Member Since: 01 Apr 2015
Location: Shropshire, UK
Posts: 1081
Scotland late October
thinking of doing the Northern 500 in October half term - so late October, driving round the edge of Scotland. I know it will rain, but will we just see low mizzle and murk, or might we get some beautiful days too? Probably staying in B&B/hotel not camping as likely to have my 85 year old father with us..... Anyone live there/go there often enough to be brave with a weather summary?
14th Sep 2016 9:11 am
Heath_DA
Member Since: 05 Aug 2009
Location: Stockport
Posts: 667
I hope its ok, that's when we're doing the N/C 500
14th Sep 2016 9:15 am
waterbuoy
Member Since: 26 Oct 2013
Location: Argyll
Posts: 2935
Late October is often good weather up here (all relative of course) - the last couple of years have been good. Having said that, maybe its because that is when we go on holiday
Back in 2005 the weather was so good that we even managed to grab a weekend sailing out to St Kilda and back!
Although a long way north of the south, there is still a lot of Scotland north of me so maybe others will be along to comment too.Currently 2009 Disco 3 SE, 2013 MY D4 HSE and 2016 D4 SE
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14th Sep 2016 9:54 am
Admirable
Member Since: 19 Jul 2015
Location: Fife
Posts: 1046
Big plus point = no midgies!
14th Sep 2016 9:59 am
GoBeyond
Member Since: 12 Jan 2009
Location: Eddleston
Posts: 858
We were up there August and it was wet and very windy.....
Looks like run down industrial units from the outside, but choctastic inside There is no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes.
14th Sep 2016 10:02 am
sean 471
Member Since: 26 Apr 2011
Location: Sheffield
Posts: 2990
I think that the weather tends to break down late October. Generally mid October is more settled, it's my birthday late October so have noticed this. Though the north west of Scotland In some areas has its own micro climate.
14th Sep 2016 10:03 am
pimackenzie
Member Since: 08 Jul 2012
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 73
Were up in Cape Wrath and Applecross area in the camper van late October, as we were last year, weather was good but the days were quite short that time of year.
Also you may see the Northern lights.
14th Sep 2016 10:08 am
Someone-Gone
Member Since: 21 Dec 2015
Location: Gone
Posts: 5117
October is normally coldish, short days and wet. The roads rarely dry out.
You might have been basking in 30 degree heat this week, we haven't. 12-14 degrees on a good day, under 10 degrees on a bad day. The darkness comes in about 7.30pm, but at the end of October, it will be about 5-5.30pm. We've also had rain pretty much every day.
Yet I have swum in the Minch in October - and I'm a feartie!A vaccine does not stop you catching a virus, or passing it on, or getting ill from it, really ill. It does reduce the likelyhood of you dying when really, really ill. Stay Alive - KEEP AWAY FROM PEOPLE.
14th Sep 2016 10:44 am
Someone-Gone
Member Since: 21 Dec 2015
Location: Gone
Posts: 5117
Yes, but you are north of Hardrians Wall and therefore despite what you say, as hard as nails.
14th Sep 2016 10:49 am
therso
Member Since: 01 Dec 2010
Location: Here!
Posts: 368
I've recently returned from my fourth trip this year to the 'top' and noted the increased traffic, some of which appeared to think that the NC500 was akin to the Indy500! Talking with the locals from East to West they all agree that it is only a matter of time before the first road death.
Some drivers and riders, including 'professionals' who should know better, have no knowledge of, or completely ignore, the concept of passing places and display a 'I'm coming through so get out of my f***ing way attitude'. There are also the idiots driving bloody big motorhomes on mostly single-track road (not to mention the even bigger driving tourist coaches) who not only lack spatial awareness but also think that they have priority by right. Motorcyclists don't get away scot-free either. There are those who undoubtably live in a dream world where they have taken on the persona of Valentino Rossi and treat this route as a MotoGP track!
The scenery is beautiful but I am beginning to feel that with the increase in traffic, the ignorance and lack of consideration shown by a minority will eventually turn this lovely journey into a trial of endurance and the scenery will take second place to surviving the trip.
14th Sep 2016 12:21 pm
Someone-Gone
Member Since: 21 Dec 2015
Location: Gone
Posts: 5117
^+1 couldn't have put it better myself.
Locals either travel at odd times during the silly season or avoid going anywhere until the Winter. Such a pity that idiots intent on their mission effect ordinary people going about their business. This 500 was one of the worst ideas the HIDB dreampt up, anyway the Caithness bit from Tounge to Inverness is very boring TBH. As SWMBO who was doing two lots of secondment last year and the year before at CGH says, "it's soul destroying."
14th Sep 2016 6:44 pm
Dexter
Member Since: 21 Sep 2007
Location: Aberdeenshire
Posts: 1394
Ever considered a career with the Scottish Tourist Board?
Weather can be changeable late October but can be very good, this was mid November last year, it was 16 - 18 degrees for a few days running:
No midges, getting quieter and lovely autumnal colours
16th Sep 2016 12:35 pm
Davethegeo
Member Since: 01 Oct 2015
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 920
+1 to Therso and The Dundonian. The NC500 is harming the place. The scenery is gobsmackingly stunning partly because the roads and the area cannot cope with a high volume of traffic. The NC500 might yet end up destroying the thing that created it.D1 300Tdi - gone
D2 Td5 ES (Alive remapped...mmm) - sadly gone
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16th Sep 2016 12:50 pm
xcentric
Member Since: 01 Apr 2015
Location: Shropshire, UK
Posts: 1081
so the trip appears to be on. Taking my 85 year old father who has mobility problems - with this in mind, anyone got any recommendations of places to stay (i.e. if bedrooms upstairs, a lift or shallow staircase preferred) around the route?
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driving tourist coaches) who not only lack spatial awareness but also think that they have priority by right. Motorcyclists don't get away scot-free either. There are those who undoubtably live in a dream world where they have taken on the persona of Valentino Rossi and treat this route as a MotoGP track!
