Best time to visit Scotland

April to May and September to October. Month by month below, with the weather, what's on and what it costs to fly there from your city.

April to May and September to October

Most sources point to spring (April and May) and early autumn (September and October) for decent weather and thinner crowds; May and September come up most.

“May and September are considered to be the best months to visit Scotland because the weather is generally good during these months.” exoticca.com
“The two shoulder seasons, from April to May and September to October, are arguably the best times of the year to visit Ireland and Scotland.” celebritycruises.com
“Best Months: April | May | September | October” zicasso.com

5 of the 9 travel guides we read name these months.

Scotland month by month

Average high and low in Edinburgh, and days with rain

January45°F / 35°F · 12 rainy daysChecking fares…Burns Night is on 25 January; Up Helly Aa fire festival is held in Shetland.Up Helly Aa, a Viking fire festival, takes place in Shetland.Celtic Connections
February46°F / 35°F · 10 rainy daysChecking fares…Snow in the Cairngorms draws skiers and snowboarders; few visitors overall.Calm and quiet with cooler weather and shorter days; ice climbing and snowshoeing are on offer.Winter Words Festival
March50°F / 37°F · 10 rainy daysChecking fares…Spring weather is unpredictable and still chilly.Edinburgh Science Festival · Glasgow International Comedy Festival
Best timeApril54°F / 41°F · 9 rainy daysChecking fares…One of the drier months, not peak season, with good travel deals and longer days.Warms up and nature comes back to life; the Isle of Mull is a draw.Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival is held in late April.
Best timeMay59°F / 45°F · 10 rainy daysChecking fares…Warmer weather suits the Highlands, and the Highland games season begins.Late May has a lesser chance of rain and more sunny days than September, with long daylight.The last weekend in May is a Bank Holiday, so places are busier and pricier.Edinburgh Marathon Festival
June63°F / 50°F · 10 rainy daysChecking fares…Often the driest month in parts of southern Ireland and sunny in both countries; Highlands daylight past 10 pm.A good month to explore East Lothian's coast and golf.TRNSMT Festival
July67°F / 53°F · 12 rainy daysChecking fares…Glasgow's arts and music scene is lively.The Open Championship
August66°F / 53°F · 10 rainy daysChecking fares…Edinburgh Fringe and the Edinburgh Festivals bring crowds; midges are a nuisance in the Highlands.Highlands midges can be a nuisance in August.Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Best timeSeptember62°F / 50°F · 10 rainy daysChecking fares…Mix of rain and dry spells, with golden foliage and the Braemar Gathering ending the Highland Games season.Weather can be hit and miss: an extended summer or early cold.Wigtown, Scotland's National Book Town, is a September pick.Braemar Gathering
Best timeOctober56°F / 44°F · 12 rainy daysChecking fares…Wettest month in Scotland, with nearly six inches of rain on average.Perthshire is known for autumn colour in October.Some tourist offices and hotels in the Highlands close for the low season.Scottish International Storytelling Festival
November50°F / 39°F · 12 rainy daysChecking fares…Last of the fall colour early in the month, first snow later; off-season rates apply.Edinburgh events honour St. Andrew.Edinburgh Christmas Market
December45°F / 35°F · 12 rainy daysChecking fares…Christmas lights and markets in towns and cities; ski season starts in the Highlands.Sun sets at 3:44pm in Glasgow on the winter solstice.Edinburgh's Hogmanay

Weather: Edinburgh averages from Met Office (long-term averages), as listed in its climate table on Wikipedia.

Every date to Scotland from your city

Live fares from your airport. Watch them and we alert you when they drop.

What's on in Scotland

Festivals and seasons through the year

Busy, quiet and what to watch for

Busiest

June through AugustWarmer weather, long light days and school holidays.
June to AugustPeak tourist season, especially at popular spots like the Isle of Skye; book ahead.

Quietest

November through FebruaryShort, often rainy days, but attractions belong to locals and museums are easy to get into.
Spring and fallAlso the cheapest time to visit, per one source.

Watch for

Late autumnLate fall tends to be the rainiest time of year in Scotland.
June to AugustMidges are notoriously irritating in the Highlands in summer.
October to winterSome Highland attractions and hotels close in the low season.
September to OctoberAutumn is one of the wettest seasons in the Highlands.

Questions people ask

Which month is best for Scotland?: Sources name May and September most often, with April and October also suggested for thinner crowds.
Is it better to visit Ireland or Scotland?: One source says Ireland tends to be slightly cooler and wetter, while both share a mild climate.

More about Scotland

Best Places to Visit in Scotland17 places

Best time to visit Scotland

April to May and September to October

Scotland month by month

Every date to Scotland from your city

What's on in Scotland

Busy, quiet and what to watch for

Busiest

Quietest

Watch for

Questions people ask

More about Scotland

Best time to visit other places

Best time to visit Scotland

April to May and September to October

Scotland month by month

Every date to Scotland from your city

What's on in Scotland

Busy, quiet and what to watch for

Busiest

Quietest

Watch for

Questions people ask

More about Scotland

Best time to visit other places