Which Season is Best to Visit Scotland?

Let's break the habit of travelling only in Summer..

Warmer days, longer daylight hours and less chance of rain. Summer seems to be the perfect time to visit Scotland.

Well, in our humble opinion Scotland in Summer can be… overrated.

Now it might be warmer indeed, and daylight hours are long (very long) and glorious for exploring.

But what we tend to experience in July and August are actually far wetter, rainier days than the earlier months of late Spring. So if you’re keen to stay dry during your trip, and think August would be your safest bet, you might want to reconsider.

Summer is also notorious for the demonic midges. These pesky pests are wee Scottish mosquitoes, that can quickly turn your experience of the great Scottish outdoors into a living nightmare. Are we dramatic? Maybe. But we’ve suffered through too many midge-riddled sunset photoshoots to stay silent! Here’s an article to learn more about midges, if you’ve never heard of them before.

So, what is the best season to visit Scotland?

We believe there is not one definitive answer to fit everyone. Rather, it depends on who you are and your reasons for visiting this unique country. So instead of breaking this post down by season, we’re going to approach this question based on different personalities.

Hopefully you’ll find yourself here somewhere, and discover the best season for your trip to Scotland..

For the ‘outdoorsy’ folks

Best season: Spring , Best month: April

You’re an avid hiker and are planning some long walks amongst Scotland’s great outdoors.

We recommend Spring for your adventurous trip, as you should see brighter, warmer weather with fewer midges. Daylight hours are increasing with each day, giving you plenty of time to explore.

There may also be fewer visitors to some of the hotspots, like the Quiraing on the Isle of Skye, which can make your experience more enjoyable too.

For those longing for solitude

Best season: Winter , Best month: February/March

You love Scotland’s moodiness. Fog, rain, a hot chocolate by the fire and feeling like you have the remote landscapes all to yourself.

If this sounds good, the colder months will be for you.

So long as you don’t mind wearing more layers, the further you venture into Winter, the greater you’ll be rewarded. The shorter, darker months are a completely underrated season to visit Scotland. And the landscapes are dramatic, moody and empty.

We visited the Outer Hebridean Isles of Harris and Lewis in early March 2022 and yes, most places were closed. But the remoteness, the feeling of still nostalgia is definitely worth missing out on the shopping (plus Edinburgh still offers plenty of this all year round).

Be different and embrace Scotland’s Winter!

Another bonus for Winter travels: accommodation, and sometimes flights, are less expensive.

For those who love to see a country in bloom 🌸

Best season: Summer , Best month: August

You love to see things come to life! Perhaps you love all things colourful, and can’t wait to see the purple heather blooming over Scotland’s rolling hills.

If you also tend to get your energy from being around other people, and love an artistic performance, then Summer is definitely for you!

In Summer, the Scottish landscapes are like a painting full of vidid colour. You might even enjoy a trip to the Hebrides to walk on white sand beaches or take a plunge in the turquoise waters.

Back in Edinburgh, it’s the best time to enjoy the lively array of international Festivals. With Fringe Festival shows running all over the capital, the Edinburgh Military Tattoo putting on explosive nightly performances, and local pubs overflowing with revelry, every night is a party!

A word of caution: prices for everything are at their highest during this month.

For the Photographers

Best season: Fall/Winter , Best month: October/November

You dream of getting those bucket list iconic shots in Skye and Glencoe.

You will find breathtaking beauty to be captured all year around, and of course, it depends what your subject goal is. (Puffins, for example, are best seen in May/June!). But we adore photographing Scotland’s landscapes during the changing seasons of Fall.

The majestic peaks always look even more impressive with a dusting of snow, and you won’t have to fight over the best spots to get the shots! Not to mention the incredible shades of red and orange from the turning bracken and foliage that’s always an incredible show.

Tourism isn’t quite finished for the year yet, so you’ll still find places to eat and plenty of attractions still open. Accommodation will be less expensive the later in the year you go, plus you won’t have to wait until 10/11pm to get the golden hour, or wake up at 4am to get those sunrise shots.

For the Outlander fans

Best season: Spring , Best month: April/May

You already own plenty of tartan accessories, and you dream of meeting Jamie on the steps of Midhope or Doune Castle..

We would recommend Spring as the best time for your romantic Scottish adventure, as most castles and sites seen in the series start to open for visitors, but aren’t yet flooded with people.

You will also be able to enjoy spots like Glencoe or Loch Katrine, as seen in the series, without having to ward off the terrible midges!

For the Golfers

Best season: Spring/Summer , Best month: May

We confess, we really aren’t very knowledgeable on golfing! Although Julien is working on it..

But, if your main reason for visiting Scotland is to hit the golf courses, the best seasons seem to be Spring and Summer. There are savings to be had if you go for the ‘shoulder’ months of April and October, with May being the best to avoid the arrival of the Open.

Here’s an article written by golfers for golfers that will help you far more than we can!

For the country pursuits

Best season: Fall , Best month: September/October

Scotland is notorious for country pursuits. From rivers flowing with fresh salmon, foraging, and moorlands scattered with deer and game birds. There’s a pursuit to suit everyone!

It depends exactly what you’re hoping to hunt, but most country pursuits kickstart in Autumn, with September marking the beginning of partridge, wild duck, and goose season. From October, hunters are allowed to shoot pheasants and most deer. The hunting season finishes around January or February, except for Roe Deer, which runs to the end of March.

September and October are also great months to enjoy the beauty of the changing landscapes, plus there’ll be fewer visitors to disturb your outings.

For those who like a city break

Best season: Fall/Winter , Best month: November/December

You want to walk down cobbled streets and embrace history through museums, ancient buildings, and tours from knowledgable guides. You might also be a foodie, and someone that enjoys experiences without having to drive.

Edinburgh is the perfect city for you.

We’d recommend Fall into Winter for your city break, because yes, the weather might be a bit chillier, but there are plenty of great coffee shops around the capital to recharge and warm up.

Plus, with Edinburgh being on the east coast, it isn’t as rainy as say Glasgow, and you might find that most days will be sunny but crisp.

Less visitors and less expensive accommodation options might also convince you to enjoy the Scottish capital in the colder months, as most places and experiences are still open to the public.

And not forgetting, Edinburgh’s renowned Christmas Market opens from mid-November.. it’s a crêpe and mulled wine paradise! ❄️

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Some closing thoughts to consider..

This will come to no surprise to those of you who’ve been following us for a while, but.. there’s more to Scotland than the Highlands!

Yes those dramatic landscapes are absolutely a must-see experience, and you will be moved by the history of some of these iconic locations. But if your next Scotland trip isn’t your first, or if you like to do things a little differently than most, there are great regions to consider.

Our first suggestion is the Cairngorms. It’s a stunning region, full of magical forests (plus, it’s close to Speyside if you’re into your whisky!)

And our second recommendation is of course, the Scottish Borders.

With rolling hills, ancient castles, serene landscapes and far fewer midges!

It’s also the part of Scotland we call home, and where we offer our meaningful Photoshoot Experiences to couples visiting this wonderful country.

Thank you for reading!

Which personality do you relate to most?

And most importantly, which season will you be planning your next trip to Scotland?!

With love from Scotland,
Rose & Julien