What is the best time to visit Scotland? Pros and cons
What is the best time to visit Scotland?
Oh, if only there was a categorical answer to this question that we so often receive!
Every time of year has its charms and disadvantages, and today we will compile them all so that you can set a date for your trip.
Take note: we will tell you when to travel to Scotland depending on the weather, daylight hours, accommodation prices and other factors.
Once you have decided on the time, get to work with our step-by-step guide to preparing a trip to Scotland!
The weather in Scotland
You will surely have read that in Scotland all four seasons of the year can occur in the same day, and this is not an unfounded cliché.
The weather in Scotland changes in the blink of an eye, and often several times throughout the day: in a few hours you can witness all possible shades of grey and fog, rain, wind, sun… And start all over again!
That means that the tips we’ll compile below aren’t foolproof, and no matter how carefully we plan, the Scottish sky often makes us improvise.
Even so, we also want to stress from the start that, no matter how adverse or unpredictable the weather is, you’re sure to enjoy it to the fullest. Every trip to Scotland is unique, and no rain can spoil that!
What is the best time to travel to Scotland?
The quick answer: for us, the best time to travel to Scotland is the months of May, early June and September. A little further down we’ll tell you why in detail.
However, no two trips are the same, so ask yourself these questions first: what is the reason for your trip and what would you like to see in Scotland?
Spending a weekend in Edinburgh, where you can take shelter from bad weather in dozens of places, is not the same as taking a route through the Highlands or going in search of the Northern Lights in some remote place.
In this article we will give you some general advice, but don’t forget to check the temperatures, daylight hours and rainfall in the area of the country you are going to.
Here we tell you what the weather is like in Edinburgh throughout the year.
Spring and autumn in Scotland: pros and cons
As we told you, our favourite months to visit Scotland are May, June or September for several reasons.
To start with, because, although the temperatures are moderate and you will almost certainly wear a coat, they are months with little rain and invite you to spend a lot of time outdoors.
Travelling in May or June
Another fantastic aspect is that, in both May and June, the days are very long (sunset falls between 9:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.). This allows you to cover more activities and, if you are travelling around Scotland, to put more places together in one day.
Having more daylight hours is also invaluable because if you do happen to have one of those days when it rains and stops raining a thousand times, you are more likely to get a break at some point and be able to take advantage of it.
Another reason why we think this is the best time to travel to Scotland is that, although the tourist season is getting more lively, in May and early June you will still find good prices on accommodation, much better than in July and August.
There is not as much demand, and that means that you can also enjoy many places in peace, without the crowds of summer.
From the end of September, the crowds also disappear again until Christmas arrives.
In addition, May is a wonderful time to see birds, such as puffins, in places such as the Bass Rock and Craigleith Island (near Edinburgh) or the Isle of May, and to spot dolphins from places such as Chanonry Point.
Traveling in September or October
In September and early October, the chance of rain is higher than in May or June. But even though the days are starting to get shorter, you can still expect plenty of daylight hours (depending on the time of the month, the sun sets between 7pm and 8pm).
Temperatures are still pleasant (which in Scotland means moderate), and with the changing colour of the landscape, this is an ideal time for hiking and nature excursions.
Still, if you’re looking for autumn colours, keep in mind that the most intense autumn colours tend to occur from mid to late October. It’s also a good time to travel, although the cold and shorter days are already noticeable.
Travelling in late September or October? Experience the magic of the season with these 10 places to enjoy autumn in Scotland.
Winter in Scotland: pros and cons
We are often asked if it is a good idea to travel to Scotland in winter, if it snows, if it is too cold…
Is it worth visiting Scotland in winter?
If you intend to stay in cities like Edinburgh or Glasgow, the season will not affect you too much, since almost all the attractions are open and there is always some activity or restaurant where you can take refuge when it is cold or rainy.
☃️ Here we give you some tips for visiting Edinburgh in winter, to spend Christmas in Edinburgh or to experience Hogmanay, the Scottish New Year.
And if you want to take a road trip through Scotland? We always answer that, if it is the time when you can travel and the destination excites you, go ahead: you will surely enjoy it!
But, if you can afford to choose, our advice is to wait until the end of March.
The reason? The few hours of daylight there are at that time, rather than the cold or snow that usually worry travelers so much.
You can always equip yourself against the cold. As for snow, in the north of Scotland snowfall is common, and, although it is not normal, some secondary roads can be closed (always check the Traffic Scotland website for updated information).
The landscapes, although far from the greenery of summer, are also spectacular: the mountains turn ochre and brown, with snowy peaks and dull tones.
But the few hours of light greatly condition the route, especially if you have only a few days.
You will have to get going very early to make the most of the day, since around 4 pm it is already dark and you will not be able to enjoy excursions and nature (although a dram of whisky in a pub is never a bad idea!).
☃️ How about signing up for an organized excursion? From here you have a 5% discount on 1-day tours in Spanish from Viajar por Escocia. Or you can take a look at the companies offering tours in Spanish in Edinburgh and Scotland.
Attraction closures
Also, some attractions close at the end of October and don’t reopen until early April.
These tend to be secondary attractions, never the biggest ones (for example, castles like Edinburgh or Stirling are open all year round), but it’s another aspect to keep in mind when planning your trip to Scotland in winter.
Finally, and for the same reasons, we recommend waiting until at least April to venture to the far north of Scotland or the Orkney and Shetland Islands.
With a few exceptions: if you want to go hunting for the Northern Lights or if you want to take part in the Up Helly Aa Viking festival in Lerwick.
Summer in Scotland: pros and cons
Is summer the best time to travel to Scotland? Many travellers assume that summer is a safe bet. But, as you can probably already smell as you read this guide… it’s not that simple!
Weather
Late spring is actually usually a more pleasant time of year, as July and August are much wetter.
And, apart from a few wonderful days, don’t expect summer temperatures, shorts or the ability to take a dip, no matter how heavenly the beaches may seem.
Well, there are always brave Scots who dare to take a dip… but they are made of different stuff!
Festivals and tourism
The biggest drawback to visiting Scotland in summer, though, is that July and August are the peak months for tourism.
The Highland Games, the Highland Games and many other festivals take place, and not only will you find more people on the roads and at the sights, but you will also pay a lot more for accommodation.
The most outrageous example is in the capital: the Edinburgh Festival in August is a great time to visit the city if you want to soak up the shows and street art.
But hotel prices are multiplied and places fill up quickly.
If you’re on a budget, May, June and September are the best months to stretch your pounds to the maximum.
Take note of these tips and tricks to plan a cheap trip to Scotland.
Even so, and as we mentioned, July and August are the peak of the influx of travellers and festivals as typical as the Highland Games, so you’ll also be immersed in a lively atmosphere wherever you go.
After all, in Scotland it’s very easy to find corners where you can enjoy the calm as soon as you get away from the more typical places.
Another advantage, especially if you intend to take a road trip through Scotland, is that the days are very long, with light until 9:00-10:00 p.m. in latitudes like Inverness, so you can make the most of them and cover more areas.
And one last incentive to visit the country in summer: the heather that covers the landscapes in purple!
Other tips for travelling to Scotland depending on the season
Here are some tips for your trip:
If you are travelling to the Highlands or the west coast of Scotland in summer, take mosquito repellent with you to combat midges, clouds of tiny and very annoying mosquitoes. On the Midge Forecast website you can see what level of midges you will find (they start publishing it from May).
Calendar of holidays and celebrations in Scotland. Some of the most important festivals take place in August (the Edinburgh Festival), throughout the summer (the Highland Games), at the end of January (Up Helly Aa in the Shetland Islands) and in December (Hogmanay, the Scottish New Year’s Eve, in Edinburgh and other places).
Also Read : Best Time of Year to visit Hawaii in 2025
When travelling, take clothing in layers, so you can take it off and put it back on with the changes in the weather. Take note of what to pack for travelling to Scotland.
A waterproof and windproof jacket will be your best ally in Scotland, so that the almost constant wind and rain do not prevent you from continuing with your plans as normal. Most Scots do not even bother to open their umbrella (which almost always ends up upside down because of the wind) and protect themselves with the jacket.
If you are going on a nature walk, comfortable footwear (and, if possible, waterproof) is also essential.
In our preparations for traveling to Scotland you have these and many other tips.
Travel when you can
We have tried to provide some reasons for you to choose the best time to travel to Scotland in your case, but we still have one last piece of advice, the most important: do not take them literally and, if your dream is to visit the country… do it when you can!
After living there for a long time and travelling around Scotland often, we have enjoyed incredible days in the middle of winter and endless weeks of rain and cold in the middle of summer, spring days that start grey and windy and end up being splendid…
As the Scots say: if you don’t like the weather, wait 10 minutes! And you will fall in love with Scotland no matter when you visit it.
And you, what month did you choose to travel to Scotland? Did the weather affect the trip a lot, or did you enjoy it just the same? Tell us about your experience in the comments!
