When is the best time to visit Scotland

volver

Its interesting this focus on midgies... I've lived here most of my 60 years and the threat of midgies has never entered my mind.

Its a bit like Australia and spiders!

I think if you are born and brought up someone you become immune to midge or gnat bites.

Spiders know how to target visitors

I was also amazed by this idea that Scotland is teeming with midges, though I do understand some people react badly to them. I've never found midges to be more of a problem in Scotland than in England or Wales.
One thing certain, you won't see any mossies like you do in the south of England now.
The queen seems to manage, what times of year does she usually go?

Its interesting this focus on midgies... I've lived here most of my 60 years and the threat of midgies has never entered my mind.

Its a bit like Australia and spiders!

I am usually in Scotland in .June, missing it so much. I love the light nights and am well practiced at midge avoidance.

Edinburgh for history, definitely. Tourists are all year but even more during August.
On the other hand there's the book festival... I'm browsing the catalogue now.
www.edbookfest.co.uk/

DH is a part time tour guide in St Andrews. Definitely not all golf! Well, it is at the moment...

St Andrews is s a very interesting place to visit too. Just wandering about the streets is lovely. It's not all golf!

Thread part 2 - historic buildings!

I'd recommend Stirling Castle, I prefer it to Edinburgh, not least because its less crowded. But Edinburgh is full of historic buildings and definitely worth visiting. And no midgies

Many thanks for all the helpful replies. It seems May or September are the best times. I enjoy lovely scenery but am also interested in historic buildings - which is why I am thinking about taking a coach tour which will give me an idea of which places I would want to return to. Again thank you all

All year round - there's always something to see and do, depending on what you're interested in. And we natives don't bite...(just the midges!)

Watching Springwatch - I'm tempted to go right now to see those puffins on Mull. Amazing wildlife if that's what you are interested in.

Most B&Bs already adhere to existing legislation around sharing homes. Guest houses are already licensed as are pubs with rooms.
The legislation is aimed at preventing the further proliferation of short term let flats and houses that reduce the number of homes available for locals and greatly increase reduce life quality for occupants in other flats. It's a scourge in Edinburgh.

The midges get bad in my garden never mind holiday spots. As others have said, narrow down your wish list and have a wonderful time.
Some of my favourites: Fife coast, Dornoch firth, isles of Jura and Colonsay.
My friend is just back from Kinlochbirvie with a suntan.

Last year we rented a fabulous cottage in Dumfries & Galloway for the first week of July. Someone told us that being south the midges not too bad. They were OK by the coast but one evening we bbqd and got bitten to death, we also left the bathroom window open one evening and I had to spray the room then sweep up the bodies. Weather gorgeous though, Daughter in Norfolk had a cold and wet week.

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We went to Dumfries and Galloway last September. We had a beautiful week the weather was perfect for walking. We visited all the gardens we could find in the area.
We went on a coach trip the November before covid. Christmas in the Trossachs. Good weather there too, cold but fine.

Got married in Scotland at the end of August, 1999. Sunny day. Lovely. Next day, so cold I bought a Jumper at a woollens shop and kept it on all honeymoon.

Scotland is gorgeous but the weather can be a tad unpredictable ?

It does effect small b&b as well, my friend is having to close his. There is a fine line between AirBnB and small B&B

Ordinary B&Bs are OK it's the dreaded AirBnBs that are being curbed and not a moment too soon.
Please support the old fashioned B&Bs. They offer great value.

Due to the introduction of the Short Term Lettings legislation in the Spring by the Scottish Government lots of b&b are closing down so you will want to book early. This was introduce to solve some of Edinburgh’s problems but has resulted in too high costs for small places.

Perthshire is worth visiting. Pitlochry has a lovely theatre and beautiful scenery, as does Dunkeld. Perth itself has some nice shops and eating places. I would suggest you look at finding somewhere to stay as availability isn't guaranteed and costs can be high. Edinburgh is heaving during the festival. Definitely September as it can still be warm and the schools have gone back.

Granny23

^I get bitten rotten by midges, I have tried every spray you could think of^

I have given up relying on the sprays and instead take a one a day antihistamine for the duration. Still get bitten but no itching.

Yes, someone advised me to do that as any bitey insect makes a beeline for me
(Yes, I know bees sting!)

I second May and September but October can be spectacular. The colours are beautiful and the weather can be surprisingly good. Golden days. Also fewer tourists. I like October in Edinburgh as I always feel like we've got the city back from the hordes of tourists.

We went to Dumfries and Galloway one June it was lovely and mild.

Late May it's a good time for the West Highlands, we often have good weather it's slightly quieter than once the kids have broken up at the end of June here. Rhododendrons and gorse bushes are in full bloom looking glorious and the gorse smells amazing on the breeze. For midge repellent I highly recommend Mary Jean midge lotion. It's all natural, has a pleasant smell, is kind to the skin and it works! I don't know if it's sold in any of the shops, I get mine online.

September is also good because it's usually still warm & you have such lovely colour all around with the leaves turning. Depends what you're looking for really

Oh and go in September once the school kids have gone back after the summer break. Bliss!