The best times to visit Scotland for ideal weather are
June 18th to September 9th
based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Read below for more weather and travel details.
Scotland Travel Guide
Other Scotland Travel Info
Weather in Scotland
Temperature
Average temperatures in Scotland vary somewhat. Considering humidity, temperatures feel cold for most of the year with a chance of rain or snow throughout most of the year. The area is less temperate than some — in the 12th percentile for pleasant weather — compared to tourist destinations worldwide. Weeks with ideal weather are listed above. If you’re looking for the very warmest time to visit Scotland, the hottest months are July, August, and then June. See average monthly temperatures below. The warmest time of year is generally early August where highs are regularly around 67.8°F (19.9°C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 50°F (10°C) at night.
Scotland Temperatures (Fahrenheit)
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Scotland Temperatures (Celsius)
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“Feels-Like” Temperatures
The way we experience weather isn’t all about temperature. Higher temperatures affect us much more at higher humidity, and colder temperatures feel piercing with high winds. Our perceived temperatures factor in humidity and wind chill to better represent how hot or cold the day feels to a person.
Scotland Perceived Temperature (F)
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Scotland Perceived Temperature (C)
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Average Scotland Temperatures by Month
Daily highs (averaged for the month) usually give the best indication of the weather. A significantly lower mean and low generally just means it gets colder at night.
Show Fahrenheit
Month | Avg. High (°F) | Avg. Mean (°F) | Avg. Low (°F) |
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Jan | 43.9 | 39.6 | 33.1 |
Feb | 45.4 | 40.2 | 32.6 |
Mar | 48.7 | 42.4 | 34 |
Apr | 54.8 | 46.9 | 37.3 |
May | 58.3 | 50.6 | 40.8 |
Jun | 63.3 | 55.5 | 45.3 |
Jul | 66.8 | 58.6 | 47.4 |
Aug | 66 | 58.1 | 47.5 |
Sep | 62.1 | 54.9 | 44.7 |
Oct | 56.3 | 50.1 | 39.8 |
Nov | 49.3 | 44.2 | 36.6 |
Dec | 44 | 39.2 | 32.7 |
Show Celsius
Month | Avg. High (°C) | Avg. Mean (°C) | Avg. Low (°C) |
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Jan | 6.6 | 4.2 | 0.6 |
Feb | 7.4 | 4.6 | 0.3 |
Mar | 9.3 | 5.8 | 1.1 |
Apr | 12.7 | 8.3 | 2.9 |
May | 14.6 | 10.3 | 4.9 |
Jun | 17.4 | 13.1 | 7.4 |
Jul | 19.3 | 14.8 | 8.6 |
Aug | 18.9 | 14.5 | 8.6 |
Sep | 16.7 | 12.7 | 7.1 |
Oct | 13.5 | 10.1 | 4.3 |
Nov | 9.6 | 6.8 | 2.6 |
Dec | 6.7 | 4 | 0.4 |
Precipitation (Rain or Snow)
If dry weather is what you’re after, the months with the lowest chance of significant precipitation in Scotland are April, September, and then March. Note that we define “significant precipitation” as .1 inches or more in this section. The lowest chance of rain or snow occurs around mid March. For example, on the week of March 19th there are no days of precipitation on average. By contrast, it’s most likely to rain or snow in early January with an average of 3 days of significant precipitation the week of January 1st.
When can you find snow in Scotland? Weather stations report very large amounts of snow likely to be deepest around February, especially close to early to mid February. The best time to ski (if at all) in Scotland is often around around January 29th when fresh powder is deepest. Please note that a value of 0 for snow in the graph below may either mean there was no snow, or that snow is unreported.
Chance of Precipitation
The graph below shows the % chance of rainy and snowy days in Scotland.
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Snow on the Ground
The graph below shows the average snow on the ground in Scotland (in).
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Average Rain and Snow by Month
Show Inches
Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (in) | Total Precipitation (in) |
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Jan | 34% | 3.4 | 3.2 |
Feb | 22% | 10.4 | 2 |
Mar | 21% | 7.8 | 2.1 |
Apr | 19% | 0 | 1.6 |
May | 25% | 0 | 2.4 |
Jun | 23% | 0 | 2.6 |
Jul | 29% | 0 | 3.8 |
Aug | 28% | 0 | 3.7 |
Sep | 20% | 0 | 2.1 |
Oct | 25% | 1.6 | 2.9 |
Nov | 29% | 4.6 | 3.1 |
Dec | 34% | 7.2 | 3.8 |
Show Centimeters
Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (cm) | Total Precipitation (cm) |
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Jan | 34 | 8.6 | 8.1 |
Feb | 22 | 26.4 | 5.1 |
Mar | 21 | 19.8 | 5.3 |
Apr | 19 | 0 | 4.1 |
May | 25 | 0 | 6.1 |
Jun | 23 | 0 | 6.6 |
Jul | 29 | 0 | 9.7 |
Aug | 28 | 0 | 9.4 |
Sep | 20 | 0 | 5.3 |
Oct | 25 | 4.1 | 7.4 |
Nov | 29 | 11.7 | 7.9 |
Dec | 34 | 18.3 | 9.7 |
Humidity and Wind
Scotland has some extremely humid months, and above average humidity throughout the year. The least humid month is May (69.8% relative humidity), and the most humid month is December (81%).
Wind in Scotland is usually moderate. The windiest month is January, followed by March and December. January’s average wind speed of around 9.6 knots (11 MPH or 17.7 KPH) is considered “a gentle breeze.” Maximum sustained winds (the highest speed for the day lasting more than a few moments) are at their highest in early March where average top sustained speeds reach 17.7 knots, which is considered a fresh breeze.
Relative Humidity (%)
The graph below shows the average % humidity by month in Scotland.
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Wind
The graph below shows wind speed (max and average) in knots.
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Average Wind Speeds
Show Wind Speeds
All wind speeds are in knots. 1 knot = 1.15 MPH or 1.85 KPH.
Month | Avg. Wind | Avg. Wind Feel | Sustained High Wind | High Wind Feel |
Jan | 9.6 | Gentle breeze | 15.7 | Significant breeze |
Feb | 8.4 | Gentle breeze | 13.7 | Significant breeze |
Mar | 9.6 | Gentle breeze | 15.4 | Significant breeze |
Apr | 8.3 | Gentle breeze | 13.9 | Significant breeze |
May | 8.2 | Gentle breeze | 13.6 | Significant breeze |
Jun | 6.6 | Light breeze | 11.4 | Significant breeze |
Jul | 6.5 | Light breeze | 11.3 | Significant breeze |
Aug | 6.9 | Light breeze | 12 | Significant breeze |
Sep | 7.7 | Gentle breeze | 12.8 | Significant breeze |
Oct | 7.8 | Gentle breeze | 12.8 | Significant breeze |
Nov | 8.2 | Gentle breeze | 13.8 | Significant breeze |
Dec | 8.8 | Gentle breeze | 15 | Significant breeze |
Show Relative Humidity by Month
Month | Avg. Relative Humidity |
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Jan | 78.9% |
Feb | 78.4% |
Mar | 72.8% |
Apr | 70.3% |
May | 69.8% |
Jun | 73% |
Jul | 74.6% |
Aug | 73.6% |
Sep | 74.7% |
Oct | 77.1% |
Nov | 79.8% |
Dec | 81% |
Is it Safe to Travel to Scotland?
Our best data indicates this area is somewhat safe. As of Dec 04, 2023 there are travel warnings for the United Kingdom; exercise a high degree of caution. Check this page for any recent changes or regions to avoid: Travel Advice and Advisories. This advisory was last updated on Nov 27, 2023.
The Busiest and Least Crowded Months
The busiest month for tourism in Scotland is August, followed by July and September. Prices for hotels and flights will be most expensive during these months, though you can save if you purchase well in advance. Tourists are unlikely to visit Scotland in December. Those willing to visit at these times will likely find it the least expensive month.
Estimated Tourism by Month
Most Popular Months to Visit
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Overall Scotland Travel Experience by Season
Fall (March through May)
Humidity and temperatures combine to make this season feel moderately cold. Highs range from 62°F (16.7°C) and 47.8°F (8.8°C) with warmer temperatures in the later months. Rain is somewhat common with 6 to 8 days of significant precipitation per month. Fall is the second busiest for tourism, which makes it a good time for those looking for things to do.
Winter (June through August)
The middle-year months have comfortably cool weather with high temperatures that are comfortable. These months see moderate precipitation with 7 to 9 days of precipitation per month. June – August is the busiest season for tourism in Scotland, so lodging and other accommodations may cost more than usual.
Spring (September through November)
Spring daily highs range from 64.3°F (17.9°C) and 45.3°F (7.4°C), which will feel chilly given the humidity and wind. It rains or snows a significant amount: 6 to 9 days per month. Tourism is fairly slow during these months due to the weather, so hotels may be lower priced.
Summer (December through February)
Weather is too cold this time of year in Scotland to be enjoyable for warm weather travelers. The average high during this season is between 47.8°F (8.8°C) and 43°F (6.1°C). On average, it rains or snows a fair amount: 6 to 10 times per month. These times of year are the slowest with tourists.
Best Times to Travel› the United Kingdom › Scotland