Best Time to Visit Scotland

Eilean Donan Castle 15a (Tony Hisgett)  [flickr.com]  CC BY 
License Information available under 'Proof of Image Sources'
On this page, you will find information about the climate and the best time to visit Scotland. We created climate tables and charts for the locations of Aberdeen und Edinburgh. These contain details about temperatures, precipitation and more.

Furthermore, we analyzed all climate data and provide a recommendation about which months are best to visit Scotland for your holiday.

Climate Overview

Thermometer Symbol 0 °C to 20 °C
Waves Symbol 7 °C to 15 °C
Rainy Cloud Symbol 1.613.43 in (9 – 18 Days of Rain)
Average Annual Temperature is between 7.9 °C (Aberdeen) and 9 °C (Edinburgh)
Show temperatures in degree

Best Time to Visit Scotland: Overview

JanuaryJan
MaximumMax. 6 °C
Water max. 9 °C
FebruaryFeb
MaximumMax. 7 °C
Water max. 9 °C
MarchMar
MaximumMax. 9 °C
Water max. 9 °C
AprilApr
MaximumMax. 11 °C
Water max. 11 °C
MayMay
MaximumMax. 14 °C
Water max. 11 °C
JuneJun
Best time to traveltime
PerfectPerf. climate in
Aberdeen
Edinburgh
JulyJul
Best time to traveltime
PerfectPerf. climate in
Aberdeen
Edinburgh
AugustAug
Best time to traveltime
PerfectPerf. climate in
Aberdeen
Edinburgh
SeptemberSep
Good time to traveltime
PerfectPerf. climate in
Edinburgh
OctoberOct
MaximumMax. 13 °C
Water max. 13 °C
NovemberNov
MaximumMax. 9 °C
Water max. 12 °C
DecemberDec
MaximumMax. 7 °C
Water max. 11 °C

Best Time to Visit the Regions

Find the best time to visit the regions (Scotland) in the following overview.

LocationBest Time to Travel
AberdeenJune, July, and August
EdinburghJune, July, August, and September

Climate Charts Scotland

In the following, you will find climate charts for the regions.

Furthermore, there are some charts you can use for quick comparison of climate between the regions.

Show Climate Chart for    

Aberdeen

Climate Chart Aberdeen
Show temperatures in degree

Edinburgh

Climate Chart Edinburgh
Show temperatures in degree

Day Temperatures

Show temperatures in degree

Night Temperatures

Show temperatures in degree

Average Temperatures

Show temperatures in degree

Water Temperatures

Show temperatures in degree

Precipitation

Source of Data: German Weather Service (Offenbach) and Wikipedia

Climate Tables Scotland

In the following, you will find some climate tables for Scotland, containing information about Temperatures, Precipitation, Water Temperatures, and Hours of Sunshine.
Show climate table for    

Temperatures, Precipitation, Sunshine in Aberdeen (Scotland)

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Day Temperature10°13°16°18°17°15°12°
Night Temperature10°10°
Water Temperature10°11°13°14°13°13°12°11°10°
Precipitation (inch)3.152.052.42.092.322.092.42.952.683.432.952.87
Rainy days13101211119101111121212
Hours of Sunshine234566554321
Show temperatures in degree
Temperatures
The annual average temperature in Aberdeen is 7.9 °C.

For comparison: London 11 °C, NYC 12 °C, LA 17.9 °C

Warmest month: July (13.7 °C)
Coldest month: January (2.9 °C)

The maximum water temperature in Aberdeen is 14 °C. Bathing would be very uncomfortable.

Precipitation
Overall annual precipitation: 31.38 inch on 134 rainy days

For comparison: London 24.06 in, NYC 41.57 in, LA 12.01 in

There is no rainy season (months with more than 6.9 in of precipitation).

Months that have possible snowfall: January, February, March, April, November, and December

Sunshine
As our climate table shows, June is the sunniest month with an average of 5.8 hours of sunshine per day. Over the year, there are 3.7 hours of sunshine per day on average. For comparison: London has 4.1, NYC has 7 and LA has 8.9 hours of sunshine per day on average.

Temperatures, Precipitation in Edinburgh (Scotland)

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Day Temperature11°14°17°19°19°16°13°
Night Temperature10°10°
Water Temperature10°12°14°15°14°13°12°10°
Precipitation (inch)2.241.652.011.612.012.012.242.562.642.562.482.28
Rainy days171416141413131517171616
Show temperatures in degree
Temperatures
The annual average temperature in Edinburgh is 8.5 °C.

Warmest month: July (14.6 °C)
Coldest month: January (3.3 °C)

The maximum water temperature in Edinburgh is 15 °C. Bathing would be very uncomfortable.

Precipitation
Overall annual precipitation: 26.3 inch on 182 rainy days

There is no rainy season (months with more than 6.9 in of precipitation).

Months that have possible snowfall: January, February, March, April, November, and December

Popular Activities

More attractions

Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Glencoe & the Scottish Highlands Tour | Edinburgh: Ghostly Underground Vaults Tour | Edinburgh: Edinburgh Castle Guided Tour w/ Fast-Track Entry | Edinburgh: 24-Hour Family-Friendly Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour | Edinburgh: Royal Attractions with Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours | From Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Glencoe, Highlands & Ben Nevis | Edinburgh: Palace of Holyroodhouse Ticket |

Current Weather and Forecast

Current Weather in Aberdeen
overcast clouds     overcast clouds, 7 °C
Clouds: 88 %       Wind: 1 mph
Air Pressure: 1032 hPa       Humidity: 93 %
Last updated: 7th Feb 2023, 11:24 am
The next days …
7th Feb 20238th Feb 20239th Feb 202310th Feb 202311th Feb 202312th Feb 2023
overcast clouds5 °C to 7 °Clight rain3 °C to 8 °Crain and snow3 °C to 6 °Covercast clouds2 °C to 9 °Cbroken clouds7 °C to 10 °Covercast clouds5 °C to 8 °C
5 °C to 7 °C3 °C to 8 °C3 °C to 6 °C2 °C to 9 °C7 °C to 10 °C5 °C to 8 °C
Clouds: 99 %Clouds: 96 %Clouds: 34 %Clouds: 100 %Clouds: 83 %Clouds: 100 %
No Precipitation0.01 in of rain0.01 in of rainNo PrecipitationNo PrecipitationNo Precipitation
Weather information provided by OpenWeatherMap. (CC BY-SA)
Show temperatures in degree

Important Regions and Cities

We have extended climate information for the following region:

Great Britain: Regions

Scotland is part of the holiday destination Great Britain. We analyzed the climate for additional regions, in order to provide you with information about the best time to visit and the expected holiday weather:

Scotland: Experiences of our Visitors

There are 7 reviews for Scotland holiday already. Average rating is 3.7 of 5 stars.
  1. Avatar Preview
    Heike, 65 years old was there in September

    The temperatures were pleasant. The weather is changing, but enough sunshine for hiking.

    Weather Rating: 3 stars – Mixed

  2. Avatar Preview
    Tine, 31 years old was there in November

    Just as it is when you drive through the Scottish Highlands in November – nevertheless fantastic!

    Weather Rating: 3 stars – Mixed

  3. Avatar Preview
    Susanna, 54 years old was there in August

    changeable but fantastic weather there was rain and sun and it was not cold.

    Weather Rating: 5 stars – Excellent

  4. Avatar Preview
    G. Kamhuber, 60 years old was there in June

    The Atlantic side was cooler approx. 16 – 20 degrees, in between rain showers also a whole day. The North Sea side brought it up to 24 degrees, but always a light, partly fresh wind.
    Rain, but only of short duration, so that one did not even come to stretch the umbrella. June is a good time to travel.

    Weather Rating: 4 stars – Good

  5. Avatar Preview
    Regina, 41 years old was there in April

    April 2015: Edinburgh & Isle of Mull. Surprisingly most of the 14 days were very sunny and pleasant, even if naturally fresh. Only one day rained.

    Weather Rating: 4 stars – Good

  6. Avatar Preview
    Richie, 46 years old was there in August

    Not too hot and not too cold and for standing acceptable water temperatures 😉

    Weather Rating: 4 stars – Good

  7. Avatar Preview
    Uli, 60 years old was there in August

    The weather was such that we could do something every day without an umbrella. On many days the rain didn’t come until the evening. We as hikers found the day temperatures between 15 and 19 degrees as pleasant.

    Weather Rating: 3 stars – Mixed

Share your Experience and Win

We want to know: how was the weather during your Scotland holiday? You can win a travel coupon of 1000 $. The price will be raffled among all submissions. Info Icon
When was your Scotland holiday?
Please rate the weather with 0 to 5 stars.
Describe the travel weather during your holiday in your own words!
First Name
years old
E-Mail (voluntary disclosure, will not be shared)
All information entered will be stored according to our privacy policy.
Loch Leven, Scotland (mendhak)  [flickr.com]  CC BY-SA 
License Information available under 'Proof of Image Sources'
Rock and Ruin (Chris Combe)  [flickr.com]  CC BY 
License Information available under 'Proof of Image Sources'
More Callanish Stones (Chris Combe)  [flickr.com]  CC BY 
License Information available under 'Proof of Image Sources'

Destinations in the Vicinity …

Preview: Best Time to Travel Bulgaria
Best Time to Travel Bulgaria
including Climate Table and Climate Chart
Preview: Best Time to Travel Serbia
Best Time to Travel Serbia
including Climate Table and Climate Chart
Preview: Best Time to Travel Fuerteventura
Best Time to Travel Fuerteventura
including Climate Table and Climate Chart
Preview: Best Time to Travel London
Best Time to Travel London
including Climate Table and Climate Chart
Preview: Best Time to Travel Rimini
Best Time to Travel Rimini
including Climate Table and Climate Chart
Preview: Best Time to Travel Andorra
Best Time to Travel Andorra
including Climate Table and Climate Chart