Weather
Come rain or shine, we promise your spirits will never be dampened by the weather in Scotland.
Scotland’s reputation when it comes to the weather is well-known, and slightly unfair. The weather in Scotland actually tends to be quite moderate and changeable, but is rarely extreme. You might experience ‘four seasons in one day’, but travel 20-30 minutes in any direction and the weather is generally completely different! There’s no bad time of year to visit Scotland, with plenty to see and do regardless of the elements. After all, as the old saying goes, ‘there is no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes’!
SPRING: (MAR/APR/MAY)
AVERAGE TEMPERATURE HIGH/LOW
12°C/4°C (54°F/40°F)
13 hours
55mm
Spring is a truly beautiful time to visit Scotland, flowers begin to bloom and the incredible cherry blossom appears in a burst of colour. A milder climate also sees much of our amazing wildlife begin to pop their heads out for the first time and greet eager ramblers. Spring is the undoubtedly the perfect time to get your walking boots on and explore the Scottish countryside. Even if you do get hit by the occasional April shower, it will help to blow away those winter cobwebs and give you a truly invigorating experience you’ll never forget.
SUMMER: (JUN/JUL/AUG)
18°C/11°C (64°F/52°F)
17 hours
60mm
Stoater – fantastic (‘it’s a stoater of a day th’day')
Summer in Scotland is festival season; a time when you can not only enjoy Scotland’s best weather, but also the very best in the arts and entertainment. With highlights including the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the largest arts festival in the world, there is no end to the amazing things to see and do. Our northerly latitude also means we benefit from incredible long summer days and beautiful extended twilight. All this means there is more time for you to pack more experiences into a summer trip and create a lifetime of memories.
AUTUMN: (SEP/OCT/NOV)
13°C/7°C (55°F/45°F)
11 hours
70mm
Oorlich – damp and chilly (‘it’s gey oorlich oot there')
WINTER: (DEC/JAN/FEB)
7°C/2°C (45°F/36°F)
8 hours
60mm
Jeelit – freezing (‘it’s fair jeelit outside’)
Even during Scotland’s coldest season there are plenty of experiences to warm you up. New Year’s Eve, known as Hogmanay in Scotland, is a truly unique occasion; even as the temperature drops to its lowest, everyone comes together to celebrate. From Stonehaven’s swirling fireball parade to Edinburgh’s spectacular fireworks display over Edinburgh Castle, there is something to suit everyone. Winter is also the perfect time to warm yourself with a dram of Scotland’s best loved export: whisky! There are literally hundreds of whisky distilleries spread across the country providing plenty opportunities to sample the local tipple.
NATURE AND OUTDOORS
Magnificent mountains, atmospheric glens, dramatic coastlines, picturesque lochs and rivers and fabulous forestry: no wonder Scotland’s scenery has a reputation for being among the most spectacular in the world.