Alright, let’s talk about Scotland. I learned this the hard way, really. I had this bright idea a few years back to sneak in a trip during the off-season. Thought I was being clever, you know? Fewer tourists, maybe save a bit of cash. So I booked flights for late November.
Landed in Glasgow, and honestly, the vibe felt a bit… subdued. It wasn’t pouring rain right away, which I counted as a win. Picked up the rental car, feeling pretty good. The plan was to drive up through Glencoe, maybe hit Skye. Classic stuff.
The Reality Check Kicks In
Day one of driving north was okay, just grey. But man, did it get dark early. Like, 3:30 in the afternoon dark. It felt like the day was snatched away before it even got going properly. Suddenly, those long scenic drives I pictured felt rushed, always racing against the fading light.
Then the weather really turned. It wasn’t just rain; it was that sideways, bone-chilling kind of rain mixed with sleet sometimes. Driving became less of an adventure and more of a white-knuckle crawl on some of those Highland roads. Visibility dropped massively. More than once, I just pulled over somewhere safe and waited for the worst of it to pass, losing precious daylight hours.
And finding stuff open? That was another thing entirely.
- That cute little distillery tour I wanted? Closed for the season.
- The castle perched dramatically on the cliff? Yep, shut ’til spring.
- Even some cafes and B&Bs in the smaller villages were boarded up.
It wasn’t everywhere, obviously. Cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow are always buzzing. But if you’re dreaming of exploring the more remote, scenic bits, winter throws up some serious hurdles. The infrastructure just kind of scales back. Fewer ferry services running on winter schedules too, which messed up my vague Isle of Skye plans.
So, What’s the Takeaway?
Look, I’m not saying never go in winter. If you want cosy pubs, city breaks, and maybe some snow on the peaks (from a distance, unless you’re properly equipped!), it can work. But for the kind of trip most people imagine – exploring widely, seeing the big landscapes, enjoying outdoor activities – it’s just tough going.
November through February, that’s the period I personally steer clear of now for a big Scotland exploration trip. The short days, the unpredictable and often harsh weather, and the reduced services just stack up against you. It felt less like a vacation and more like an endurance test at times.
Oh, and while we’re at it, folks talk about the midges in summer (June to August mainly). Tiny biting things. They didn’t ruin a summer trip I took once, but yeah, they can be intensely annoying, especially near water and at dawn/dusk. So, maybe ‘bad’ depends on your tolerance for being eaten alive versus dealing with dark, cold, and closures. For me, after that November experience, I’ll take my chances with the midges over the deep winter struggles any day.
