WESTERN ISLES
WESTERN ISLES
Does anyone have views about touring the Isles in May?
I know the weather can be variable, but May or June look like good prospects and, hopefully, midge-free.
Thinking of working North from Barra.
I know the weather can be variable, but May or June look like good prospects and, hopefully, midge-free.
Thinking of working North from Barra.
Re: WESTERN ISLES
I went in May a couple of years ago it was really cold, you needed furs there were absolute deluges too. However a few years before went in mid April and it was tee shirts every day. The thing is… be prepared for anything. May is midge free.
Al
Al
Reuse, recycle, thus do your bit to save the planet.... Get stuff at auctions, Dump, Charity Shops, Facebook Marketplace, Ebay, Car Boots. Choose an Old House, and a Banger ..... And cycle as often as you can......
Re: WESTERN ISLES
Thanks. I can live with rain, but past experience of midges on Skye has left me running scared!
Re: WESTERN ISLES
Be prepared for all 4 seasons within an hour ... and WIND
Rob
Rob
E2E http://www.cycle-endtoend.org.uk
HoECC http://www.heartofenglandcyclingclub.org.uk
Cytech accredited mechanic . . . and woodworker
HoECC http://www.heartofenglandcyclingclub.org.uk
Cytech accredited mechanic . . . and woodworker
Re: WESTERN ISLES
May is as good a time to go as any - cool, but the sun averages better than most other months in the long term.
If it's windy with no sun, it can easily go down to 10° or so, and you'll want "mild winter" gear - longs, thermal top, long sleeve jersey, windshell, gloves etc.
If you are lucky enough to get sun and no wind, there may be a few midges, especially towards the end of the month, but it doesn't take much to keep them down (5mph or so) and it's usually strong enough.
If it's windy with no sun, it can easily go down to 10° or so, and you'll want "mild winter" gear - longs, thermal top, long sleeve jersey, windshell, gloves etc.
If you are lucky enough to get sun and no wind, there may be a few midges, especially towards the end of the month, but it doesn't take much to keep them down (5mph or so) and it's usually strong enough.
Re: WESTERN ISLES
Thanks for the info.
From what I've seen of others' comments and a couple of Scottish TV films it looks well worth chancing poor weather.
From what I've seen of others' comments and a couple of Scottish TV films it looks well worth chancing poor weather.
Re: WESTERN ISLES
Dodger
It would be a great time to go. We did it last summer. We stayed in hostels to save carrying tents. Most were good, this one was great, Nunton House Hostel on Benbecula. It could be windy. Any specific questions, just ask.
It would be a great time to go. We did it last summer. We stayed in hostels to save carrying tents. Most were good, this one was great, Nunton House Hostel on Benbecula. It could be windy. Any specific questions, just ask.
Re: WESTERN ISLES
We did the Inner Hebrides last May. I think it rained almost every day and I was in full winter gear most of the time, with Goretex on top in the rain. So long as you dress for the weather, it's not too bad. Can be quite windy but I don't think I saw a single midge.
Sherwood CC and Notts CTC.
A cart horse trapped in the body of a man.
http://www.jogler2009.blogspot.com
A cart horse trapped in the body of a man.
http://www.jogler2009.blogspot.com
Re: WESTERN ISLES
Thanks again for the info, especially for accommodation. I don't want to carry camping gear particularly!
Surely it can't rain every year!!
Maybe the wind could help push us Northward.
Surely it can't rain every year!!
Maybe the wind could help push us Northward.
-
- Posts: 2639
- Joined: 2 Jul 2007, 9:47pm
- Contact:
Re: WESTERN ISLES
TrevA wrote:We did the Inner Hebrides last May. I think it rained almost every day and I was in full winter gear most of the time, with Goretex on top in the rain. So long as you dress for the weather, it's not too bad. Can be quite windy but I don't think I saw a single midge.
Last May was unusually bad.
Re: WESTERN ISLES
I went 4-12th June last year, and had good weather (Oban - Barra - Tarbert - Uig - Mallaig - Ardnamurchan - Mull - Oban).
I should have started 4 days sooner, but I'd been watching the rain radar and weather forecasts and delayed to let it blow through.
I should have started 4 days sooner, but I'd been watching the rain radar and weather forecasts and delayed to let it blow through.
Re: WESTERN ISLES
rualexander wrote:TrevA wrote:We did the Inner Hebrides last May. I think it rained almost every day and I was in full winter gear most of the time, with Goretex on top in the rain. So long as you dress for the weather, it's not too bad. Can be quite windy but I don't think I saw a single midge.
Last May was unusually bad.
Just my luck!
People did say that they'd had a very late spring and it was unusually cold and wet for the time of year.
Sherwood CC and Notts CTC.
A cart horse trapped in the body of a man.
http://www.jogler2009.blogspot.com
A cart horse trapped in the body of a man.
http://www.jogler2009.blogspot.com
- jamesgilbert
- Posts: 316
- Joined: 5 Feb 2013, 4:25pm
- Location: Lyon
Re: WESTERN ISLES
For some excellent (and cheap) accommodation, check out the Gatliff Trust hostels: http://www.gatliff.org.uk/
You can't book, but there's usually room!
You can't book, but there's usually room!
Re: WESTERN ISLES
Ah, TrevA, we say the same to tourists here in Cornwall, with as much truth!
Re: WESTERN ISLES
jamesgilbert wrote:For some excellent (and cheap) accommodation, check out the Gatliff Trust hostels: http://www.gatliff.org.uk/
You can't book, but there's usually room!
Checked the website and they look well worth a stay. Thanks for the link.