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Photo by Ellen Delis, Lagunas Ojos del Campo, Antofalla, Catamarca

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Photo by Ellen Delis,
Lagunas Ojos del Campo,
Antofalla, Catamarca



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  #1  
Old 13 Jan 2009
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Scotland May 2009
Question to the Scots: How do you rate the month of May as a time for riding around Scotland? Weather-wise, temperature-wise etc.?

General question: Does anyone know the travelling guide "Frommer's Scotland's Best-Loved Driving Tours"? Are the proposed routes useful?

I'm planning a 3-week tour.


Thx
Hans
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Old 13 Jan 2009
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May can be a wonderful time to see Scotland. No midges and less traffic. As for routes go to Applecross on the west coast and the Isle of Skye, wonderful.
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Old 14 Jan 2009
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Scotland in May
May is often the best month, 22c during the first week of May in Applecross last year. The roads are great at this time of year, the road from Applecross to Ullapool is fantastic. Ullapool to Durness is also a great road, lots of Photographs to be taken. Get the Ferry from Mallaig to Skye, some great roads as you head from Glasgow to the north west via Loch Lomond. Take the short Ferry at Corran, near Fort William. The road to Mallaig from Corran is also fantastic. I could write a book about Scotland, if you need more information, ie B&B, camping etc just ask.

Tourman
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Old 14 Jan 2009
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Hi, you can easily cover the whole of Scotland in 3 weeks. From Glasgow head West then follow the coast North until you reach the very North. Must see places; Mull, Skye, Applecross, Ullapool, Durness & Braemar.Return down through the centre. It can be very expensive touring Scotland, i usually camp or use hostels Scottish Independent Hostels, youth hostel and backpackers accommodation in Scotland . May should be fine but pack your waterproofs. Cheers Andy
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Old 14 Jan 2009
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Thx for the tips so far. I've just read the thread re the HUGS meeting at Applecross & Gorton Sands last autumn. So yep, I'll definitely be travelling around the westcoast and Skye.

Thinking of doing the loop around the north via Ullapool and Thurso as well. I've only been as far as Inverness up to now - and that was YEARS ago...
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Old 14 Jan 2009
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Originally Posted by Vaufi View Post
Thx for the tips so far. I've just read the thread re the HUGS meeting at Applecross & Gorton Sands last autumn. So yep, I'll definitely be travelling around the westcoast and Skye.

Thinking of doing the loop around the north via Ullapool and Thurso as well. I've only been as far as Inverness up to now - and that was YEARS ago...

May can indeed be a good month. However, many years ago, I got married in May and went up North on honeymoon. It was snowing on the way up, although it did warm up the next day. The rumours you hear about Scotland getting all the seasons in the same day can be true. You pay you money and take your chances.
Let me know if you're coming. I'm working most of May but it would be good to meet you again, so could maybe sneak out for a short trip on the bike.

Are you going back in time for the German HU meet?
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Old 14 Jan 2009
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May can be a great time of year but Scotland has weather like Melbourne four seasons in one day expect a bit of change. tourman and the others are right the west coast has fantastic roads though well worth the trip, beautiful too !
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Old 15 Jan 2009
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Let me know if you're coming. I'm working most of May but it would be good to meet you again, so could maybe sneak out for a short trip on the bike.

Are you going back in time for the German HU meet?
Jim, I'd love to check you out - and no, I'll probably miss the German HU meeting, since I might still be in the UK.

Can't say yet, whether I'll travel by bike. Depends on my missus. If she comes along it'll be the microbus. She wouldn't toch my bike with a broomstick

But planning is still open. If it suits our travel plans I'll contact you

Hans
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Old 16 Jan 2009
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in 3 weeks you can see everything worth seeing in scotland. just aim westish & northwards for the most stunning bits.
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Old 22 Jan 2009
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Scotland
Hi Vaufi

I did Scotland last year for charity and can give you a few places that will welcome you whether you're on the bike or in the bus.

We went in August and had to cope with 1 metre floods and torrential rain. Scottish weather is unpridictable but the place is absolutely gorgeous.

Start in the south at Carlisle and then just follow the west coast up to Glasgow and then up again all the way to Skye and beyond. The north coast is spectacular but don't get too hung up about going to John O Groats - it's nothing special.
There's good camping all around Scotland and I'm happy to recommend a few places to camp or even a couple of B&B's that we stayed in.

Regards

Wonky
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Old 22 Jan 2009
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Hey Wonkey,

thanks for that. I'd be interested in the B&Bs, because if it's too soddy I do tend towards a dry, comfortable room So that would be great if you could send me a message.

I usually check out the campsites as the trip goes. Every now and then I enjoy staying somewhere n the boondocks if the place is nice and quiet.
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