After I was on a Scotland street journey with my buddies final summer season, we had a operating joke about how “ugly” it was. Each cease was simply extra hideous than the final. Why would anybody wish to go to Scotland in July?
Hopefully you possibly can decide up the sarcasm in that joke. As a result of actually, I’d be comfortable to go to Scotland at any time of the 12 months. The surroundings is beautiful and the persons are beautiful. I can’t think about why anybody would wish to go to (wink, wink.)
However in case you insist on visiting Scotland in July, listed below are a couple of causes to speak you out of it.
It’s too Shiny
In July it stays mild till after 10:00 p.m. at evening and even later the additional north you go. How annoying. What are you able to presumably do with all that daylight? Take extra day journeys? Go on lengthy hikes? Have extra time to discover? Who wants all that? Don’t we simply need extra time to sleep after we are on trip? Ha, ha!
One evening whereas I used to be staying on the Isle of Skye and speaking to my husband on FaceTime, I confirmed him the sheep outdoors my door and he couldn’t imagine how mild it was at 10:30 p.m. You do have to remind your self to go to mattress however I’m a summer season particular person so I like it. And if it REALLY bothers you, convey a sleep masks.
It Would possibly Rain
It’s true. It’ll most likely rain. And perhaps even be windy. It’s Scotland in any case. I’m undecided you possibly can keep away from that in any month. Scotland climate may be very changeable and although summer season isn’t the rainiest month, if you may make it by a visit to Scotland with out seeing a bit of rain, depend your self fortunate — I haven’t managed it but.
However on my two journeys to Scotland (as soon as in July and as soon as in September), I additionally had a couple of days of lovely blue skies. The purpose is, you have to be ready for all types of climate, which is straightforward in case you comply with my Scotland packing listing.
Locations get Crowded
Colleges in Scotland get out in late June and by mid-July in the remainder of the UK so you possibly can anticipate to see loads of households on trip. It will imply that you have to pre-book tickets to some sights, equivalent to Edinburgh Citadel. Automotive parks at fashionable sights and hikes may additionally replenish through the top of the day.
This may truly get annoying so you have to plan round it. Be sure that to learn my Scotland journey ideas and plan to get an early begin while you wish to go to fashionable trailheads or sights just like the Fairy Glen or Quirking.
However belief me, crowds in Scotland are nonetheless fairly manageable. We aren’t speaking in regards to the throngs on the Eiffel Tower or Colosseum. With a lot stunning nation to discover, it isn’t exhausting to get away from different folks.
Accommodations Get Costly
If you understand something about economics, you understand the legal guidelines of provide and demand. With the crowds come increased demand for a restricted variety of resorts, particularly in locations just like the Isle of Skye or the Outer Hebrides. When demand goes up, so does the value. You have to to plan early to search out the extra handy and reasonably priced lodging.
You’ll be able to learn my article to search out out how a lot a visit to Scotland prices, however take into account that staying within the countryside is cheaper than the cities and staying in a rental cottage or flat versus resorts may even prevent some cash.
You Want Reservations
The factor about folks is that additionally they wish to eat. And on trip, which means eating places. Some eating places within the countryside would possibly shut at 8:00 p.m. or on sure evenings, making it a bit of more durable to satiate your urge for food outdoors of the cities. Simply ensure to plan forward and make dinner reservations and you may be wonderful. Or, anticipate to eat a complete lot of fish and chips takeaway.
Midges Would possibly Chunk You
Midges, typically referred to as No-See-Ums in the US, are small biting flying bugs which can be greater than annoying. Their small bites may trigger irritation and swelling, like a mosquito chew. You might be particularly more likely to encounter these nuisances within the Western Highlands and in sheltered and boggy areas.
The nice half about rain is that it retains the midges away and the cooler climate encourages you to put on long-sleeved shirts and lengthy pants to guard from the midges. You might also wish to decide up some insect repellant and produce alongside an insect web to place over your hat.
I lucked out once I was in Scotland in July and didn’t encounter any midges in any respect. Even once I walked all the best way throughout England on Hadrian’s Wall Path in August I didn’t encounter any, however I feel I simply acquired fortunate. Normally all of the biting bugs like to suck my blood.
There’s Too A lot Going On
You don’t wish to do something cultural, proper? Spending a day attending some native Highland Video games sounds simply terrible…right? Granted, August is even busier with the Fringe Competition and Royal Tattoo. However July remains to be a occurring time in July full of festivals, live shows, backyard and chateau excursions, and Highland Video games.
So have I satisfied you to keep away from Scotland in July? I hope not.
In all seriousness, July is a wonderful time to go to Scotland. Through the summer season months, the common temperatures are a excessive of 59-63°F (15-17°C) and lows are between 47-52°F (8-11°C). Positive you may even see some rain, however hopefully additionally some sunny skies. And sure, there will probably be extra folks, however you simply have to plan forward a bit.
In actual fact, I’d argue that regardless of the above causes, it’s truly fairly beautiful in Scotland in July.
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Tamara Gruber is the Founder and Writer of We3Travel. A former advertising govt and journey advisor, Tamara is an award-winning journey author and acknowledged knowledgeable in household journey, named the Media Member of the 12 months for 2023 by the Household Journey Affiliation. Tamara is a member of SATW, the Journey Journey Commerce Affiliation, and the Household Journey Affiliation. She can also be the writer of YourTimetoFly and the co-host of the Trip Experts journey podcast.
