The Best Time to Visit Scotland | A Complete Seasonal Guide
Planning a trip to Scotland and wondering when’s the best time to visit? After 15+ years of living and travelling all around Scotland, here’s my recommendations for the perfect Scottish getaway.
Updated for this year.
Scotland is home to some of the UKs best road trips and most beautiful places. However, the potential for adventure is always mixed with the risk of unpredictable weather and you’re probably asking, when is the best time to visit to Scotland?
As a Scotland native, it’s a question I’m asked a lot.
And whilst I’d consider our cities and wild places a year-round destination, the best time to visit Scotland completely depends on what type of trip you’re looking for.
Seeking an outdoor adventure before the crowds arrive? Then spring and autumn are for you. However, summer is warm and light, perfect for picnics and wild beaches.
Road trippers should also consider late autumn, which is both quiet and a riot of beautiful colours. Whilst winter is ideal for lovers of snowy walks, woolly jumpers, and roaring pub fires (for the record, I’m very much in this category).
After many years of living and travelling all around Scotland, in every season, my short answer on the best time to plan your Scottish getaway is April, May, early June, late September, and October.
However, my love of cosy season and snow capped mountains means I’d never rule out winter.
My short guide will tell you exactly what to expect from each of Scotland’s seasons, and help you choose the best time to visit.
best time to visit Scotland
Spring months
March, April, and May
Spring is often considered the best time to visit Scotland. The months of March to May tend to be quiet and peaceful, with fewer vehicles also meaning quieter roads. Accommodation is easy to book in spring, whilst tourist hotspots are free from crowds.
In March, the weather can still be a little wet – with occasional signs of snow on the hills. On the plus side, March is a fantastic time to pick up a discount in many hotels looking to tempt travellers out of season.
It’s the month of April which marks the official start of the season, with campsites, hotels and restaurants that closed over winter finally opening their doors.
From April the days also start to lengthen and there’s a good amount of daylight and mild weather meaning it’s warm enough to be outdoors. This is the perfect time to discover new hiking trails and walking routes.
Spring is a time for slow travels, the first camp of the year, for a cheeky G&T outdoors. Go island hopping to see wildflowers carpet sand dunes on the Outer Hebrides. And pastel pink sunsets on the west coast.
Personally, I think spring is one of the best times to visit Scotland, when the temperature is starting to warm up and the days are getting longer. Yet there’s few other travellers and you have the attractions and landscapes all to yourself. And during the spring months it’s highly unlikely you’ll see midges; it’s still a little too chilly for them to come out of hibernation.
From experience, April and May are particularly great months for road trippers and the months I choose for visiting places like Fife’s harbour villages. Or going island hopping to Skye, Mull, or Arran.
Summer months
June, July, and August
Summer can be lovely and warm, with long evenings, sunny days, and beautiful sunsets. Wild beaches are prime for picnics and the sea is just warm enough to dip your toes in. And lochs calm enough to head out for a SUP or wild swim.
But summer is also the busiest time to visit Scotland, with a spike in tour buses on the roads and crowds gathering in popular spots.
After all, July and August are the peak tourism months for the UK with both school holidays and influx of travellers from around the world. Last year we visited the Isle of Skye in August only to find the Skye Bridge closed by the police – there were literally too many people on the island for services, sites, and stays to handle.
Also be aware of the price of accommodation in summer. It’s both expensive and fills up early and you’ll need to book your stays well in advance. Then there’s the dreaded midge: summer is when midges (and ticks) are at their absolute worst so be sure to carry repellent.
From experience, I’d say that early June is a great time to visit Scotland - before the summer crowds arrive and the weather is lovely. And for city breakers, check out the Edinburgh Festival and the Royal Military Tattoo in August.
But if you’re seeking a peaceful summer getaway, minus the crowds, then choose a lesser-known destination. For me, the remote Ardnamurchan peninsula, the villages around pretty Loch Awe, and coastal Argyll are ideal summer options.
Autumn Months
September, October, and November
Autumn is a stunning time to travel around Scotland and easily one of the best times to plan a trip.
The weather is mild and you’ll want to pack a waterproof and warm layers in your daypack. Early autumn in Scotland is also a great time for outdoor activities like hillwalking and kayaking – it’s usually pretty pleasant.
Though fellow wild swimmers should beware that the water temperature takes a plunge in autumn; pack your wetsuit and a big flask of hot chocolate!
The out-of-season months from mid-September to November are quieter for tourism, which means a gentler pace at well-known tourist spots like the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct.
Daylight starts to dwindle, usually from early October and expect darkness to fall from around 4pm in November. Autumn evenings are therefore the perfect time to find a cosy cabin with a wood burning stove.
Of course, in autumn the landscapes are at their most beautiful. Forests canopies are tinged with crimson and gold, and orange leaves are crunchy underfoot. Some of the best places to see the autumn colour in Scotland are Ardnamurchan, Loch Lomond, and the Cairngorms with their ancient woods.
Personally, I think September to mid-October are a wonderful time to visit Scotland.
Winter months
December, January, and February
Winter is cold in Scotland and can be stormy - but it is also be stunningly beautiful with fresh, frosty sunny days and sparkling blue skies.
Snow starts to fall on the hills from around the end of October (especially in the Highlands) and one of the best things to do is visit Glencoe, where the mountains are jaw-droppingly beautiful when dusted white.
Whilst it goes without saying that inexperienced walkers should stick to low-level trails when the snow falls, there’s another wintery outdoor activity that thrives – skiing! Head to Aviemore, Glenshee or the Lecht for ski and snow board fun.
Of course, there’s no getting away from the fact that winter in Scotland can also be on the wild side. The west coast islands in particular feel the brunt of the bad weather, so prepare for rain and wind and pack accordingly!
Car drivers will also want to take extra care on (or avoid) more remote Scottish roads in snowy conditions.
On the other side, Scotland does look particularly atmospheric in winter, and the gloom adds a wonderfully moody vibe. This is especially true in Edinburgh, which is extra wonderful during December when the Christmas Markets arrive.
Dark evenings and clear skies in Scotland’s most northern parts also play host frequently to the northern lights, so be sure to look upwards in winter!
Finally, but by no means least, winter is the best time to visit Scotland to avoid midges. It’s simply too cold and snowy for the biters to make an appearence.
Pro tip / It would also be remiss of me not to mention that many attractions and some hotels will be closed during the winter months - plan stays and stops carefully between December and the end of February. However, some hotels are perfect for a winter stay – winter means roaring fires and drams of whisky to warm up cold fingers and toes…
