Advice sought on interrupting a brew, or not.

[Hughtheboatman]

Hi all, I have a kit brew underway and have found that I will be away for several days around the time when it is ready to bottle.
Is it better to switch off the heater and switch it back on when I return (I'm in the Scottish Highlands, room temperature around 10C ) or just leave it and hope for the best?

I have found that my kits - usually Simply - seem to develop a white surface scum within a day or so after fermentation is complete. Without informed advice I'm tempted to pull the plug before going away. TIA

 

[An Ankoù]

Normally, is be inclined to leave it on. What temperature do you set it at? How long will it have been fermenting before you go away? What is this white surface scum of which you speak? Is it a yeast raft or a pellickle? Does it have any particular odour? Can you adjust the heater so that it's not quite as warm as you would normally have it, but better than your room temperature?