WESTERN ISLES

Cycle-touring, Expeditions, Adventures, Major cycle routes NOT LeJoG (see other special board)
dodger
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WESTERN ISLES

Post by dodger »

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.
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al_yrpal
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Re: WESTERN ISLES

Post by al_yrpal »

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
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dodger
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Re: WESTERN ISLES

Post by dodger »

Thanks. I can live with rain, but past experience of midges on Skye has left me running scared!
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robgul
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Re: WESTERN ISLES

Post by robgul »

Be prepared for all 4 seasons within an hour ... and WIND

Rob
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andrew_s
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Re: WESTERN ISLES

Post by andrew_s »

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.
dodger
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Re: WESTERN ISLES

Post by dodger »

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.
juice
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Re: WESTERN ISLES

Post by juice »

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.
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TrevA
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Re: WESTERN ISLES

Post by TrevA »

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.
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dodger
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Re: WESTERN ISLES

Post by dodger »

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.
rualexander
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Re: WESTERN ISLES

Post by rualexander »

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.
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andrew_s
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Re: WESTERN ISLES

Post by andrew_s »

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.
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TrevA
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Re: WESTERN ISLES

Post by TrevA »

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
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jamesgilbert
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Re: WESTERN ISLES

Post by jamesgilbert »

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!
dodger
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Re: WESTERN ISLES

Post by dodger »

Ah, TrevA, we say the same to tourists here in Cornwall, with as much truth!
dodger
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Re: WESTERN ISLES

Post by dodger »

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.
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