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[Unhinged]

Hello I'm hoping there are some ladies from Scotland who can help? First week of September I am going for a holiday in the Highlands - it looks stunning! It will be my first time there, and I have two questions:

1). I have been warned about midges. Are they really that bad and will there still be many in September? If so, is there a best repellent to use?

2). What will the weather usually be like early September? I don't know what clothes to take and not sure I'll have room to take two full different sets for both hot and cool weather!

Any advice much appreciated before I start planning what to pack - I'm so excited about it, I can't think why I haven't visited before! I'm big into scenery and usually choose moorland and countryside places like Exmoor if I holiday in the UK - I love the heather, the moors look magical and otherworldly, almost primeval! Scotland looks amazing and I can barely contain myself, I'm hoping to see a Pine Martin if I go on a jeep safari - never seen one, nor a red squirrel, nor an eagle! Oops ... I'm getting carried away .... can't help it!

[honeybun]

I'm in Scotland. West Coast.

There is a midge forecast for all areas ....have a Google and you will find it.

If the midge forecast is bad then Avon Skin So Soft is excellent. The weather won't be that bad, wet perhaps but not that cold at all. But as Billy Connely says...there is no such thing as bad weather...just inappropriate clothing 

Where abouts are you going....generally. You don't have to give the address just the general area.



Honeyb
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[Unhinged]

Hi Honeybun!

Midge forecast? Who'd have thought there would be such a thing, how awesome, will def Google that and Skin so Soft! Thankyou.

Not cold at all? So I might be able to wear t-shirt or shirt in the daytime and I imagine cardigan/light jumper in evenings? (That's funny re Billy Connely).

I don't mind at all telling you exactly where I'm going! I'll be staying in Fort William, and we have booked excursions to Skye, Loch Ness, I'll be going on the Nevis Range gondolas - eek I'm scared oh heights, plus Glen Coe, probably what sounds to you like all the usual tourist stuff, plus I'll be doing the wildlife safari in the jeep, and if I can I'd like to go on the Jacobite steam train to Mallaig! I won't have time for menopause and anxiety, be too busy! Is where I'm going classed as 'west coast' like you, or is that further north? x

[honeybun]

I'm more central west so much further north than me. I would take some good wet weather gear and a couple of cozy jumpers.
I haven't been to Fort William for years but it's lovely. If you get a chance to see Oban then it's worth a bit of a detour. Long drive though on very windy roads. Take what google maps tell you and add on....lots 

Sounds absolutely great and I hope the weather is kind...ie dry   


Honeyb
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[Unhinged]

Thanks Honeybun for those tips, I will for sure take a couple of jumpers and I don't mind the cold at all - in fact most of the time with the flushes it's a case of "bring on the frost"! I have been looking at Oban too, heard it's lovely.

It'll be nice if it's dry, but I won't even mind if it rains, I shall love it anyway.

Unhinged x

P.S Just Googled and found a midge forecast, says Fort William is 4 out of 5 on the 'nuisance level' at the moment. Fascinating stuff!

[bramble]

Skin so soft is def the repellent of choice. And pack jumpers or fleeces. My central heating has only been off for 2 weeks this year! Tshirts have only been worn by me for 2 weeks also! Bank on wearing tshirts and jumpers during the day and if you can, pack some windproof jackets for the mountains. There have been times when we have had an Indian summer in September but pack for not. Better to take off clothes than not have enough.
Sorry to sound so gloomy but we have had a miserable summer up here. It has rained most days for the last 2 months. I have never had to water a pot outside except for those 2 weeks in June! On the plus side, everything is fantastically green!

Bramble

[honeybun]

You can buy very sexy midge nets that go over your head....think mad bee keeper 

Oh and standing next to a smoker also helps 

As the summer goes on the midges get less.

Oban is the place for wonderful seafood. There is a shack on the pier that does the best stuff. Depending on what road you decide to take. Up and over the Rest and be Thankful is probably quickest rather than up the side of Loch Lomond. If you do the Rest route then you will go past a great fishery smoke house just before you get to Inverary. It's on the banks of Loch Fyne.

Can you tell I love Scotland 


Honeyb
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[Unhinged]

Wow this is amazing, you two are far more useful than any guide book I've read! That's two votes for Skin so Soft, that's a def then, where's my Avon lady!

Bramble that weather sounds brill, really! I can't stand hot weather and I am happiest when wearing a comfy fleece, trainers and stretchy exercise pants (though I'm a fraud wearing them coz I rarely exercise!). Which part of Scotland are you in Bramble?

Honeybun, yes I can tell you love Scotland and it makes me want to go even more! And I won't mind wearing a mad bee keeper's hat at all, and eek I smoke sometimes myself (BAD). I love seafood! Am getting the road map out now, and how funny, I was at the Rest and Be Thankful in Wheddon Cross in Exmoor in April!

Oh it can't come quick enough, I'd leave right now! x

[Unhinged]

P.S. Will there be any heather in the Highlands or will it have finished? Also, have either of you seen a Pine Martin?

[honeybun]

Yes there will be heather  and yes I've seen a pine Martin but only in a wildlife park.
Have seen loads of red squirrels though.

Bramble is not that far from me. I'm coast and she is inland.

How long do you think the journey will take you given the fact the motorway kind of runs out just north of Glasgow.


Honeybun
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[Dulciana]

Do take rain gear, as well, Unhinged.   

[CLKD]

We had 4 nights in our camper at Luss in September.  No midges.  Fab weather.  Lots of scenery to sit and enjoy or to explore.  Friendly people. Good food. 

We went to Oban.  Where there is a Distillary  .  Rhu and Helensburgh were relaxing with lovely views.

Almost 10 years ago we stayed in self catering close to Dornie and spent 4 days on Skye, again fab weather.

[Unhinged]

Yippee heather! And wildlife, we're going out with a guide and he reckons we will see the red squirrels, red deer, pine martins, eagles and seals, I've got my binoculars ready.

I am estimating about 12 hours allowing for stops, I'm from down south, the furthest I've driven before is to Carlisle and that was about 8 hours. I'm used to driving from my previous job, was up and down the country every week, and I like it, it's an adventure but a 'safe' one, I feel like I'm at home in my car, so I don't mind if it takes longer. I've even driven to Greece a few times in my younger days, I'm quite a spirited sort - probably why the anxiety hit me so hard. AA says 11 hours, which is a steady pace.

Bonnie Scotland here I come! x

[Unhinged]

Thanks Dulciana, I'm going shopping, rain gear is what I don't have!

CLKD, thankyou - I've noticed there are a few distilleries ha ha, I do enjoy an occasional scotch! Where is Luss?

Any recommendations anyone of places I really shouldn't miss that is within reach of our Fort William base?

[CLKD]

Which Company are you going with?

Allow lots of time from the South, it took us 9 hours from Coventry to Glasgow  - once through the City outskirts, by the airport and there - in the distance is SCENERY! 

Luss is on Loch Lomond