We often get asked, “When is the best time to visit Scotland?” It’s not an easy question to answer – the country is easy to fall in love with no matter what time of year you decide to visit. But, the best time of year to visit Scotland also depends on the traveller. Nature lovers look forward to the lovely Scottish summer months, while travellers who want fewer crowds will love the winter months.
Planning what time of year you want to visit Scotland can be overwhelming. Luckily, we’ve broken down each season and month so that there’s something to look forward to no matter when you choose to travel. From events, day trips, seasonal highlights, and more — read our complete guide for the best time to visit Scotland!
Let’s jump right into it.
Spring in Scotland
As the ice melts, the winter winds calm to make way for the beautiful Spring season in Scotland. As the country’s attractions break free from their winter hibernation, travellers can look forward to visiting historical sites, seeing Scottish wildlife and attending events. Spring in Scotland offers a wealth of opportunities for travellers before the peak season arrives in the summer months.
Early Spring in Scotland still has chilly days, making packing warm clothes necessary. Towards the middle of the season, however, visitors can look forward to sunny days and moderate temperatures as the year transitions to Summer. The season also offers plenty of attractions tailored around the theme of growth and rebirth, including the Spring Fling Open Studios, the Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival, and the fiery Beltane Festival.
Let’s break down the season month by month, so you know what to expect during the Spring months of March, April, and May.
March
Weather: Mixture of Rainy, Cloudy, and Dry, Sunny Days
Average Temperature: 9℃
March begins the yearly transition from Winter to Spring, and is a turbulent month for guessing the weather. Most of the snow starts to melt along the slopes, but the snow-capped peaks will persist for a bit longer.
For those who want to savour the last of the winter months before Spring fully sets in, take a road trip to Scotland’s beautiful Cairngorms and Highlands. While you’re in the Highlands, ensure you jump at the opportunity to explore the outdoors without worrying about crowds. It’s the best time to see historic attractions, as long as you don’t mind bringing a jacket.
Early and late March also brings numerous art festivals to look forward to, including the Glasgow Film Festival, the Glasgow International Comedy Festival, and the Braemar Mountain Festival. Pair the festivities with delicious in-season seafood—brown trout, oysters, and sea kale are all at their peak season during March! It’s also your last chance to try roe venison, fresh squash, and parsley.
For more information on Scotland in March, take a look at our complete guide to equip yourself for an early Spring holiday.
April
Weather: Cloudy and Dry, Sunny Days with rare Rainy Days
Average Temperature: 12 ℃
April holds milder weather but is still one of the driest months of the year (bring chapstick!). It’s also one of the last opportunities for visitors to enjoy the snow-capped peaks for skiing and snowboarding (April sees the closure of ski resorts in West Scotland and the Cairngorms). Cyclists and nature lovers can look forward to seeing baby sheep and birds throughout the abundant natural landscapes.
Travellers can look forward to Beltane in Edinburgh, the fiery pagan festival that sees thousands climb Carlton Hill to enjoy fire-based performances and herald the end of Winter. There’s also the Edinburgh International Science Festival and Edinburgh Harp Festival, making Scotland’s capital the place to be during April. While you’re there, make sure to enjoy the in-season Spring greens!
The Highlands are exquisite during April, thanks to the off-peak season, with attractions defrosting from their Winter break. If you’re a road trip enthusiast, watching the pockets of flowers bloom from the car window as you drive along the quiet North Coast 500 is the ultimate getaway before the Summer heat. Take a look at our complete guide to Scotland in April right here.
May
Weather: Cloudy and Dry, Sunny Days
Average Temperature: 13 ℃
As the year turns to May, the thought of Winter becomes a distant memory. Flowers and fauna become more abundant, and the dry weather makes it perfect for planning trips without fear. But May is most well known for being “Whisky Month” in Scotland, a country that treats whisky as though it were water. Whiskey enthusiasts should make use of the last bit of this shoulder season to make their rounds of Scotland’s best distilleries.
While May is an attractive time thanks to warmer weather, you should be aware that May has the most public holidays, making attractions much busier. May is an excellent time to climb Munros, with the Newton Stewart Walk Fest, Arran Mountain Festival, and more encouraging climbers before the Summer heat arrives (and the return of the dreaded midges).
Food and drink festivals are abundant during May, and the month heralds the arrival of tender lamb, strawberries, and goat’s cheese—hearty food to accompany a wee dram or two of Scotland’s finest whiskies. We’ve written more about why May is one of the best times to visit Scotland here.
Summer in Scotland
Come June, July, and August, and Scotland sees its Summer season. In the summer, Scotland comes alive with tourists, all eager to see the plentiful attractions throughout the nation.
This peak season is overflowing with activities to do, from playing a few links courses in St Andrews, attending art and cultural festivals like the Highland Games, and the opportunity to see Scotland’s thriving wildlife.
The summer months are an excellent time to visit the country (if you don’t mind a few crowds here and there). It’s the time of year when Scotland offers the most things to do, so let’s break down what you can expect from each month while visiting Scotland.
June
Weather: Mostly Sunny Days, with some Overcast
Average Temperature: 15℃
By June, Scotland becomes a playground for visitors. With extended daylight hours, you can enjoy filling up your schedule with things to do without fear that the day will slip away from you. The Highland Games are a particular highlight of June (although they begin in May) and feature traditional music and sports born from Scottish history—the perfect chance to get stuck in!
Speaking of the Highlands, visitors to the West Coast and Isles of Scotland can look forward to dolphins during the June season. Leaping from the water, Scotland’s wildlife is one full display and a simple boat tour away. The average temperature also makes hiking, climbing, and exploring Scotland’s natural attractions a delight, with a special mention of the cycling routes around the Cairngorms and Loch Lomond.
Foodies can look forward to some of Scotland’s finest produce at its most fresh! Lobster, fresh raspberries, strawberries, tayberries, and fibre-rich greens taste their best during June and July. The Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh takes place in June and offers the best opportunity to taste local cuisine. We’ve written a guide about Scotland in June for you to read right here.
July
Weather: Mostly Sunny Days
Average Temperature: 18 ℃
Welcome to the peak of the Scottish summer! If weather is your top priority when considering the best time to visit Scotland, then July should be the top of your list. While July is quite a bit more busy than the shoulder seasons, there are still plenty of quiet locations in the Outer Hebrides and Isles to see. Orcas and seals are especially common to see during the July season in the Shetland Isles, and new seal pups are born during this month.
Another advantage of visiting Scotland in July is the long daylight hours. At the height of July, you can experience over 17 hours of daylight hours, with extended twilight. While a 3 AM sunrise may sound dreadful, you won’t be complaining when you have hours and hours to explore some of Scotland’s top historical sites like Balmoral Castle, Calanais Standing Stones, and events like the Inverness Highland Games.
Berry season is abundant in July, with rare mushrooms like chanterelles also in peak season during Scotland’s warmest months. Foodies will have their fill pairing of these berries and fungi with the Scottish coastal cockles and winkles. Take a look at our extensive guide to Scotland in July if you’re interested.
August
Weather: Mostly Sunny Days
Average Temperature: 18℃
Last but not least, August is the last of the Scottish summer months you can enjoy. Scotland likes to spend the last of the summer holidays in still and puts on some of its best festivals during its peak tourism season. You can look forward to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, and the Edinburgh International Festival!
If large crowds aren’t your thing, then why not make use of the long daylight hours and go island hopping in the Inner and Outer Hebrides? Many of Scotland’s puffin population are still around in August before they migrate south for the Winter. Bird hides and animal reserves are especially active in August, so if you’ve ever wanted to see red squirrels, pine martens, and deer, then now’s your chance to do so.
Finally, August is a great time for food — especially grouse, lamb, apples, and mushrooms. If you want a hearty meal with ingredients as fresh as you can get them, then make sure August is on your agenda. Here are some additional festivals, foods, and fun you can look forward to when visiting Scotland in August.
Autumn in Scotland
As the Earth tilts away from the Sun, Autumn creeps over the Scottish Highlands. While the long days of Summer shall be missed, Autumn is a shoulder season that you should heavily consider when planning your trip to Scotland. It’s one of the best times to go to Scotland, not only because of the good weather and smaller crowds but the lower prices too!
While Autumn brings with it more rain, it’s the perfect opportunity for photographs as the landscape transforms into a paradise of oranges, yellows, and reds. Bring your camera, as Autumn is the most beautiful of the four seasons in Scotland. The Highland Games wrap in Autumn, with the Braemar Gathering offering you a final chance to see traditional games and Scottish culture at its most epic.
That’s only the tip of the iceberg. Let’s tackle Autumn month by month so you know exactly what to look forward to.
September
Weather: Cloudy with Rain and some Sunny Days
Average Temperature: 16℃
Since September marks the transition between Summer and Autumn, you get the best of both worlds! The summer weather persists for a few weeks, crowds peter out, and the midges finally cease their pestering. If you’re planning on a city break to see Edinburgh Castle, explore Glasgow, or see Loch Ness, then September is a fantastic time to do so.
September is the last month where you can enjoy the delicious fruit harvest, with apples, pears, blackberries, and strawberries. Late September also brings with it the finale of the Highland Games, the Braemar Gathering. This beautiful event just north of Pitlochry is several months of games culmination and an unmissable attraction for anyone who loves Scottish culture (and the British Royal Family).
Check out our complete guide to Scotland in September if you want to know more about this excellent tourist month.
October
Weather: Cloudy with Rain and some Sunny Days
Average Temperature: 12℃
October is a food lover’s season! The autumnal colours of the country offer a beautiful setting to enjoy a wide range of cuisines that are as fresh as they can be. You can enjoy seafood like lobsters, oysters, and clams until mid-October, as well as Scottish game like red deer, wild duck, and grouse. Late October also offers the chance to eat fresh pumpkin and parsnips, especially with Halloween around the corner.
If you’re a big foodie, October is considered by many to be the best time to visit Scotland and enjoy their traditional foods. But food isn’t the only reason to visit Scotland in October, for the beautiful autumn colours make the country art piece to be appreciated on forest paths and untouched landscapes. While the weather in Scotland in October can be temperamental, a crisp woodland walk is well worth the extra layers.
The arrival of October also allows you to get your first glimpses of the stunning dark skies at sites like the Galloway Dark Forest Park. The Northern Lights are still rare to see, but the northernmost corners of the country are your best chances to catch them. While you’re patiently waiting for the Northern Lights, why not attend the book festivals like the Scottish International Storytelling Festival or the Orkney Storytelling Festival?
Here are a few more excellent things to do while visiting Scotland in October.
November
Weather: Cloudy with Rain and some Sunny Days
Average Temperature: 9℃
For tourists, November marks the closure of many attractions and businesses until Scotland’s Spring of the next year. However, for those who don’t mind the arrival of snow on the peaks and in the Highlands, there are a few amazing things to do even as Autumn transitions into Winter. The open attractions, like the Cairngorms National Park and National Galleries, are a haven to explore during November due to fewer crowds.
The highlight of November is St Andrew’s Day, which takes place on the 30th of the month. The day celebrates Scotland’s patron saint, and is a great reason to drink a few drams of whiskey with the locals (if the temperatures drop weren’t enough of a reason already)!
November’s serene and quiet atmosphere provides a superb opportunity to go camping in glamping near Scotland’s finest attractions—imagine roaring log fires, excellent whiskey, and the unfiltered Scottish landscape surrounding you.
Winter in Scotland
Although the daylight hours are the lowest, many attractions are closed, and winter in Scotland is anything but boring. In fact, after the November lull, the country comes alive with local festivals and activities, especially in the festive season. From Hogmanay, Burns Night, and many more, you can be treated to a side of Scottish culture that few people see.
Scottish winter food is also sublime—equal parts hearty and rich—and pairs excellently with a local dram of whiskey. The Winter season in Scotland is a hidden gem for those who don’t mind a bit of rainy weather. Here is the month-to-month winter season broken down.
December
Weather: Dry, Cold Days with Occasional Showers
Average Temperature: 7℃
The December period is packed full of unique activities and things to do, with many of Scotland’s most celebrated holidays condensed into the month. Christmas markets, New Year’s Eve parties, and the famed Edinburgh Hogmanay Party are more than enough to put you in the holiday mood! The Winter festivals come with their Scottish traditions and food, including Cranachan, Cock-a-Leekie soup, and Christmas Toffee Pudding.
Touring the nation, the Cairngorm Reindeer Herd leave their home in the Cairngorms to show school children and adults alike the magic of Santa Claus and Christmas if you manage to align your schedules to when the Reindeer Herd visit, you won’t be disappointed!
Finally, the arrival of snow on Scotland’s mountains means that winter sports activities open up once more. Ski resorts and snowboarding are available in the far north of Scotland’s mountains and munros, with the Winter Scotland tourist season flocking to these snow-laden paradises. Please read our full Winter in Scotland guide before booking your trip.
January
Weather: Cold Days, with Intermittent Rainy Days
Average Temperature: 6℃
After the celebrations in December, January offers a relaxed and calm opportunity to bask in the serene Scottish Winter before the tourist cycle starts anew. If the thought of enjoying the snow-covered Scottish landscape with a loved one, away from the cities, is your ideal holiday, then January is the best month to visit Scotland.
But January isn’t without its events either, for on the 25th of January is Burns Night, the birthday of famed poet Robert Burns. Burns Night is usually celebrated with a Burns Supper (the branding is strong), often Haggis with tatties and neeps (mashed potatoes and turnips). It’s a really delicious addition to any foodies’ holiday, so try it out of Scotland!
Looking for more hidden gems for Scotland in January? Read our complete guide.
February
Weather: Cold Days, with Intermittent Rainy Days
Average Temperature: 7℃
Our final month is the shortest, but that doesn’t mean that February is lacking in things to do. In fact, as the Winter weather begins to peter and the low season rounds back to Spring, opportunities arrive for the conscious traveller to Scotland. February is an excellent time to go birdwatching, with many migratory geese, ducks, and swans flying to Scotland to shelter themselves.
Budding birdwatchers should check out the birds at the Loch of Strathbeg, Mull of Galloway, and North Ronaldsay. In addition to being a bird watcher’s paradise, February is also host to several festivals that should not be missed. The Fort William Mountain Festival, which celebrates all things mountain climbing related and the Snowdrop Festival at Edinburgh’s Royal Botanical Garden should be going straight into your calendar.
Valentine’s Day also takes place in February, so if a snow cabin overlooking the Scottish Highlands with good food and drink sounds like a nice break to you, then February is your month. Read more about February in Scotland right here.
When are the Best Seasons to Visit Scotland?
The best seasons to visit Scotland are late Spring, Summer, and early Autumn. The two shoulder seasons compromise improving weather conditions with fewer crowds, while the summertime Scottish weather is the envy of the nation.
When is the Best Month to Go to Scotland?
The best months to go to Scotland are May, June, September, and October. These four offer the most activities to do and the best weather to enjoy Scottish culture and attractions. The other months on the Scottish calendar, like December and July, are definitely honourable mentions, but nothing can beat the opportunities of these months.
Weather in Scotland: Pro Tips & Tricks
Scotland’s weather can be extremely unpredictable, no matter what time of year you’re visiting. There are some tips and tricks you learn from living in Scotland to ensure that you keep the weather from getting the best of you. Here are some of the top things to remember when planning for the weather during your visit:
- Scotland’s west and east coasts are often supremely windy, so pack a jumper and windbreaker no matter what time of year. The West Coast often gets the most rain in Scotland, while the Lowlands are the mildest.
- Always carry something warm with you, even if you’re planning to visit in Spring or Summer.
- Bring sunscreen during the Scottish summertime. The last thing you need on your holiday is a sunburn.
- Prepare for the worst. Scotland is known for having four seasons in one day, so always have your umbrella, hoodie, and boots.
How to Avoid Midges
During Summer, Scotland experiences the arrival of the midges. These flies are partial to biting and sucking the blood of unsuspecting tourists and can be quite a painful nuisance if not combated. If you want to make the most of the outdoors without coming back looking like you have chickenpox, follow these tips to avoid the pesky critters:
- Avoid dawn and dusk-time activities.
- Wear insect-repellant protection.
- Burn Citronella candles.
- Avoid still ponds and lakes.
- Don’t leave your skin unprotected; cover up as much as you can.
- Keep the windows closed to your apartment or B&B.
Frequently Asked Questions
Deciding the best time to visit Scotland isn’t easy. If you still have some burning questions on when and why you should visit during the year, then read through our extensive frequently asked questions. Equip yourself with the most practical advice and make your holiday the best it can be!
When is the Best Time to Visit Scotland?
The shoulder seasons are often considered to be the best time to visit Scotland. Why? Well, you avoid midges, large crowds, and inflated tourist prices while still enjoying a comfortable climate.
Late Spring or early Autumn is the best time to travel to Scotland, with May, September, and October considered to be the best months to visit Scotland if you want to avoid crowds. For those who don’t mind sharing attractions, it’s difficult to argue against June as the best time of year to go to Scotland.
Winter in Scotland is still beautiful and offers its own attractions, but November is the worst time to visit Scotland as the weather turns for the worse and many of Scotland’s most famous attractions close for the year (usually as early as September!).
What Should I Pack for Scotland?
Always pack something warm and cosy, no matter what time of year you plan to visit. Whether it’s the Highlands and Isles or the Lowlands, Scottish weather is famously unpredictable, with overcast clouds and showers of rain showing up unannounced even during the drier months of the year. A warm parka, jacket, boots, and long pants are the essentials, but we’ve written an entire piece on how to dress for Scottish weather if you want more information.
When is the Peak Season in Scotland?
June, July, and August are considered to be the peak season in Scotland. These months are during the Scottish Summer, the best time to visit Scotland weather-wise. But with the peak season comes crowds, so come expecting a queue or two at many of Scotland’s most famous attractions, including Edinburgh Castle, Balmoral Castle, the Cairngorms National Park, and more.
The peak season offers the most things to do in Scotland, with festivals, musical events, nature walks, and more, all taking advantage of the long daylight hours.
