Scotland in September ? (1 Viewer)

Cobweb

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Hi

We are planning to spend a month touring Scotland starting around 5/9/14 . We would like to do some wild camping as well as a mixture of CL and campsites . We like gentle cycling and walking and need some tips on locations . Also last but not least , are there any midges around in September ?
 

Carol

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This is very likely our intention as well I look forward to seeing what suggestions come:notworthy:
 
Feb 24, 2013
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In my opinion, supported by experience, this is probably the best month to go possibly after May, when you get longer daylight

Probably still a risk of significant midge issues early in the month, but stay away from tall vegetation and fresh water, that will help enormously. I have also been told that they don't or cant fly if wind is above 5mph which is quite likely, they also don't like hot sun, so here's hoping for you that it is sunny

CL's we found a quite a rarity, possibly due to the wild camping options, there are not that many sites either but generally good value wherever we have stopped

We use sites although have a few 'wild' nights where there are no sites, we prefer the coast and mainly the west, but have come across some great beaches in Aberdeenshire and just above Inverness, although even Dunnet Bay near JoG has a fantastic beach. Get up to Durness just to say you did, a great little place on the coast, do Smoo cave and consider the trip across to Cape Wrath, (foot ferry and minibus or your own bikes)

But if you have the budget, get over to Harris for beaches to die for, I am sure other islands are as good, Mull certainly is and we will report back on Aran and Islay next month when we go

Do not ignore Dumfries and Galloway, great scenery and amazing hilly, generally less midges as well

I will be surprised if you don't come back vowing to return soon, we love it

David

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Nov 30, 2009
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Well , we were planning on going back up to the outer Hebrides back end of September. We were warned of by several locals and frequent visitors against it. Something about a well known shipping wind. Can't remember the exact term , haha. Strong gusty gales. I suppose if you were in a less open bleak area you wouldn't be affected. High sided vehicles often got blown off the roads. A couple of coastal camps we stayed at , closed each year because of caravans being lifted up and blown over. So were not going to bother now. In September anyway.
 

irnbru

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Midges apparently don't like dark coloured clothing or strong winds. Sept can be windy at the west coast so midge rating should be lower. Theres a smashing layby as mentioned in one of Geoglasgow posts up at Loch Lomond for free wild camping and a good flat cycle path too. Get yourselves up here and just be prepared with Avon skin so soft and your camera for some wonderful scenery.:)
 

DBK

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For cycling there are cycle paths away from roads in the general area of between Oban, through Fort Williams then up through the Great Glen. It is by no means a continuous path but plenty of good stretches away from traffic, which given the narrow roads is no bad thing.

SusTrans website will have details but no doubt other Scottish sites will be able to help.

Expect squadrons of midges on the west coast at this time of year.
 
Feb 24, 2013
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We keep an eye on this site

http://midgeforecast.co.uk/

We were badly caught out on the isle of Staffa some years ago, but generally it is too breezy right on the coast and they don't do sea water as far as I know

Sheltered glens and still areas near lochs and streams are the worst from our experience
 
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Cobweb

Cobweb

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Thanks folks .

We have had limited success with Skin so soft with midges . A few years ago we were on the Caravan club site on Kielder water and had to leave early because a clouds and clouds of midges which could not be stopped by insect screens ,being so tiny they got through no problem . I bought a new thingy from Go outdoors called Lifesystems which is a battery operated portable gadget which apparently kills Mozzies and hopefully midges . We had it on some nights during our last trip in Europe and did not get bitten once ....not sure if we were just lucky or if it really works. I will start planning the trip and hope that the weather is not too dire in the autumn .

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Puddleduck

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Don't forget The Scottish Borders - most people just drive through on the rush north but if you like scenery and history there's plenty here...... also some pretty strenuous cycling.

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irnbru

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The midges die down normally by September. Keep a fan closeby as they don't like a breeze. Maybe even invest in a midge hat to cover your head and face, well worth the couple of pounds. Enjoy your trip.:)

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Puddleduck

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I would just mention Dumfries and Galloway, its one of the nicest and least populated regions in Scotland. You can see everything Scotland has to offer in smaller scale for less money and no crowds.

Will be there Friday if we get Buffy back in time!
 
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If you are going to Harris an Lewis don't forget you can go via Skye.

We did it from the bottom up. The reverse hopscotch .
Starting from Oban to South Euist and working our way up . Finishing off on Skye then back to the mainland. Beautiful trip. See our album for some pics.
 

Pat4Neil

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Going to dumfries and galloway tomorrow for a week, will report back, then heading for glasgow and edinburgh for the fringe and tattoo' we then will do the highlands and islands. We have booked a few cs sites, wild camping, and ths, anda few friends stopovers.

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Dazzlin

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Been here few weeks now. Daughter lives in Dunblane.
Been hovering near the Trossachs (fab scenery, plenty of lochs and hills) and no midges, even tho no breeze, when it stops raining!
Lots of cycle paths. They have just put up a lot of new signs so it is easy to follow and the also give a destination and mileage which is better than just "footpath"
Plenty of wild camping, but not too busy. Here with one uk and a dutch van near Callander tonight.
Off towards Oban tomorrow and then follow a bit of coast. No fixed plans, that's the beauty of the van.
 
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Likewise up to Dumfries & Gallaway area mid sept after doing a bit of the lake district , then late sept on to north yorkshire, hopefully bump into the odd and not so odd funster on our travels.
Ann & Terry FIDGET
 

lorger

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Will be there Friday if we get Buffy back in time!

Going to dumfries and galloway tomorrow for a week, will report back, then heading for glasgow and edinburgh for the fringe and tattoo' we then will do the highlands and islands. We have booked a few cs sites, wild camping, and ths, anda few friends stopovers.

Everyone seems to go to D&G when we go on holiday do you think their trying to tell us something :)

If you need any info feel free to ask, unfortunelty we are back home Sunday.

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Puddleduck

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If Buffy comes home in time we are booked at Drumroamin, south of Wigtown on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.
 

Pat4Neil

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we are booked at Garlieston Lodge CS for saturday and sunday, just south of Wigtown. Monday somewhere on the way back up and Glasgow for tuesday night.
 

lorger

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Gnarlieston is a lovely wee harbour town, nice and quiet and loads of walking. Its been about two years since we've been there so info might be outdated, try the local pub for a meal the place looks like its falling in to disrepair but once inside its nice and cosy with great value for money food all homemade or it was last time we went.

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we are booked at Garlieston Lodge CS for saturday and sunday, just south of Wigtown. Monday somewhere on the way back up and Glasgow for tuesday night.
If you like a walk, there’s a section of the Mulberry Harbour in the bay at Garlieston. Can’t remember the name of the bookshop in Wigtown but it’s the one on the corner by the town hall and it has lots of books on the area, local history etc, very helpful for exploring. Readinglasses cafe is another nice stop for a light lunch and a browse of the books.
 
Sep 5, 2012
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we are booked at Garlieston Lodge CS for saturday and sunday, just south of Wigtown. Monday somewhere on the way back up and Glasgow for tuesday night.

Been there lovely little site with pigs, sausages and little fishing lake, the toilet has a red/green light system:)

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Pat4Neil

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We are for the next two days at a little CS near loch foot, we needed to go through the village but it was closed so had a bit of a detour on narrow roads, but is a lovely little CS near a farm and walkable down to the loch.
 
Sep 5, 2012
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We are for the next two days at a little CS near loch foot, we needed to go through the village but it was closed so had a bit of a detour on narrow roads, but is a lovely little CS near a farm and walkable down to the loch.

Is it called Auchenfranco, its nice little site that has a shed stocking homemade jams and chutneys and honestybox. ?

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