What is the best month to be in Scotland?

May, June and September give you sunshine without the crowds Many Scots rate May as the best month: long days, rising temperatures, dry weather...and no midges. Wildflowers are in bloom on the Hebridean machair, hawthorn hedges flower and cherry blossoms grace city parks.



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The summer months (June through August) are the warmest of the year, with extensive daylight hours in July and August the further north you go. The crowds begin to disperse from late October. Early to mid-November can be a wonderful time to see Scotland's glorious fall foliage.

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From May until September, travelers have a high chance of running into midges, especially in the Highlands. These flying, biting insects prefer wet, humid, and cloudy conditions and come out in full force in July and August. To avoid the midges, book your trip to Scotland between late September and early May.

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We recommend you allow 9 - 10 days in Scotland for a satisfying tour of the country's diverse scenery and history. A 10 day itinerary, such as the Best of Scotland tour plan, would let you spend: 2 days in Edinburgh walking the historical streets and enjoying the cosmopolitan buzz.

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During the period in consideration, the month with the most hours of sunshine in Scotland was June 2023, with a total of 231.4 hours. However, April and May typically have the most hours of sunshine in Scotland.

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The hottest month is usually July, with an average temperature of a balmy 17°C! The coldest month in Scotland is February, with an average temperature of -0.1°C – however, January may feel even colder as it's the month with the highest number of 'air frost' days.

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January is the wettest month of the year, with an average of 177.5mm of rain, while May is the driest month, receiving just 84.5mm of rain on average - which is probably the reason for the Scottish proverb “cast not a clout till May be oot”, or, don't take off your winter clothing until May!

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The frequency of seeing the Northern Lights in Scotland varies. In the northern regions and remote areas with dark skies, such as the Isle of Skye or Shetland Islands, sightings can occur several times a month during the peak aurora seasons (September to March).

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The average cost of living in Scotland per month is around ?1,500, which is 1.26 times less expensive than the average in the UK. Scotland was rated as the finest place to live in and the eighth most expensive state in the UK.

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To recap, the seven best places to live in Scotland are:
  • Edinburgh: Best for culture.
  • Glasgow: Best work opportunities.
  • Isle of Bute: Best island to live on.
  • North Berwick: Best for retirement.
  • Dundee: Best for families.
  • Inverness: Best for accessing nature.
  • Stirling: Best for affordability.


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10 Traditional Scottish Foods to Try
  • Scotch Pies.
  • Scottish Porridge.
  • Cullen Skink.
  • Deep-Fried Mars Bars.
  • Haggis.
  • Neeps and Tatties.
  • Traditional Scottish Tablet.
  • Cranachan.


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