ever you're staying know where you are and when you'll be back.

Mountain Rescue are great... but not there just to guide people down off mountains so make sure you take a route to your ability.

If you're going to Sky in July August take plenty of insect repellant... and if it becomes too much head for the East Coast!

But most of the other posters have covered this.

Thanks for all the advice. We reconsidering the trip. We'll probably still go before June, but are looking at other options to walk in other places and then use a car in Scotland . . .but it's always been my dream to walk in the highlands so we'll see . . . .I'd never even heard of the midges so the advice has been terrific.

on a lighter side --- its a free country and one can take a walk anytime!