Scottish weather in August

[Danny]

Cycling from Glasgow to Inverness in mid August and am debating what clothing to bring.

I take it for granted that it could be wet and windy, but just how cold could it get? Should I bring a pair of longs just in case, or will I be mocked by the legions of hardy Scottish cyclists who presumably go out in little more than their padded kilts in all conditions?

Thanks to previous advice from User482 I have armed myself with some Avon skin cream to ward off the swarms of midges that I assume are even now gathering to meet us off the train, but is there anything else useful I should take to cope with conditions north of the English border?

 

[snorri]

but is there anything else useful I should take to cope with conditions north of the English border?

Gifts for the natives always go down well.

I never wear anything other than longs myself, there are options? You won't need gloves, but a sunhat might be useful.
August weather is sometimes quite hot and dry, but sometimes wet. The chance of rain lessens as you travel further east, but as you travel east it often gets colder. You are unlikely to encounter temps below 5C, and that would only be at night. If the midgies get you, that is an indicator that you are not pedalling hard enough.

The weather is just as unpredictable as England!

 

[kyuss]

Studded tyres, ice axe and crampons are a must. At least two layers on the legs and four on the torso should suffice. :?: C'mon, it might be a couple of degrees cooler than you southern softies are used to but it's Scotland for god's sake not the North Pole. Get a grip man!

Seriously though, the past few years August has been when we've had some of our best weather, not necessarily the warmest but sunny and dry. It's generally warm enough for shorts and fingerless gloves well into September, but a decent long sleeve baselayer could come in handy in the evenings. Rain is always a threat especially in the west. You guys down south seem to get more of the wet stuff in the summer than us though.

 

[vernon]

Cycling from Glasgow to Inverness in mid August and am debating what clothing to bring.

I take it for granted that it could be wet and windy, but just how cold could it get? Should I bring a pair of longs just in case, or will I be mocked by the legions of hardy Scottish cyclists who presumably go out in little more than their padded kilts in all conditions?

Thanks to previous advice from User482 I have armed myself with some Avon skin cream to ward off the swarms of midges that I assume are even now gathering to meet us off the train, but is there anything else useful I should take to cope with conditions north of the English border?

The only reason to wear longs is to keep the Caledonian Luftwaffe at bay. As you have got your Avon Skin So Soft - shorts will be fine. I don't know what sort of weather extremes that you are expecting but some sun blocker would not be amiss. I've acquired a nice tan on both occasions that I've cycled in Scotland in August in the area concerned.

 

[Danny]

Studded tyres, ice axe and crampons are a must. At least two layers on the legs and four on the torso should suffice. C'mon, it might be a couple of degrees cooler than you southern softies are used to but it's Scotland for god's sake not the North Pole. Get a grip man!

From down here it looks as if you are well inside the Arctic circle, but on reflection maybe I can leave some of my snow gear behind

 

[PaulSB]

Sunday 7th July I rode from Oban to Loch Lomond (Tarbet hotel) it was bloody freezing, a south-easterly in my face most of the time and occassional cold drizzle. Although the sun was around much of the time it hadn't penetrated into the glenns. Wore my arm-warmers and leggings and was really pleased I had stuffed them in my pocket just before setting off, but despite this was cold most of the time except when I was climbing. Nice ride though.

I would be sure you are prepared for the weather to be on the cool side. My wife is from the borders so I have been to Scotlnd more than once!

 

[vernon]

The only reason to wear longs is to keep the Caledonian Luftwaffe at bay. As you have got your Avon Skin So Soft - shorts will be fine. I don't know what sort of weather extremes that you are expecting but some sun blocker would not be amiss. I've acquired a nice tan on both occasions that I've cycled in Scotland in August in the area concerned.

Remember to apply the Avons unguent behind your knees and in the area above the waistband of your shorts. Midges will find any unprotected flesh.

 

[ronstrutt]

From down here it looks as if you are well inside the Arctic circle, but on reflection maybe I can leave some of my snow gear behind

Don't forget that the far north of Scotland is actually closer to the Arctic Circle than it is to London!

 

[Danny]

Sunday 7th July I rode from Oban to Loch Lomond (Tarbet hotel) it was bloody freezing, a south-easterly in my face most of the time and occassional cold drizzle. Although the sun was around much of the time it hadn't penetrated into the glenns. Wore my arm-warmers and leggings and was really pleased I had stuffed them in my pocket just before setting off, but despite this was cold most of the time except when I was climbing.

Hmm...maybe I should take one of these

 

[HLaB]

OT your avatar Dannyg reminds me of an old news clip where Clinton (I think) was attacked by midges whilst playing golf in Scotland; he tried to fend them off with his cigar

 

[Danny]

That's not the only thing Clinton did with his cigar

 

[Bodhbh]

Don't forget that the far north of Scotland is actually closer to the Arctic Circle than it is to London!

How was Durness in June?

Was up there walking on the Cape Wrath trail this year. Think the temperature differential between Durness and London was generally 9-10 degrees while we were there. Difference between T-shirt, fleece and windshield, and T-shirt and shorts.

Was up there last May, hailing on the way up from Lairg, and got frost a couple of nights. This was low lvl walking not up on the hills (not that there's many up there).

 

[Danny]

OK...I have (just about) been convinced that we won't be battling through arctic blizzards all the way from Glasgow to Inverness.

So now I am wondering whether there is any point in bringing swimming things as we will be passing several large lochs, including Lomand and Tay. Can you swim in them or am I being over ambitious?

I seem to remember swimming in Loch Ness on a family holiday when I was about 10 and thinking it was freezing.

 

[Kirstie]

I was in Sutherland last week, it was 27 degrees and I was swimming in the sea! Just one coldish rainy day out of 6 aint bad for up there. I have been in the highlands and islands in august/sept for the last few years and you've just got to be prepared for anything, but most of the time i have been pleasantly surprised. It's just a few degrees colder, but you get much longer days...

 

[Flying_Monkey]

most of the time i have been pleasantly surprised. It's just a few degrees colder, but you get much longer days...

It was pissing down every day we were up there! Especially in Durness...