Scotland - Worth it in August?
Discussion
I have an expat work colleague who desperately wants to do the NC500 before he returns back home in early September.
He has asked me to come with him and the 'kinda' plan is to take 4 days off and fly from London to Edinburgh and hire bikes up there. I have never even been to Scotland before, so I'm thinking, why not.
However, I was speaking to someone the other day who lives in Edinburgh (a non-biker) who said now is probably not the best time of year given the midges and the on and off rain, which is diametrically opposite to what's happening down here in the South. So, are the midges or rain likely to make is a miserable experience or is the riding/scenery worth this potential shortfall?
I was thinking another option would be to go to Wales and I can ride my bike there, but finding a rental for him is a lot tougher v. Scotland. Also, the ruggedness of Scotland will probably take the edge.
I know peak summer time is not the best of time to explore the UK, but would love your thoughts on this!
He has asked me to come with him and the 'kinda' plan is to take 4 days off and fly from London to Edinburgh and hire bikes up there. I have never even been to Scotland before, so I'm thinking, why not.
However, I was speaking to someone the other day who lives in Edinburgh (a non-biker) who said now is probably not the best time of year given the midges and the on and off rain, which is diametrically opposite to what's happening down here in the South. So, are the midges or rain likely to make is a miserable experience or is the riding/scenery worth this potential shortfall?
I was thinking another option would be to go to Wales and I can ride my bike there, but finding a rental for him is a lot tougher v. Scotland. Also, the ruggedness of Scotland will probably take the edge.
I know peak summer time is not the best of time to explore the UK, but would love your thoughts on this!
Edited by ujio on Monday 3rd August 11:09
Do it, midges not too bad this year and I only really in certain parts, maybe I live in a good area it I think they're an over hyped tourism myth by and large. No different from mosquitos down south
Expect rain but could be for an hour a day, i.e. will not ruin experience
A bike may work as I wouldn't take a car until later in the year as too many campers vans and tourists hire cars plodding
Expect rain but could be for an hour a day, i.e. will not ruin experience
A bike may work as I wouldn't take a car until later in the year as too many campers vans and tourists hire cars plodding
Do it.
If you're worried about the midges get a can of bug spray from Amazon.
Don't worry about getting wet, if it happens it is only temporary, you'll get dry again. I spent two out of five days in northern Europe in the pissing rain. My boots were the only thing that got wet, but its all part of the adventure.
If you're worried about the midges get a can of bug spray from Amazon.
Don't worry about getting wet, if it happens it is only temporary, you'll get dry again. I spent two out of five days in northern Europe in the pissing rain. My boots were the only thing that got wet, but its all part of the adventure.
Linksmas said:
Do it.
If you're worried about the midges get a can of bug spray from Amazon.
Don't worry about getting wet, if it happens it is only temporary, you'll get dry again. I spent two out of five days in northern Europe in the pissing rain. My boots were the only thing that got wet, but its all part of the adventure.
Just FYI, the only thing that works for midges is 'Smidge'... just don't get it in your eyes!If you're worried about the midges get a can of bug spray from Amazon.
Don't worry about getting wet, if it happens it is only temporary, you'll get dry again. I spent two out of five days in northern Europe in the pissing rain. My boots were the only thing that got wet, but its all part of the adventure.
..and midge problems are greatly exaggerated, except for about 10 days a year, in early morning and evenings, then they are real b
ds.I am in central Scotland and I don't think in a normal year it makes any real difference when it come to forward plans and UK weather... check the weather forecast for your window of opportunity and see how it looks and decide then if you want to do it.
Also why do the NC500... plenty of other great roads up here without putting yourself through the issues of caravans etc. Just come up and work with the weather you have and ride around it.
Also why do the NC500... plenty of other great roads up here without putting yourself through the issues of caravans etc. Just come up and work with the weather you have and ride around it.
Midges are only a problem if you're camping. Rain, expect to get wet but if you have somewhere to dry your gear it'll be fine. You may find accommodation is hard to find/expensive in summer plus short notice, which is why I camp.
I say just do it, the roads up there have no comparison to the rest of the UK. In the evenings after 7pm it's deserted. If you could wait until the summer holidays have finished that would be better but it seems like there's not much time.
I say just do it, the roads up there have no comparison to the rest of the UK. In the evenings after 7pm it's deserted. If you could wait until the summer holidays have finished that would be better but it seems like there's not much time.
Its a good season for midges - in that I've barely seen any this summer (live in the central belt).
If you've never ridden Scotland, you really need to. Even in crap weather it is stunning, though I'd recommend the West Highlands and Skye over the NC 500, as that's where the best scenery is, and the roads are also way quieter
If you've never ridden Scotland, you really need to. Even in crap weather it is stunning, though I'd recommend the West Highlands and Skye over the NC 500, as that's where the best scenery is, and the roads are also way quieter
Why Edinburgh ? Fly into Inverness and hire bikes, the ride up the A9 is a soulless experience!
I’m up here with work and luckily most weekends get away on my bike and moto camp, it’s far far easier getting onto camp sites with a bike and even last minute as I just book and go Friday evening to Sunday but have the luxury of just riding to specific areas rather than the full anti clockwise route.
The midges ain’t really an issue if you have a headnet over a baseball cap, even then they have not been that bad more thick on west coast around Ullappol area I find and Skye, that part of west coast.
If you want to save a bit of money book into some of the Hostels as the Scottish ones are very good.
Also if planning how many hours riding per day just be careful as google maps timings are way way off, some of the 60mph roads are actually single track with passing places so will take you 30% longer than maps say your arrival time will be.
The roads on the west coast are brilliant and some of the quieter connecting roads off the 500 route are better.
As for weather, rain comes and goes but it’s not cold riding that’s the difference. I don’t mind the rain bursts as 10 mins later it’s dry ! If it’s a right downpour I just find a coffee shop/pub for a break.
The motorhomes are just a load of brain dead sheep that are unable to use their mirrors, they hire a MH when 90% of them have never driven or reversed anything bigger than a fiesta so prepare to get annoyed by the amoebas. Especially when they could slow down or pull in to let the 20 cars/bikes behind them passed !
I stay in Lincolnshire/Nottinghamshire normally and I now hate going home and riding around there, it’s so so boring and busy. You don’t know some amazing riding until you get places like up here.
I’m up here with work and luckily most weekends get away on my bike and moto camp, it’s far far easier getting onto camp sites with a bike and even last minute as I just book and go Friday evening to Sunday but have the luxury of just riding to specific areas rather than the full anti clockwise route.
The midges ain’t really an issue if you have a headnet over a baseball cap, even then they have not been that bad more thick on west coast around Ullappol area I find and Skye, that part of west coast.
If you want to save a bit of money book into some of the Hostels as the Scottish ones are very good.
Also if planning how many hours riding per day just be careful as google maps timings are way way off, some of the 60mph roads are actually single track with passing places so will take you 30% longer than maps say your arrival time will be.
The roads on the west coast are brilliant and some of the quieter connecting roads off the 500 route are better.
As for weather, rain comes and goes but it’s not cold riding that’s the difference. I don’t mind the rain bursts as 10 mins later it’s dry ! If it’s a right downpour I just find a coffee shop/pub for a break.
The motorhomes are just a load of brain dead sheep that are unable to use their mirrors, they hire a MH when 90% of them have never driven or reversed anything bigger than a fiesta so prepare to get annoyed by the amoebas. Especially when they could slow down or pull in to let the 20 cars/bikes behind them passed !
I stay in Lincolnshire/Nottinghamshire normally and I now hate going home and riding around there, it’s so so boring and busy. You don’t know some amazing riding until you get places like up here.
We went to Scotland for a week in August the first year I had a company car. A mk3 1600XL Cortina. It rained every day but one. It was so windy on that day I don't think the rain could reach the ground.
On the way back we bought 8 wine glasses from Caithness Glass. We still have 4 of them 51 years later.
On the way back we bought 8 wine glasses from Caithness Glass. We still have 4 of them 51 years later.
Edited by Glosphil on Monday 3rd August 21:31
Later August won't be too bad for tourists and you could be lucky with the weather. Less so with the midges.
Heading out direct from Inverness if you can does save you time if you only have a few days - there are more interesting ways to get north from the central belt than the A9 but it all takes time.
You will need your wits about you as tourists don't drive appropriately.
Also, don't play fuel chicken - the greater frequency of RTC related road closures (see above for why) and lack of diversion roads can give you some very long detours.
Bike theft in Edinburgh is horrifically bad, so don't plan to spend any time in the city with your bike if you do hire from there - get out of dodge pronto!
Heading out direct from Inverness if you can does save you time if you only have a few days - there are more interesting ways to get north from the central belt than the A9 but it all takes time.
You will need your wits about you as tourists don't drive appropriately.
Also, don't play fuel chicken - the greater frequency of RTC related road closures (see above for why) and lack of diversion roads can give you some very long detours.
Bike theft in Edinburgh is horrifically bad, so don't plan to spend any time in the city with your bike if you do hire from there - get out of dodge pronto!
While May/June are the best months to visit the Highlands I doubt it’ going to be super different from Wales. Schools go back here soon as well which is a bonus. The roads north of Ullapool are spectacular and the scenery nothing like anywhere in the UK, including the central highlands. If starting in Edinburgh the ride through to Fort William via Glencoe is very pleasant though much busier
I’m up in Scotland at the moment with work, I come up to Edinburgh/Glasgow 3 or 4 times a year, I’ve done the highlands a couple of times but trek up to get there isn’t worth it compared to Wales which is relatively close in comparison.
Wales has some of the best biking roads anywhere IMHO.
PS. Pouring down here atm but it’s nice to see it !
Wales has some of the best biking roads anywhere IMHO.
PS. Pouring down here atm but it’s nice to see it !
Thanks for all the replies guys. Might be worth it then if we just go with an open mind and expect the crap weather.
Thought to fly to Edinburgh to hire these bikes https://bikerbnb.com/motorcycle-rental/ .
However, I am all ears if there are other better options which are closer to the roads. Yes, ideally we don't want to encounter all the zillions of tourists on the roads (irony being we are also them), so if there are better quieter options other than the NC500, we are not set in stone. He mentioned he really wants to get to the Isle of Skye if possible! Will also look at hostel options if everything is booked up.
Thanks for the feedback once again!
Re: Wales, would be super convenient, it's mainly getting hold of a rental bike for him that would be an issue. Also looked at flyrides to Spain Portugal but may be too super hot to enjoy (can't have it either way, eh). Having said that Hertz do high spec rental bikes in the region very reasonably compared to the highlands!
Thought to fly to Edinburgh to hire these bikes https://bikerbnb.com/motorcycle-rental/ .
However, I am all ears if there are other better options which are closer to the roads. Yes, ideally we don't want to encounter all the zillions of tourists on the roads (irony being we are also them), so if there are better quieter options other than the NC500, we are not set in stone. He mentioned he really wants to get to the Isle of Skye if possible! Will also look at hostel options if everything is booked up.
Thanks for the feedback once again!
Re: Wales, would be super convenient, it's mainly getting hold of a rental bike for him that would be an issue. Also looked at flyrides to Spain Portugal but may be too super hot to enjoy (can't have it either way, eh). Having said that Hertz do high spec rental bikes in the region very reasonably compared to the highlands!
Edited by ujio on Tuesday 4th August 13:15
Edited by ujio on Tuesday 4th August 14:53
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