Scotland is a brilliant place to visit all year round.
I’ve travelled Scotland in every season and, honestly, there is no single best time to visit Scotland. That doesn’t mean, though, that some places don’t have their own time of year to shine.
Whether you’re dreaming of crisp winter light in the Highlands, a slow summer journey through the Hebridean islands, or a peaceful off-season escape, this Scotland month-by-month travel guide shows you where the country shines – and when.
So, when is the best time to visit Scotland, and where should you go?
Jump to Month: January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December.
Scotland in January – Winter adventures in the Cairngorms
Best for: Winter landscapes, snow sports, wildlife.
Don’t miss: A forest walk after fresh snowfall in the Rothiemurchus Estate.
Good to know: Daylight is short, plan activities for the middle of the day.
Plan your trip: Cairngorm’s National Park
January is my favourite time to visit the Cairngorms National Park.
In winter, snow covers the vast Cairngorm’s plateau, the lochs freeze at the edges, and the ancient Caledonian pine forests are full of beautiful light.
This is Scotland’s best spot for winter adventures – skiing at Cairngorm Mountain, snowshoeing around Glenmore Forest Park, or just walking through the pinewoods where the only sound is snow underfoot.
Wildlife is everywhere in the Cairngorms in Winter. You might spot mountain hares, white against the snow, and you can visit Scotland’s reindeer herd in their natural habitat.
→ STAY Book into a cosy B&B such as the fabulous Balsporran B&B or a forest lodge like Woodman’s Hut at the Lazy Duck and embrace còsagach in the Cairngorms.
Scotland in February – Coastal walks on the Moray Firth
Best for: Coastal walking, dolphins, distilleries.
Don’t miss: Dolphin spotting along the Moray Coast near Spey Bay.
Good to know: Cold but often dry; good walking conditions.
Plan your trip: Moray Firth
Scotland in February is ideal for exploring the northeast coastline, particularly along the Moray Firth.
Wide beaches, low winter sun, and dramatic cliffs sit above small villages looking out across the North Sea.
Coastal walking on the Moray Coastal Trail is excellent at this time of year, especially around Burghead, Findhorn Bay and Culbin Forest.
This stretch of coast is also one of the most reliable places for dolphin watching in Scotland, with bottlenose dolphins often spotted close to shore year-round, even in winter.
→ STAY Check in to a cosy cottage such as Lochanshelloch Cottage 30 mins from Findhorn or Culbin Edge a dog friendly cabin near Forres with a fabulous wood fired hot tub.
Scotland in March – The Isle of Skye without the crowds
Best for: Photography, hiking without crowds.
Don’t miss: Hiking the Quiraing circuit.
Good to know: Weather is changeable – flexibility is still key
Plan your trip: Isle of Skye
March is my favourite time to visit Skye, and I firmly believe the Isle of Skye in March shows the island at its best.
Snow still dusts the Cuillin peaks, and waterfalls surge with snowmelt, making places like the Fairy Pools especially dramatic.
For photographers and hikers, it’s arguably the best time to visit the Isle of Skye without peak-season crowds.
You might even have the Quiraing, the Old Man of Storr, and the wider Trotternish Peninsula to yourself.
The weather can be changeable, but that’s part of the magic.
→ STAY in Portree in a cosy hotel with access to the local pubs and restaurants, book into the trendy Marmalade or the Bosville Hotel or the fabulous Three Chimneys.
Scotland in April – West coast road tripping in Argyll & Bute
Best for: Road trips, archaeology, early island travel
Don’t miss: Exploring the Cowal Peninsula with a visit to Puck’s Glen
Good to know: Ferry services increase toward summer but still require planning
Plan your trip: Argyll and Bute
April is a great time to visit Argyll and Bute.
Drive around Loch Fyne, explore the Cowal Peninsula, and head to Oban for seafood. Why not island hop to Mull, Islay, Jura, or the Isle of Bute when the islands are quieter than in summer?
This is an ideal time to explore Kilmartin Glen, where you can walk between standing stones and burial cairns – often on your own.
Visit Inveraray, to visit the castle and climb up to Dun na Cuaiche for an incredible view of the town.
→ STAY at Inverlonan Bothies – off grid, luxury bothies near Oban, Tigh an Truish Inn, a lovely inn with rooms on the Isle of Seil overlooking the Bridge over the Atlantic, or The Loch Melfort Hotel a lovely dog friendly boutique hotel.
Scotland in May – Coastal walks in the East Neuk of Fife
Best for: Coastal walking, food, spring colour
Don’t miss: Walking the Fife Coastal Path between Crail and St Monans
Good to know: One of the driest months on the east coast
Plan your trip: The East Neuk of Fife
This is a perfect month for walking sections of the Fife Coastal Path between Crail, Anstruther, and St Monans, with wildflowers along the path and seabirds nesting offshore.
Food is a big part of visiting the East Neuk, and by May many seasonal favourites are fully open again.
Anstruther Fish Bar is an obvious stop, while the Lobster Hut in Crail is ideal for a simple lunch by the harbour. I also love the East Pier Smokehouse in Pittenweem.
→ STAY in Dreel Cottage, Anstruther, your own East Neuk cottage, go glamping at Catchpenny Safari Lodges, ot for families book into Elderburn Lodges, luxury self catering cottages with hot tubs near St Andrews.
Scotland in June – Hiking remote landscapes in Assynt
Best for: Hiking, remote beaches, long days
Don’t miss: Suilven on a clear day
Good to know: Midges are usually lighter than later in summer, but not guaranteed
Plan your trip: Assynt
Scotland in June is perfect for exploring our more remote landscapes, especially Assynt in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland.
Long daylight hours make longer hikes such as climbing Suilven achievable, while beaches including Achmelvich and Oldshoremore offer white sand and clear water for swimming, paddling and camping.
June weather is often more settled than later in summer, and midges usually haven’t peaked yet, a small but important detail when travelling in the Scottish Highlands in summer.
→ STAY Right in the action is the lovely Newton Lodge or check out the amazing Stone Houses. For self catering – Fisherman’s Cottage, Ullapool a cute 3 bed self-catering cottage or Harbour House.
Scotland in July – Summer beaches on the Isle of Harris
Best for: Beaches, island hopping, long daylight
Don’t miss: Luskentyre Beach in whatever the weather
Good to know: Book ferries and accommodation well in advance
Plan your trip: Outer Hebrides
July on the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides is summer at its best.
Scotland in July is peak island season and there are few islands better than Harris.
The island’s beaches are at their finest this month. Luskentyre, Seilebost, and Scarista all offer wide white sands and clear water, ideal for long beach walks.
July is also an excellent month for island hopping in the Outer Hebrides, with ferries linking Harris to North Uist and Berneray for easy day trips or hopping the whole island chain.
→ STAY – book into the Hotel Hebrides in Tarbert, or book one of the Coll Lodges, Grimisdale Guesthouse is a lovely B&B.
Scotland in August – Outdoor adventures at Loch Lomond
Best for: Outdoor activities, lochs, family trips
Don’t miss: Climbing Ben Lomand
Good to know: Busy month — start early or explore quieter areas of the park
Plan your trip: Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park
Scotland in August suits travellers who enjoy hiking and spending time outdoors.
Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park offers swimming, kayaking, cycling, and hill walking during the warmest month of the year.
Ben Lomond is one of Scotland’s most accessible Munros, while Loch Katrine offers classic steamboat trips through iconic scenery.
The park is busy in August, particularly around Loch Lomond, but quieter corners can be found by heading into the Trossachs or choosing lesser-visited lochs.
→ STAY The Loch Lomond Waterfront has eight five-star luxury lodges, the budget-friendly Inn on Loch Lomond* at Inverbeg is really well located. Over in the Trossachs Mhor 84 at Balquhidder is a popular spot for foodies.
Scotland in September – Castles and Highland Games in Deeside
Best for: Castles, Highland Games, estate walking
Don’t miss: Exploring Balmoral Estate and the Balmoral Cairns
Good to know: The Braemar Highland Games usually take place in early September, dates vary
Plan your trip: Royal Deeside.
September is an excellent month to visit Royal Deeside.
The famous Braemar Highland Games usually take place in early September (dates vary year to year), but even beyond the event, this is a great time to explore the area.
I love the forest walks along the River Dee and through the Mar Lodge Estate, Britain’s largest National Nature Reserve.
Balmoral Estate is quieter than in summer, making it a good time to explore the Balmoral Cairns and memorials, including the stone pyramid built for Prince Albert.
→ STAY The Queens Hut, Aboyne is a gorgeous self catering hut on the edge of its own loch, The Fife Arms, a glamorous art hotel with a spectacular interior and The Boat Inn, Aboyne, a pub and restaurant with rooms in Aboyne.
Scotland in October – Autumn colours in Perthshire
Best for: Autumn colour, woodland walks
Don’t miss: The Hermitage at Dunkeld
Good to know: Autumn in Perthshire can be exceptionally busy, plan to visit the hotspots on weekdays.
Plan your trip: Perthshire
October is when Perthshire autumn truly shines.
Otherwise known as Big Tree Country, Perthshire’s woods and forests blaze with colour, making this one of the best places to see autumn colours in Scotland.
Around Dunkeld, the Hermitage walk is at its best, with Douglas firs and beech trees glowing along the River Braan and above Black Linn Falls.
At Killiecrankie, gorge paths and riverside walks are particularly striking in autumn, with colour concentrated along the River Garry.
→ STAY The Meikleour Arms Hotel has a lovely French-Scottish farm to fork restaurant and gorgeous cottages, a super cool and stylish boutique hotel, The Taybank has a restaurant, live music bar and one of the best beer gardens in Scotland.
Scotland in November – History in the Scottish Borders
Best for: History, abbeys, slow touring
Don’t miss: Melrose Abbey without the crowds
Good to know: Many attractions remain open, but opening hours may shorten
Plan your trip: Scottish Borders
November is a great month to visit the Scottish Borders, particularly if you’re interested in history and walking.
Melrose Abbey, Dryburgh Abbey, and Jedburgh Abbey are all open and far quieter than in summer. If you are a literary fan then Abbotsford is a must.
The Borders also work well for scenic touring in November – visit Ettrick Valley and Yarrow Valley – or hike the Borders Abbey Way.
Base yourself in one of the Scottish Borders market towns like Kelso or Jedburgh, with excellent pubs for evening drams.
→ STAY At the luxury Schloss Roxburghe or the The Templehall Hotel. Book into a country inn like the the Auld Cross Keys Inn or the Horse and Hound Country Inn.
Scotland in December – A festive escape to Edinburgh
Best for: Christmas markets, Hogmanay, city breaks
Don’t miss: Evening walks through the Old Town lit up for winter
Good to know: Book accommodation early for December and New Year travel
Plan your trip: Edinburgh
December transforms Edinburgh into something truly special.
Christmas markets fill Princes Street Gardens and Hogmanay brings concerts, fireworks, and street celebrations to welcome the New Year.
But it’s the quieter moments I love most – winter walks on Edinburgh’s seven hills, evenings in historic pubs, comfort food, and wandering the city.
December in Edinburgh is the perfect way to close a year of travelling Scotland.
→ STAY at Prestonfield House a luxury hotel on the edge of the city, The Balmoral Hotel is right in the heart of the action, or stay at Westside Woodshed a quirky cabin on the outskirts of Edinburgh.
FAQ: The best time to visit Scotland
So, when is the best time to visit Scotland?
There isn’t a single best time to visit Scotland as it depends on what you want from your trip.
Summer offers long days and island travel, spring and autumn are quieter with excellent walking and scenery, and winter suits travellers looking for snow, wildlife, and festive cities.
→ plan your visit in spring
→ plan your visit in autumn
→ plan your visit in winter
What is the quietest month to visit Scotland?
January, February, and November are generally the quietest months to visit Scotland. These months have fewer visitors, lower accommodation demand particularly outside the main cities.
Is winter a good time to visit Scotland?
Yes, winter can be a great time to visit Scotland if you plan around shorter daylight hours and variable weather.
What is the warmest month in Scotland?
July is usually the warmest month in Scotland, followed closely by August. These months offer the highest temperatures, the longest daylight hours, and the best conditions for island travel, beaches, and outdoor activities.
When is the best time to visit the Scottish islands?
The best time to visit the Scottish islands is between May and September. May and June offer long days with fewer crowds, while July and August provide the most reliable ferry connections and weather, though they are also the busiest.
What is the best time to visit Scotland for hiking?
Late spring (May and June) and early autumn (September) are ideal for hiking in Scotland. These months offer longer daylight hours, comfortable temperatures, and generally fewer midges than high summer.
Just remember, there’s no wrong time to visit Scotland, just the right clothing!
Love from Scotland x
I’m Kate, the Scotland-based travel writer behind Love from Scotland. I share first-hand destination guides and accommodation recommendations across Scotland. Let me help you plan your best ever trip!