Frosty mornings, roaring fires, and cosy pubs, winter is one of the most atmospheric times of year to explore Scotland.
From Viking fire festivals and whisky tastings to wild saunas and snow-dusted walks, here are ten ways to make the most of Scotland’s coolest season.
This is why you visit Scotland in winter.
You’ll also need → my ultimate packing guide for Scotland
My Top 10 Ways to Experience Scotland in winter
1. Celebrate the New Year on Hogmanay
Scotland’s New Year celebrations are legendary.
Join the fireball festival in Stonehaven, where locals swing blazing balls of fire through the streets to welcome in the year. Or head to Edinburgh for the famous Hogmanay street party and concert beneath the castle.
If you’d rather something slightly less raucous, check into a Highland hotel for ceilidhs and champagne by the fire.
Discover → the best boutique and luxury hotels in Scotland
2. Witness Up Helly Aa, Shetland
Each January, the streets of Lerwick blaze with torchlight as the Viking fire festival of Up Helly Aa marks the end of Yule. Expect processions, costumes, music and the dramatic burning of a longship.
Plan → the best events & festivals in Scotland
3. Join a Burns Night Supper
Raise a glass to Scotland’s national bard.
On or around January 25, Burns Night suppers take place across the country – from local village halls to fine dining restaurants. Expect poetry, traditional fare, and, of course, whisky.
Explore more → how to host a Burn’s Night Supper
4. Try winter wellness: wild saunas
Winter in Scotland isn’t all about the cold. There’s a growing “wild wellness” scene bringing a little Nordic calm to the coast. Here are my favouties
- Wild Scottish Sauna, Kingsbarns Beach, Fife – This mobile wood-fired sauna is perched on the beach in Fife and offers a 90-minute sauna + sea experience.
- Soul Water Sauna, Portobello, Edinburgh – a traditional wood-fired sauna on Portobello Beach. Ideal for a sauna + sea plunge combo.
- Watershed Sauna, Findhorn – wood-fired sauna along the Moray Firth shore, with sea views
- Wild Dook Sauna, Dumfries & Galloway – a mobile sauna that moves to rugged locations across Dumfries & Galloway, designed for wild swimmers and wellness seekers.
- Hot Tottie Sauna, Luss – Sauna sessions by Loch Lomond
Wrap up warm, dip in the sea and then warm up again by the stove.
Read more → my complete guide to winter wellness – wild saunas and wild swimming
5. Warm Up the Scottish Way – in a distillery
When the temperature drops, there’s no better way to warm up than with a dram of Scotland’s national drink. Two of my favourites distilleries in Scotland are:
- Glenfiddich, Speyside’s Whisky Heartland – Speyside is home to more distilleries than anywhere else in the world, and Glenfiddich is one of its best known. Their winter tours tell the story of the Grant family who’ve run it since 1887 plus plenty of drams.
- Talisker, The Taste of Skye – over on the Isle of Skye, Talisker’s distillery sits right by the sea at Carbost, with views across Loch Harport. The whisky here captures the island perfectly: smoky, salty, and full of character. After your tour, grab lunch or a coffee in the small visitors’ café overlooking the water.
6. Chase the Northern Lights
Yes, really, the Aurora Borealis can be seen from Scotland. Known locally as the Mirrie Dancers, they sometimes shimmer across northern skies between November and February.
Even if the lights don’t appear, you’ll find some of the clearest stargazing in Europe.
- Best spots: Caithness, Shetland, the Outer Hebrides, and Galloway Forest Park
- When to go: November to February
Tip → keep an eye on Aurora Watch UK
7. Head to the Cairngorms for a winter wonderland
With forests dotted with dark green lochans, vast tundra that can reach -27°C in winter, and wildlife including ospreys, reindeer, pine martens, and red squirrels, the Cairngorms National Park is one of Scotland’s last great wildernesses.
In winter, Scotland’s biggest national park turns into a winter playground. Here’s what to get up to.
- Walk in Rothiemurchus Forest – beautiful year-round, but winter brings a special hush to the pinewoods. Try the easy trails around Loch an Eilein and keep your eyes peeled for red squirrels and roe deer darting through the trees.
- Visit the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre near Aviemore and walk out onto the hillside to meet Britain’s only free-roaming reindeer herd. It’s a short, guided walk (usually around an hour) and perfect for families.
- The Cairngorms are home to three ski resorts — Cairngorm Mountain, Glenshee, and The Lecht. Each has slopes for beginners through to experts,
- Try a Winter Skills Course – if you fancy heading into the high tops, book a winter skills day with a local guide. You’ll learn how to use crampons and an ice axe, read snow conditions, and move safely in the mountains.
Aviemore makes a great base with easy access to trails, gear hire and cosy lodges.
Guide → How to visit the Cairngorms
8. Get Còsagach – Scotland’s art of cosy
The Gaelic word còsagach (pronounced kaw-sa-goch) means snug, sheltered, and warm – and it perfectly captures how to enjoy a Scottish winter. Think log fires, thick blankets, and nowhere you have to be except exactly where you are.
- Eat: Winter menus across Scotland come into their own. You’ll find slow-cooked stews, cullen skink, venison with root vegetables, and plenty of sticky toffee pudding.
- Stay: Choose a lodge with a log burner, a cabin with a hot tub, or a small hotel where you can curl up with a book as snow falls outside.
- Do: Read by the fire with a whisky in hand, wrap up and take a short riverside walk at dusk, soak in a hot tub under clear, starry skies.
9. Get Outside for a winter walk
Walking is one of the best ways to experience Scotland’s winter magic.
Winter walking doesn’t have to mean mountaineering. Scotland’s low-level paths and forest routes offer plenty of safe options for all abilities. You can set out for an hour or two, return to a warm café or pub, and still feel like you’ve stepped into another world.
My favourite winter walks in Scotland
- Loch an Eilein, Rothiemurchus (Cairngorms) – A classic circular walk through ancient pinewoods, with views of the ruined castle sitting on a frozen loch. Flat, easy and magical after fresh snow.
- The Hermitage, Dunkeld (Perthshire) – Follow the River Braan through towering Douglas firs to the roaring Black Linn Falls. The forest feels like something from a fairytale when the frost settles on the branches.
- Glencoe Lochan Trail (Glencoe) – Short and peaceful, this lochan walk gives mirror-still reflections of the surrounding peaks – especially beautiful at sunrise or sunset in winter.
- St Abb’s Head (Berwickshire Coast) – If you fancy a coastal route, the clifftop path at St Abb’s Head is stunning in any season. Winter brings crisp air, big skies and a good chance of spotting seals in the bays below.
- Loch Morlich Beach Walk (Aviemore) – Yes, there’s a beach in the Highlands. A loop around Loch Morlich combines mountain views, snowy pines and a café for hot chocolate at the finish.
Read more → more of my favourite walks in Scotland
10. Go Skiing or Snowboarding
Scotland has five ski resorts – and when the snow comes, they’re fantastic.
You don’t need to head to the Alps for a proper winter adventure; a good Scottish snow day can be every bit as exciting (and unpredictable).
Each mountain has its own character, from family-friendly slopes to steep backcountry lines.
- Glenshee: Known as the ‘Three Glens’, Glenshee is the largest ski area in the UK, covering 22 lifts and 36 runs that stretch across four mountains. The terrain suits everyone from first-timers to seasoned snowboarders, with gentle learner slopes near the café and red runs that roll down to the Cairnwell Chairlift.
- Nevis Range: Located near Fort William, the Nevis Range offers dramatic scenery and some of the most exciting runs in the country. The gondola, the only one in Scotland, whisks you up the mountain for skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing with a view of Ben Nevis itself.
- Glencoe Mountain: Set in one of Scotland’s most iconic glens, Glencoe combines history, scenery, and solid snow when the weather plays ball. It’s the oldest ski centre in the country, dating back to the 1950s, and still one of the most characterful.
- The Lecht: The Lecht, tucked in the eastern Cairngorms near Tomintoul, is small but perfectly formed. Its compact layout and well-groomed slopes make it ideal for families and first-timers. The centre’s chairlifts and snowmaking equipment mean it often has snow even when others don’t.
- Cairngorm Mountain: High above Aviemore, Cairngorm Mountain is Scotland’s best-known resort, with high-altitude runs, a reliable snow record and easy access from town. There are long cruising blues, scenic reds, and off-piste opportunities for more experienced skiers.
When is winter in Scotland?
Scotland’s winter runs from December to March.
Expect short days (around six hours of daylight in midwinter), cold crisp weather and the occasional dusting of snow, especially in the Highlands and Cairngorms.
It’s the quietest time of year to travel, so you’ll often have the views all to yourself.
Where to stay in Scotland in winter
Looking for somewhere to stay while you explore? Here are the best areas to visit in Scotland in winter:
- Aviemore – for skiing, reindeer spotting, and snowy forest walks
- Glencoe & Fort William – ideal for mountain adventures
- Dunkeld or Pitlochry – cosy small towns with great pubs and winter walks
- Edinburgh & Stirling – perfect for festive city breaks
The weather in Scotland in winter – is it really that bad?
In one word – no. Winter are like any season in Scotland – you never know what the weather is going to be like.
Scotland’s winter weather is famously changeable. Rain, snow, wind, and blue skies can arrive in one day. Be ready for everything.
Temperatures typically range from just below zero to around +10 °C, but cold snaps can drop it far lower.
Snow is most likely January–March, especially in the Highlands.
You should always follow the Scottish philosophy – just wait 5 minutes and the weather will probably change again!
How cold does it get in Scotland in winter?
Temperatures in Scotland in winter generally range from just below zero to +10 degrees; however, we do get ‘proper’ winters where the temperatures got as low as -16 in Edinburgh and the snow stayed in the cities for a few weeks during the ‘beast from the east’.
Does it snow in Scotland in winter?
Yes – you are likely to see snow in Scotland in January, February and March each year.
Driving in Scotland in winter
Winter driving in Scotland requires caution:
Main roads are regularly gritted, but minor roads may remain icy or snow-covered Take low gear only, avoid sudden braking, and drive slowly. One thing to remember is stopping distances – in winter, this is a lot shorter than you expect, so slow down carefully.
You can use snow chains legally, but remove them when no snow remains. Most cars here don’t use snow chains as due to Scotland’s maritime climate and salty air, the snow rarely stays for long. Sunglasses help (low winter sun can dazzle)
Always check road closures, weather alerts (via Transport Scotland, Met Office)
If you’re hiring a car, avoid rear-wheel drive vehicles and opt for safer all-wheel or 4WD options. If you do get stuck, starting in a higher gear might help you get up that hill and carry a shovel – just in case you need to dig out your car.
If you do start to slide, don’t use your brakes, use a low gear and steer into the skid.
For more advice on Scotland in Winter visit:
- For winter driving advice visit Police Scotland.
- The Met Office put out yellow, amber and red snow and ice weather warnings, you can download an app to your phone which will alert you.
- Follow the brilliantly named trunk road gritters on the Transport Scotland website.
- The Transport Scotland website also notifies you of road closures due to essential winter roadworks or weather.
What to wear in Scotland in winter
If you are just visiting Edinburgh or Glasgow, then dress how you normally would on a cold and wet day – wear a good waterproof and woolly hat, hood, gloves and scarf!
In winter in Scotland, an umbrella is generally useless – the wind in Edinburgh can destroy one in seconds.
If you are planning to head out into the countryside or up to the Highlands, then you will need outdoor clothing – think quick-drying fabrics and lots of warm layers.
- Start with a good base layer – I like merino wool and then a thin fleece (or tech material) jacket.
- On top, I always wear a thin wind and waterproof jacket. Good waterproof jackets fro Scotland are made with either Goretex or Nikwax coating.
- I always carry lightweight waterproof trousers which pack up really small to fit in my bag.
- I can’t live without touchscreen gloves – you don’t have to keep taking them off to use mapping apps on a GPS or your phone!
- If you are planning on doing any walking or hiking then you will need waterproof hiking boots.
My complete Scotland packing list covers everything you’ll need for a memorable trip, from waterproof clothing and outdoor essentials to tech accessories and family-friendly gear.
So, no matter when or where you visit, you’ll be ready for anything the Scottish skies throw your way.
How much daylight in Scotland in winter is there?
Not much! Although we do not have an eternal night here in Scotland, it can feel like it – it is no wonder so many Scots are prescribed vitamin D.
Expect it to get light around 8.30 am and be dark by 4 pm.
With only around 6 hours of daylight a day in winter in Scotland you need to squeeze a lot in or be prepared to spend plenty of time in front of a roaring fire, or in one of Scotland’s many distilleries – thankfully Scotland in winter can easily be warmed up by a wee whisky!
Attractions & opening times
Many castles, historic houses, and attractions close in winter (often from October until Easter).
However, their grounds or gardens may still be accessible. Always check the site’s calendar before visiting.
Planning a trip to Scotland in winter?
Winter in Scotland is not for the faint-hearted, but for those who embrace it, Scotland offers frosty mornings, quiet landscapes, festive events, and that special hush after a snowfall… these are experiences you won’t forget.
If you’re planning a winter trip, I’d love to help. Drop me a message with your travel dates or route ideas, and I’ll suggest custom itineraries. Or leave a comment below, i’m always happy to share more hidden gems.
Safe travels and happy planning!
Kate, Love from Scotland x
- Plan your trip to Scotland in Spring.
- Plan your trip to Scotland in Autumn.