Scotland, motorcycles, best time of year?

[rufusgti]

As per title really, what are the best months to travel around Scotland for 3 or 4 days riding. Thinking of flying to Inverness and hiring bikes.
Presuming there's some great roads heading off from there but not researched anything yet.
Any advice much appreciated.

[Jazoli]

May or September has been good to me in the past.

[Terzo123]

Scotlands weather is always a gamble.

Roads can be very busy during the summer months especially during the school holidays. However if the suns shining it's worth it, just watch out for the midgies.

If you go late April to early June, or late August to end of September you will avoid the heavy traffic and at the same time you might get lucky with the weather.

[spookly]

Scotland?

Any time between 10th of August and 20th of August might avoid the rain. You then just have to look out for the enormous mosquitos.

[caelite]

I live just north of perth, We got snow last July. It was then 20C literally 2 days later. Just saying. We also got pretty heavy snow which actually laid in April/May. This country is a mess, I blame brexit.

[GetCarter]

spookly said:

Scotland?

Any time between 10th of August and 20th of August might avoid the rain. You then just have to look out for the enormous mosquitos.

August is one of the wetter months. The worst time to come for weather & traffic. As mentioned, Sept/Oct or April/May are good months. Nov to Feb are the best with empty roads, but obviously weather dependent.

Feel free to pm me for more detail. (I live in the NW Highlands).

..and this is the weather here at the moment spookly



..and completely empty roads this morning with the sunrise. I drove 30 miles in the rush hour and didn't see another vehicle.

Edited by GetCarter on Monday 3rd October 17:01

[s2kjock]

Jazoli said:

May or September has been good to me in the past.

As per above - April could be fine as well if you are lucky with the weather (temps wise) and wrap up well.

I have driven in blizzards in April before on some of these roads, and had early morning freezing temps and a bit of lying snow - not a problem in the car, but nightmare on the bike.

Early October likely OK as well, but can be a bit chilly.

One of the issues with visiting early or late in the "season" is the shorter days - at these times you are much more likely to encounter red deer at dusk and after dark, which is not good news. You do need to plan your trip so you are not riding after dark or close to it.

I certainly never drive after dark in the Highlands in the winter unless absolutely necessary, and wouldn't dream of riding my bike. The risk is too great IMO.

[ianrb]

Just back from a week in the Highlands. Had almost perfect weather, hot enough for shorts and T shirt on several days, very little traffic on the roads and almost zero police enforcement!