Scotland in September - doubting if to go because of weather (1 Viewer)

Southdowners

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We've been really looking forward to going to Scotland this September but the other day saw a news item which highlighted the awful summer they're having. I know our summer isn't great but they have snow in places where there shouldn't be this time of year! It will be our first ever visit and we'll be going for four weeks.

I know there's no guarantee of good weather where ever you go at any time of the year but we're wondering whether to change our destination to the West Country as it looks to be so bad. Has anyone got advice to help us make our decision? By the way we would have gone to France but didn't realise that it took 5 - 6 weeks to get our dog a pet passport.
 

irnbru

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You should get a dog passport quicker than that.

Dont let the weather stop you, bring your wellies, umbrella, shorts, sunglasses, midge repellent and you will be fine.
Yes its been much wetter this year but doesnt rain continually.

Yesterday we had summer and was wall to wall sunshine and 22c

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sdc77

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Scotland will be great .. there's so much to see and it's so dog friendly . . Just expect it to be poor weather and anything better is a bonus. You won't be disapointed. You should get a dog passport quickly. I think you have to wait for a period after the rabies jab though before you can travel ... (can't remember exactly)
 
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Southdowners

Southdowners

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Thanks for your replies - I'm feeling a bit more optimistic now :) !

Regarding the pet passport - I worked out the 5-6 weeks because of the following. You have to have 2 rabies vaccinations - the second being 2 weeks after the first. You then have to wait 21 days and have a blood test - I'm guessing that it might take a week to get the results back. I felt so annoyed with myself as we recently had his annual vaccinations done and I could have started the process then. I just didn't realise the timescale. Oh well - you live and learn!

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scotjimland

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Thanks for your replies - I'm feeling a bit more optimistic now :) !

Regarding the pet passport - I worked out the 5-6 weeks because of the following. You have to have 2 rabies vaccinations - the second being 2 weeks after the first. You then have to wait 21 days and have a blood test - I'm guessing that it might take a week to get the results back. I felt so annoyed with myself as we recently had his annual vaccinations done and I could have started the process then. I just didn't realise the timescale. Oh well - you live and learn!

We had our two dogs done this summer.... one rabies injection, wait 21 days, back to vet to collect passports.. there is no blood test done now..

before coming back this week, worming done in France 5 days to 24 hours before travel..
 
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just a minor clarification to what @ScotJimland said - he missed out the word 'days' after the '5' -the treatment must be recorded in the passport at least 24 hours before check-in and no more than 120 hours (i.e. 5 days).

P.S. Don't be frightened of the weather in Scotland in September. Scotland is a wonderful country to visit and autumn often brings beautiful weather!
 
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Southdowners

Southdowners

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We had our two dogs done this summer.... one rabies injection, wait 21 days, back to vet to collect passports.. there is no blood test done now..

before coming back this week, worming done in France 5 days to 24 hours before travel..


That's interesting. Is it your dog's first passport or was it for a booster? I've just re-read the letter which I picked up from our vet and it states Rabies vaccination course (2 vaccinations two weeks apart)... Blood collection/rabies serology (sample collected 3 weeks after second vaccination).

I'll contact another vet and see what they say. Thanks for the info

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JeanLuc

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Scotland can be beautiful in September (but there are still midges). One of the reasons the Highlands are so wonderful is because of the high rainfall. Even a great summer up there has quite a bit of rain but I admit this year has been particularly bad.
Regarding snow, many people don't realise that the annual mean temperature at the top of Ben Nevis is below zero so many of the high mountain corries will hold snow all year (although I have been on top of 'The Ben' in sweltering heat).
 

DBK

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May or June are good months to visit Scotland but September can be good and if the west coast is wet then nip over to the east coast.

I live in the west country and it rains here as well. We are off to Brittany in September but aren't expecting wall to wall sunshine. We will need to go further south for a better chance of sun.

But given where you live France is next door. Book the pooch in today for the single rabies jab and get the ferry or tunnel booked!
 

Derbyshire wanderer

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That's interesting. Is it your dog's first passport or was it for a booster? I've just re-read the letter which I picked up from our vet and it states Rabies vaccination course (2 vaccinations two weeks apart)... Blood collection/rabies serology (sample collected 3 weeks after second vaccination).

I'll contact another vet and see what they say. Thanks for the info
I believe that's the old rules. It has been simplified since end 2014.
Have a look at
Broken Link Removed
as for changing your plans, Scotland is due some good weather. Been visiting for years and never regretted going.

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Southdowners

Southdowners

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You can take the dog abroad at any time its coming back thats monitored

I didn't realise that. I'm going to check things out at another vet as it would appear that our vet is a bit out of date.

Thanks everyone for the advice!

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Feb 24, 2013
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Scotland in September can be brilliant, we love the place so may be somewhat biased, but autumn colours, trees in the glens heather on the hills, Bev actually got sunburnt on one of our first trips there in September

But get the passport sorted and have both options (y)
 
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Go to Scotland it's beautiful and whatever the weather you'll love it went there three years ago in September for three weeks and been back four times since.
Don't be put off by the weather
ENJOY
 
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Deleted member 29692

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I didn't realise that. I'm going to check things out at another vet as it would appear that our vet is a bit out of date.

Thanks everyone for the advice!

From other threads that have run on this subject it may be more that your vet is using a particular brand of vaccine that requires the faffing around and is possibly just pushing you towards the blood test simply so they can charge you for it.

You need to find a vet that uses either Vanguard or Nobivac brand vaccine.

It's one injection, no second course or booster after 12 months. It lasts 3 years. They should be able to give you the passport immediately but you can't travel until 21 days after the injection.

The blood test isn't required if you are only travelling within the EU.

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lorger

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I'd come to Scotland we might moan about our weather all the time but it isn't really that bad, it certainly hasn't been cold as I have been wearing shorts everyday (not the same pair) since March and will do until October time. The only time I'm not in shorts is for a wedding or meal out, I also can't remember the last time I wore a jacket since March apart from climbing Ben Nevis in June and yes there was 18 inches of snow on the top and we met a family of English tourist trying to walk it in sandals.

We have a beautiful country here so come and enjoy it and just bring good waterproofs if that's your concern.
 

parknride

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Had 2 glorious weeks, last minute decision in Scotland last September. we, reluctantly, had to come home for an important birthday. We were rained off the south west this July so came back early!
 

glenn2926

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When I got our dog's passport it was issued there and then. There is no longer the requirement to wait for blood tests.

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Robert Clark

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Everywhere looks better in the sunshine
We cancelled our trip to Scotland in June simply because the weather was so bad
We changed our plans and went to Provence instead
Had a great time
Will go back to Scotland when we can hope for a reasonable chance of dry weather - not much fun motorhiming in the rain
 

Lenny HB

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Everywhere looks better in the sunshine
We cancelled our trip to Scotland in June simply because the weather was so bad
We changed our plans and went to Provence instead
Had a great time
Will go back to Scotland when we can hope for a reasonable chance of dry weather - not much fun motorhiming in the rain
Now that's what I call being sensible.:)
 

Lenny HB

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Like Scotland, but horrible drive to get there and being only 20 miles from a channel port, Scotland looses.

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Spent a couple of weeks touring round in the wind & rain then a week at the Caravan Club site in Edinburgh where we had various weather culminating in a nice sunny day yesterday. Now sitting in the van with the rain bucketing down debating whether to leave for home early :-(
I have told Tony that, apart from the occasional rally, I don't want to spend any more main motorhome trips in the UK - for me it's got to be abroad. I know you still get rain etc abroad as we have found to our cost but it's always more interesting in a foreign country and at least you can head for the sun if you want :)
 

WAG2CRU

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Spent a couple of weeks touring round in the wind & rain then a week at the Caravan Club site in Edinburgh where we had various weather culminating in a nice sunny day yesterday. Now sitting in the van with the rain bucketing down debating whether to leave for home early :-(

Don't panic yet, the rain should clear this afternoon and the next few days should be nice ;-)

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