Weather in Scotland

Scotland’s climate is cool and wet with extreme variations in daylight hours—from as little as five hours in mid-winter to 20 hours in mid-summer. There’s only about a 20-degree difference between average winter temperatures—in the low 40s Fahrenheit—and average summer temperatures, which are typically in the mid-60s F. Nights, year-round, are much colder than daylight hours. Average temperatures are always about 10 degrees colder than London temperatures. Though there is very little snow in Scotland’s major cities, snow and fog in the Highlands and high mountains is not uncommon and can often catch hikers by surprise.

Scotland’s coast is so profoundly indented that its climate is almost island-like. Coast-to-coast at its narrowest point—between the Firth of Forth at Edinburgh and the Firth of Clyde at Glasgow—it’s only 25 miles wide. No one is ever more than about 45 miles from the sea. The influence of the Atlantic Ocean and its Gulf Stream to the west and the North Sea to the east moderate weather extremes but also create substantially different conditions between east and west. The west of Scotland is wetter and slightly colder, with fewer sunny days than the east.

Scotland’s Midge Seasons

Fans of outdoor pursuits in Scotland need to prepare for the country’s plagues of midges, tiny biting insects that swarm in clouds so thick they sometimes look like fog. The females first emerge in May. They don’t bite but are everywhere and are easy to inhale. Come June, the males, who do bite a lot, hatch. Later in the year, if the spring has been unusually warm and humid, there will be another wave of biting midges, mostly along the west coast, that hatch at the end of August or early September. Unfortunately, these months are also the most pleasant weather-wise. If you visit the beaches and the Highlands during midge seasons, bring plenty of insect repellent and avoid bare arms and legs. Campers should fit their tents with insect-proof netting.

The Seasons in Scotland

Regardless of what the calendar says, from a practical point of view, Scotland really has only two seasons, winter and summer. From mid-October through the end of April, the temperature variation is only about five degrees Fahrenheit. Though there may not be much snow—except in the mountains—wet, blustery weather can make these months bitterly cold. June, July, August, and sometimes September are the summer months with the best chance of milder, dryer temperatures and clearer skies. September is kind of a toss-up. If it’s dry, the heather-covered hills turn beautiful shades of gold and crisp, brisk temperatures prevail. But September is just as likely to be a wet, chilly month with damp, penetrating cold, even indoors.

The Different Regions of Scotland

The weather in Scotland and temperature by month can vary considerably by region. Here’s a general guide:

The Lowlands

The difference between the Highlands and the Lowlands can seem more cultural than actual, but Scotland is split by a real geological division. It’s called the Highland Boundary Fault, and it runs from Arran and Helensburgh, just west of Glasgow to Stonehaven, just south of Aberdeen on the east coast. The cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh and the parts of southern Scotland, known as the Borders, are in the Lowlands. Visitors come here for Scotland’s major museums and festivals, its historic castles in Edinburgh and Stirling, for salmon fishing on the Tweed, golfing in St Andrews, and outdoor activities in Perthshire.

The weather across this region, coast to coast, is broadly similar—generally cloudy skies from October through May, windy and cold winters, and very little chance of snow or freezing temperatures. The windchill factor in the very hilly cities of the Lowlands makes winters seem much more bitterly cold than the mercury would suggest.

The most significant difference is an east/west divide, with Glasgow and the west of this area having about twice as much rain as Edinburgh and the east. But this is mostly a matter of degree. In Glasgow, one of the U.K.’s rainiest cities, average monthly rainfall during the wettest months—between September and January—is about 21 inches, and the daily chance of rain hovers around 50 percent. In Edinburgh, on the dryer east coast, the rainiest months are November through January, with the daily chance of precipitation a bit less than 40 percent. Average winter temperatures range from 34 to 45 degrees F, and average summer temperatures at the end of July/beginning of August range from 52 to 66 degrees F.

It’s the hours of daylight that change dramatically with the seasons. In mid-winter, there are seven hours of daylight; in mid-summer, the day lasts more than 17 and a half hours.

The Highlands and Islands

This is the designation usually given to the Western Highlands, the county of Argyll, Loch Lomond, and the Trossachs National Park, Islay, the Isle of Skye, the inner and outer Hebrides and many of Scotland’s most beautiful lochs. Visitors flock here for the region’s stark and dramatic mountain scenery, loch-side cycling and hiking, whisky tourism, and the many opportunities for sports and adventure in Glencoe and through Fort William.

Being in the west, wetter part of Scotland, this is a rainy region. During the winter months of heaviest rainfall, as much as 4.7 inches per month can fall. But since the temperature rarely drops below 34 F in winter, there is little snow except on the mountain tops. Summer temperatures average about 65 F. The best chance of clear, dry weather for this area’s outdoor activities is from the end of June to the end of August.

In the islands, the presence of the Gulf Stream moderates temperatures, so you can expect cool summers and moderate winters with the mercury rarely falling below 37 F. There is, however, a lot of rain—nearly five inches a month during the heaviest rainfall months of November to January. In summer there is plenty of daylight to enjoy the outdoors. On the longest day, in June, the sun rises around 4 a.m. and doesn’t set until after 10 p.m., giving over 17 hours of daylight. That makes up for the short winter days, with mid-winter clocking up only six hours and 45 minutes of daylight.

The Cairngorms

The enormous Cairngorm National Park, in central Scotland, is the country’s most significant wilderness region and its coldest. The royal residence, Balmoral, is located here, and the house and grounds are visitor attractions when the royal family is not in residence. It is also the center for Scotland’s winter sports with its most popular and reliable ski areas. While other regions, notably Ben Nevis and Glen Coe in the Highlands, have ski areas, they are more likely to rely on snowmaking equipment than the ski areas of the Cairngorms. Winter temperatures here range from 30 F to 38 F with a much colder wind chill factor in the high mountains. The snowiest season lasts from the end of December through February, but snow remains on the highest peaks until well into spring. During the summer months, in July for example, the temperature ranges from 42 to 53 degrees. It is cloudy more often than clear. Days are long, reaching nearly 18 hours of daylight in mid-summer. In December, on the other hand, there are only six hours and 40 minutes of daylight.

Winter in Scotland

Winter in Scotland lasts about nine months. From late September through the end of May, you can expect cold, wet weather punctuated by occasional bright, clear, and frigid days. Cloud cover holds heat closer to the ground, so when Scotland’s skies are clear and starry at night, or bright and blue during the day, the temperatures will be the coldest. Because Scotland has a generally damp climate, the cold is penetrating and more uncomfortable than the temperature might indicate.

What to pack: Bring warm, waterproof outerwear, hats, gloves, and boots. Pack some fleece tops to layer over long-sleeved T-shirts and sweaters if necessary. Make sure you have water-resistant shoes and plenty of dry socks if you plan to spend a lot of time outdoors. And bring warm sleepwear. Even though central heating and home insulation have improved dramatically in Scotland, the Scots like to keep their homes much cooler than most Americans are used to. Pack cardigans or light jackets to wear indoors. If you’re planning a city break in Edinburgh, Glasgow, or Dundee, you’ll still want to pack a proper winter coat, winter accessories, and warm shoes.

Summer in Scotland

The warmest it gets in Scotland is between mid-June and mid-September; this is when visitors have the best chance of sunshine. Although the average high temperature throughout Scotland at this time of year is in the mid-60s, it is just an average. Record-breaking heatwaves, in line with the current climate extremes worldwide, are not unheard of. But nights can still be 10 to 15 degrees colder than days, so be prepared—and don’t forget about the midges.

What to pack: Bring a raincoat or a waterproof poncho to layer over your backpack. Pack a quilted or fleece vest—what the British call a gilet. If you’re traveling in May, June, or early September, be sure to include lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and long pants to protect against the midges. And buy some insect repellent designed explicitly for Scotland’s midges. Camping and outdoor suppliers usually sell it. Bring sunscreen as well. The days are long, and the hard angle of the northern sun, mainly reflected off lochs, can be surprisingly intense. In terms of your general wardrobe, include layers that you can add or remove to suit the changing weather conditions and your level of activity. It can just as quickly be hot as chilly.

To sum up the weather in Scotland: Whether you go in winter or summer, you can expect some rain. It can also be very windy, so foldable umbrellas have a pretty short lifespan. We’d recommend bringing waterproof outerwear and hats instead. It’s easy to pick up an inexpensive umbrella after you arrive if you really need one.