Is our Highland Adventure a bust?

[Ahdinnaeken1]

The last few times we’ve visited the Highlands on holiday we’ve been lucky; the sun was out most days and the midges stayed away.

We’re due to visit again on Wednesday for three weeks- Edinburgh, Avimore, Skye and Glencoe. The forecast for the rest of August is awful. There is a high chance of heavy rain every day and so we don’t know whether to go ahead or cancel. How bad will it be?

We’ll have our primary age children with us, and lots of wet weather gear but honestly, three weeks of rain does not sound like a holiday. At least if we’re at home, we’ve got things to do. It’s not the same in a holiday cottage.

My DH is Scottish but moved to England with his family when he was young. He loves visiting his family and has been looking forward to this trip for months. Would you go or stay?

Dance in the rain and all that, i'd still go.

It can be four seasons in one day in Scotland. Take the raincoats and umbrellas and enjoy what you can

If your husband is Scottish, he should know that if you let the rain stop you, you'd never do anything!

I think the same - we should go for it (I’m Welsh so used to some rain!) but he’s really not keen on going if it’s going to chuck it down solidly for three weeks. I need some words of encouragement for him.

BTW, impressive response time, thank you!

it has been very wet but not all day every day if you know what I mean. I would definitely still come but be prepared for some changeable weather.

The forecast here yesterday was for thunder & heavy rain. In actual fact it was a gorgeous day & i was sitting in my garden

Never bad weather just the wrong clothes..
Invest in some decent Scotland appropriate attire..
Ime.

Central Scotland has been torrential last few days. You'll get good weather in between and there's plenty to do. Pack for all weather the DC will have fun regardless, all part of holidaying in Scotland!

Not Scotland, but I almost didn't go to a week long camping trip last week because of the forecast. Turned out we got out almost every day for most of the day and only got soaked once. One day it was only about 90 mins but we still enjoyed the time together in our wee tent (in fact, we'd been so busy it was a relief to just chill!) Have a lost of cinemas, leisure centers, soft play,libraries etc as well as outdoor places you could visit for an hour if there's a break in the weather.

Nobody would ever visit Scotland if they were worried about the rain.

It does feel like it been one long torrential downpour since schools broke up though.

I’ve returned from a rainy trip from Devon - you need to plan more in bad weather - museums, cinema, theatre, trampoline and inflatables, aqua dash, cafe trips etc - it’ll cost you more to entertain them indoors.

and if the sun is out, get out (with a rain mac) and don’t count on it hanging about.

personally, I’d do two weeks and a week somewhere hot abroad if you can - I LOVE Scotland but it really can rain for what feels like most of the summer.

It's been hit and miss despite rain being all over the weather forecast. Chances are you'll end up with plenty sunny days

No weather forecast is accurate more than a week in advance. It's not likely to rain for 3 full weeks. Go and enjoy.

I don't really trust weather forecasts North of Edinburgh tbh and they also change a lot of the time!

Edinburgh you have plenty of rainy day activities available, Aviemore a few or just do wet activities where your wet anyway!
It's always worth looking at the forecast in comparison with something an hour away for instance. We have driven from the West Coast to the East Coast for the day when staying up near Ullapool as its about an hour went from torrential rain to sunshine!

The long range forecast won’t be reliable, anything beyond about three days. It might be fine.

Why would you cancel because of some rain? When seeing family too?

It was meant to be torrential today (West of Scotland) but the sun is splitting the skies at the moment and it's been dry all day. I'm raging because I deliberately put off putting a wash on!

The forecast is depressing, but you really do never know. I get so fed up of the black cloud with sunrays and raindrops symbol - it feels like the weather centre is hedging their bets!

On the up side, it's still felt warm.

The thing about Scotland ime is while the forecast may say rain it could be a literal burst of water then sunshine. Ime it's the holiday destination that can cover all 4 seasons in a day or 2!! We do Mull in October. Usually a vest top, sun glasses and walking boots!

NGL, I'd hate it, getting wet, even in waterproofs is just not something I enjoy, however it's Scotland so I'm assuming you were prepared to take the risk.
Just Google plenty of inside things too.

I would go but if it turns out to be particularly grim then go home a little earlier than planned.

I’m in Perthshire. Yesterday was a lovely day with the exception of 2 fairly torrential downpours lasting less than half an hour combined.

This morning the sky is blue and the sun is out but the same is expected.

Yes it’s been strange - yesterday in the park it was sunny and roasting one minute, then windy, and at some points grey and rainy!

SW Scotland here - it's been dire. Yes we do get the odd sunny morning afternoon but the rain has been unusually torrential. So walks in the wood? not much fun, outdoor play areas? no going on slides etc, camping? - everything damp.
This followed 6 weeks of blazing sun and NO rain (very unusual).

I really feel for visitors to the area. But it's due to improve on Thurs.
Carefully check the forecast and see where the driest bits are - it might be driving distance away.

If you want an accurate forecast and are on Facebook, I highly recommend windy Wilson’s page.

Thanks for your words of wisdom! Of course, UK holidays come with the risk of rain so we’ve packed extra layers and coats and we’re on our way. Thanks for signpost to Windy Wilson @tacomaco

As an aside: what on earth has happened to Tebay Services? It’s always been our go-to; the start of our holiday. They have somehow perfected a dry yet greasy breakfast. Even the eldest who eats any and everything turned his nose up. Sad times. I hope it’s not an omen.