Spring on Scotland's west coast - thorts?

[swee'pea99]

I'd love to go, the missus hates midges. I was wondering if we might be able to go in the spring? Maybe fly up to the west coast on a 99p special, then hit the youth hostels (with bairns). Does anyone know anything about that part of the world, does this sound at all practical, are there cheap flights, will there be midges? Any thoughts appreciated.

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

I haven't been for a very long time but I used to pedal up there a lot at one time. Spring is THE time to go. No midges yet and generally good weather if a bit cool (just wear some woolies). I'd say May/early June and have some long daylight hours and some long super sunsets. Having not kept up to date I can't say about Hostels or airy planes. But I'm gonna go back soon - in the Spring.

 

[Coco]

+1 First week in June.

 

[Spinney]

Midgies tend to start to appear at the end of May. If the kids are school-age, you'll be going in half-term, which is about then - so you may get lucky, or not!

The nicest places are the remotest ones. But if you have bairns with you (and aren't planning on hiring a car), you could do worse than Glen Nevis (just outside Fort William). It's on the railway line from Glasgow, and you can get a train to Mallaig (or stop off just before Mallaig to spots with nice beaches, if the weather is suitable).

But be warned - there's not a lot to do if the weather is foul! (Well, there are castles, distilleries, etc spread around the country, but they tend to be a l--o--n--g way apart.

 

[Kirstie]

Well I'll be there in the first week of April riding my bike. If you're lucky with the weather it is glorious. Not too warm and no midges!

Don't just look at youth hostels - there is a raft of independent hostels in scotland - see hostel-scotland.co.uk.

Flybe go up there and are quite cheap but if you book the trains 12 weeks in advance there are some OUTSTANDING bargains to be had. I just got a single to inverness from bolton for 28quid and that's travelling on good friday. Don't ask me about how getting the bike reservations went though...

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

. I just got a single to inverness from bolton

A Nessie hunt Kirstie?

 

[Kirstie]

A Nessie hunt Kirstie?

Er nope. I've ridden the length of loch ness and didn't see a thing - although I was halluicinating with exhaustion at the time so may have missed it! we're going on from there up to Rogart and staying in the railway carriage hostel there!

 

[biggs682]

theres only 1 place to go and that has to be the ilse of mull , been twice and cant wait to get back

 

[arranandy]

End of May/beginning of June it probably the ideal time if you get the weather. Long daylight hours and the midgies are still to get their act together. As for places to go I would recommend the beautiful Isle of Arran (but then again, I am a bit biased!!!)

 

[Globalti]

I have suffered near heatstroke and sunburn climbing in Scotland in May. Midges don't start until June or July really. For a real adventure join the Mountain Bothies Association and take the kids to sleep in a couple - some are an easy walk in from a road.

PM me and I'll tell you where they are and where is the best natural, solar heated swimming pool in Scotland.

 

[Kirstie]

Here's a photo of our last spring trip to Scotland

 

[rh100]

I've stayed in Fort William a couple of times, which is good base to drive out from. However we had the best time in Ullapool, in a little rented wooden shack type thing. +1 for the train ride to Mallaig. The weather can be great, or it might pee it down, but not cold on the coast that I remember. I would probably recommend Fort William for a 1st trip as there is more to do. Long drives could include John O Groats and Eilean Donnan (spelling?) near Skye.

 

[Mr Pig]

Things to remember about migies is that they like water, trees and cool, still air. They tend to be worst next to lakes and rivers with lots of overhanging trees on calm days. You don't get any next to the coast with a good breeze, they're too small so would blow away. Can't take the heat 'cause they'd dry up.

And they like certain kinds of trees so you get them in big clouds next to them. A long cold winter would mean fewer of them.

We're thinking of going to Skye this June. May, still a bit cold, July, too busy.

 

[irc]

For London - Scotland or the other way journeys with a bike the Scotrail Sleeper "Bargain Berths" are a good deal. £19, £29, £39, £49 depending how fast you get in when they are released.

The berths up to the end of March have been on sale for a week or two. Checking the site just now London to Fort William are sold out. London - Inverness still going for £29 on 30th March. Like other cheap fares they are released 12 weeks ahead.

The sleeper has a carriage that takes 6 bikes so getting a bike booking should be fairly easy.

Obviously depends on being fairly close to London I guess.

http://www.scotrail.co.uk/caledoniansleeper/index.html

 

[swee'pea99]

Wow - thanks everyone. Much appreciated. Now to wave all your responses under 'er indores's nose and see if I get any bites.

Many thanks too to RR - I'd never heard of the mountain bothies - they sound brilliant. I will indeed PM, depending on what response I get (don't want to waste your time).

I have to say, it all makes my idea look like genius...to me at least! (What a photo)