What do you look forward to in the springtime?
Perhaps if you dislike winter, you look forward to warmer weather, more sunshine, spending time outside. If you live in southern Europe, close to the Alps, perhaps you look forward to the last of the snow. One last chance to go skiing at the end of the season.
Here in Scotland, we look forward to warmer weather, increased sunshine, lambs gamboling in the fields, daffodils growing in the verges, and less rain (for those of us who are optimists, or whose glass is always half-full, as we say!). Indeed, it is generally thought that following our typical April showers (short-lasting heavy – occasionally – bursts of rain), May is one of the best months in Scotland for good weather. That and September, of course.
Many people in Scotland regard the changing of the clocks, at the end of the first quarter of the year, as the beginning of spring. When this change occurs, Daylight Saving Time is invoked, and we move the clocks forward one hour. Although not a British expression, I have always found the phrase, “Spring forward, Fall back” useful as a way of remembering which direction to move the clocks. “Fall” is an American word for the autumn. In English, to “spring forward” is to jump, and we nearly always jump in a forwards direction. When we fall, it is often said that we fall backwards. It’s a clever way to remember which way to move the clocks (assuming anyone still has any of these, not connected to the internet). Anyone else simply lets digital technology take care of this for them.
Another English expression favoured by some is, “April showers bring May flowers”. In other words, the rain showers in April help the flowers to grow and blossom in May. This is certainly the case in Scotland.
Once we reach spring, when it is warmer, drier, flowers are beginning to bloom, and the hours of daylight are longer, it is great to be able to go for walks in the Scottish countryside, perhaps even indulge in some hill climbing. Outdoor activities begin again after the winter and some tourist attractions which will have been closed through the winter, open up again. Visiting large, impressive buildings such as Scone Palace is a pleasure, as you can often go for a walk in extensive grounds and gardens, and enjoy tea, coffee and cake in the various tearooms and cafes which open their doors again for the tourist season.
Another advantage of visiting Scotland in the spring is that you are usually ahead of the “midge” season when hundreds of thousands of tiny flying insects begin to hatch and can make your outdoor life a misery, but more of that on another occasion!
For now, if you have been in the habit of visiting Scotland in the spring, perhaps before or after Easter, why not plan your visit for 2022 now? I would highly recommend making an early booking, as there will be “pent-up” demand following the pandemic.
If you are a “glass half-full” person and always look forward to the spring, but haven’t considered visiting Scotland at that time, why not change your usual plans and do something different in 2022?
Come to Scotland – spring into our country and culture. It’s great!
CoolScot Tours – Discover Scotland’s warmth