Our verdict
The best time to visit Scotland is April-June
The very hottest temperatures in Edinburgh, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Scotland, tend to reach around 20℃ (67℉) in the height of summer. The weather at night in the winter, which is around January-time, can get down to a minimum of -1℃ (30℉) in Edinburgh. Other destinations in Scotland can sometimes get even colder than this, so if you’re planning on visiting a few different places, make sure you check out the climate comparison table below.
If you want to get the most out of your time visiting Scotland, or you’re just afraid of the dark, the days in June are usually the longest between sunrise and sunset. The wet season in Scotland falls around August, so if you prefer the dryer weather, you should look to visit in April instead.
Keep reading to find out more detailed information about the seasons and climate in Scotland, explore hidden gems and destinations to visit while you’re there, discover our favourite tools to help you find the best options for transport, accommodation, and much more.Quick links: Fast facts / Seasons / Average temperatures / FAQs / Map
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Scotland seasons
Before you plan your trip, it’s important to know when the seasons are as they may be different to yours depending on where you’re travelling from. Scotland is in the Northern hemisphere, so the seasons fall on:
Season | Months |
---|---|
Summer | June to August |
Autumn/fall | September to November |
Winter | December to February |
Spring | March to May |
Best time to visit the top destinations in Scotland
We’ve put together a breakdown of the average minimum and maximum temperatures by month, as well as the best times to visit for each. To learn more about these destinations including detailed climate breakdowns and much more, click or tap the city/destination name below.
City | Best time to visit | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aberdeen | May-June | ↑↓ | 5℃3℃ | 6℃3℃ | 8℃3℃ | 10℃5℃ | 12℃6℃ | 14℃9℃ | 16℃11℃ | 16℃11℃ | 14℃10℃ | 11℃8℃ | 8℃5℃ | 6℃3℃ |
Bowling | June | ↑↓ | 5℃2℃ | 6℃1℃ | 7℃2℃ | 11℃4℃ | 13℃6℃ | 16℃8℃ | 17℃10℃ | 16℃10℃ | 14℃9℃ | 11℃7℃ | 8℃4℃ | 6℃2℃ |
Edinburgh | April-June | ↑↓ | 5℃2℃ | 6℃2℃ | 8℃3℃ | 11℃4℃ | 13℃6℃ | 16℃8℃ | 17℃11℃ | 17℃10℃ | 15℃9℃ | 12℃7℃ | 8℃4℃ | 6℃2℃ |
Fort William | April-June | ↑↓ | 3℃-0℃ | 3℃-0℃ | 6℃1℃ | 9℃3℃ | 11℃5℃ | 14℃7℃ | 15℃9℃ | 14℃8℃ | 13℃7℃ | 10℃5℃ | 6℃2℃ | 4℃0℃ |
Glasgow | April-June | ↑↓ | 5℃1℃ | 5℃1℃ | 7℃2℃ | 10℃4℃ | 13℃6℃ | 15℃8℃ | 17℃10℃ | 16℃10℃ | 14℃8℃ | 11℃6℃ | 7℃3℃ | 5℃2℃ |
Inverness | June | ↑↓ | 4℃1℃ | 5℃1℃ | 7℃2℃ | 10℃4℃ | 13℃5℃ | 15℃8℃ | 17℃10℃ | 16℃10℃ | 14℃8℃ | 11℃6℃ | 7℃3℃ | 5℃1℃ |
St Andrews | May-June | ↑↓ | 6℃3℃ | 6℃3℃ | 8℃4℃ | 10℃5℃ | 12℃7℃ | 14℃9℃ | 17℃11℃ | 16℃12℃ | 15℃10℃ | 12℃8℃ | 8℃5℃ | 6℃3℃ |
Isle of Arran | June-September | ↑↓ | 7℃5℃ | 7℃5℃ | 8℃5℃ | 10℃7℃ | 12℃8℃ | 14℃11℃ | 16℃13℃ | 15℃13℃ | 14℃12℃ | 12℃10℃ | 10℃8℃ | 8℃6℃ |
Shetland Islands | June-September | ↑↓ | 7℃5℃ | 7℃5℃ | 7℃5℃ | 8℃6℃ | 9℃8℃ | 12℃10℃ | 13℃12℃ | 14℃13℃ | 13℃12℃ | 11℃9℃ | 9℃7℃ | 8℃6℃ |
Explore Scotland
Top FAQs
Check out these guides for the top must-see destinations in Scotland: