Scottish Isles

PabloPicasso

PabloPicasso

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I'm hoping to plan trip accross the Irish Sea and on up to Oban,Tobamory and some of the western Isles. probably going outside the Mull instead of ther Crinan Canal. What month would likely be best? Yes. Yes, I know its Scotland and the weather is unreliable at best.

But for those of you who sail up there a lot, when is a good month??
 
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The first part of the 'summer' is generally better. i.e. late May into June, tends to be better than July/August (IMHO).
Contrary to popular opinion, it doesn't rain all the time.
In the outer isles it's usually too windy for the midges to come out :)
 
Robwhelton said:
The first part of the 'summer' is generally better. i.e. late May into June, tends to be better than July/August (IMHO).
Contrary to popular opinion, it doesn't rain all the time.
In the outer isles it's usually too windy for the midges to come out :)
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+1
 
May and June are best.

To avoid most of the midges simply don't go ashore in the early evening.
 
anytime up till mid june in my experience. earlier is best. glastonbury festival, around the solstice, marks the beginning of the uk monsoon season as far as I'm concearned!
 
I am not a local but the perceived wisdom was correct for us when we cruised there in 2010. Late May and early June were glorious. Cold but few midges. We got away just in time after that it was terrible by all accounts.
 
Early May Is Best

Contrary to the above the best time is late April and May. Midge free until around the beginning of June. I have had 20 degrees Celsius in late April often, with a couple of weeks of fantastic weather more than another time in the year. Everyone thinks, here we go a great summer, only to disappointed from June onwards; its a frequent pattern. June can be okay, with early June being best.

Just go when it suits you. As Bill Connelly says. "There is no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes."
 
PabloPicasso said:
I'm hoping to plan trip accross the Irish Sea and on up to Oban,Tobamory and some of the western Isles. probably going outside the Mull instead of ther Crinan Canal. What month would likely be best? Yes. Yes, I know its Scotland and the weather is unreliable at best.

But for those of you who sail up there a lot, when is a good month??
Click to expand...

May and June are the best times, after that the weather changes and it fills with weekend boaties, around Oban and Tobermory mostly from the Clyde.

The further North you go the less people you'll see.

Try, Torridon, Beag, Nedd, Shieldig, Kyles, Goat Island, Aline, Moidart, and Drumbuie all free.
 
BlowingOldBoots said:
.

Just go when it suits you. As Bill Connelly says. "There is no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes."
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Another Billy Connelly quote ' Scotland has two seasons, June and winter.'

I would not count on April or July this year, both were too good last year, and Scottish weather never repeats itself, the law of averages points to May or June this time.
 
'Fraid you're going to have to suck it and see.
Traditionally, May-June was a better bet than July, however last year that didn't hold true, and we sat around until July before seriously casting off.
As with other threads on this site, you have to make up your own mind and live with the consequences.
 
BlowingOldBoots said:
Contrary to the above the best time is late April and May. Midge free until around the beginning of June. I have had 20 degrees Celsius in late April often, with a couple of weeks of fantastic weather more than another time in the year. Everyone thinks, here we go a great summer, only to disappointed from June onwards; its a frequent pattern. June can be okay, with early June being best.

Just go when it suits you. As Bill Connelly says. "There is no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes."
Click to expand...

+1
 
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