Scotland in November: 10 brilliant things to do in Scotland this month

Thinking about visiting Scotland in November? Despite the dark early nights, it’s a great month to come, and there’s plenty on.

From Bonfire Night, to rugby Tests at Murrayfield, Diwali in Edinburgh, to Christmas markets and lights from the middle of the month, all finishing up with St Andrew’s Day on the 30th.

It’s also one of the cheapest month of the year to visit Scotland and it is one of the best months for the northern lights – you don’t have to stay up late to see anything.

Here’s everything you need to plan a trip to Scotland in November, with what’s on, where to go, and what you need to book now.

10 brilliant things to do in Scotland in November

1. Bring winter in with a bang at Bonfire Night

The 5th of November falls on a Thursday in 2026, so most community displays will run on the nearest weekend.

Two of the best are the Border Union Bonfire Night at Springwood Park in Kelso with a huge community bonfire and fireworks in the showground, and the Ullapool Community Bonfire sees fireworks going up over Loch Broom from the West Terrace. Both are free.

If you’re in Glasgow or Edinburgh, note that both cities now operate firework control zones banning private fireworks in parts of the city, so an organised display is the best way to experience Bonfire Night.

2. Buy your Christmas gifts from independent Scottish makers

Whether you’re buying for a design lover, foodie, or someone who simply adores Scotland, November is a great month to shop local and support Scotland’s independent makers.

The second half of November sees Christmas craft fairs, food markets and makers’ showcases run across the country – before the December rush. There are lots to choose from.

• The Exclusively Highlands Christmas Festival just outside Inverness runs over two weekends from the 20th to the 29th, with art, crafts and food from Highland makers.
• Oban’s Winter Festival runs craft markets right through from the 13th November
• In Aberdeenshire, the Crathes Christmas Fair runs from the 13th to the 15th November in the grounds of Crathes Castle, with Scottish makers, gifts and seasonal food
• The Support the Makers markets at Haddington Corn Exchange on the 14th and Portobello Town Hall on the 21st November.
• The Handmade Show brings Scottish craftspeople to Perth Concert Hall on Sunday the 17th — it’s been running fourteen years
• The Hopetoun House Christmas Shopping Fair near South Queensferry runs from the 27th to the 29th in one of Scotland’s grandest houses.
• Glen Tanar Christmas Fair on Royal Deeside follows on Sunday the 29th November, with local makers and artisan gifts on the estate.
• Campbeltown’s Christmas Market closes the month on the 29th November at the foot of Kintyre.
• In Edinburgh, the Scottish Market on George Street is the part of Edinburgh’s Christmas worth seeking out, with Scottish makers rather than the generic stalls.

It’s the best month of the year to buy Scottish – and far better value than panic-ordering online on the 20th of December.

Read more: my Scottish Christmas 2026 gift guide

3. Go aurora hunting

November is one of the best months of the year for the northern lights in Scotland, and the reason is simple – you don’t have to stay up until two in the morning to see them – it’s dark enough by six pm.

Here is how to give yourself the best chance of seeing them.

• Set up the alerts first. Download an aurora app and turn on notifications. My favourite is AuroraWatch UK. You are looking for red alerts, the stronger the better. Anything over 300nT disturbance level and little cloud you should be able to see them. The best displays come when the disturbance level is over 800nT.
• Pick your spot. You need a clear view north, no streetlights, and somewhere you can park safely in the dark. A north-facing beach or a loch shore is ideal, because the reflection doubles it.
• Be ready. Get outside the moment the alert comes.
• Where to try: the north coast around Durness and Thurso, Ullapool, Skye, the Moray coast, Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park and the Cairngorms. The further north the better, but there have been good displays as far south as the Borders.
• Lower your expectations slightly. Most Scottish aurora is a green or pale purple glow on the northern horizon rather than the bright colours and curtains you see in photos. These are long exposures, however your phone on night mode will also take great photos.

4. Catch the Christmas lights coming on

Mid-November is when Scotland lights up, and it’s one of my favourite things about November.

In Aberdeen, Winter, Wonder, Wander lights up Duthie Park from the 3rd to the 10th. The Christmas Village opens on Broad Street from the 12th Novmeber.

In Edinburgh, The Zoo’s Giant Lanterns start on the 13th with an all-new space safari theme running for 60 nights. Edinburgh’s Christmas opens on the 14th across Princes Street Gardens and George Street. Christmas at the Botanics follows on the 19th, celebrating its 10th anniversary.

Glasgow’s winter wonderland opens at St Enoch Square on the 7th, and the city centre lighting trail switches on around the 20th, with the City Chambers lit every evening after that. Glasgow Green follows the same week.

Dundee switches on its lights on the 15th, with the Santa Dash that morning, and Christmas in City Square runs from the 27th.

Perth’s switch-on is late in the month. The Enchanted Forest in Pitlochry, Scotland’s original sound-and-light show runs into the first week of November, so there’s still time.

Away from the cities, Brodie Castle in Moray is illuminated on selected November evenings by the National Trust for Scotland. Up at Carrbridge, Ancient Forest Twi-LIGHTS runs a kilometre of lit ancient pinewood from late November. In Ullapool, The Creel Tree (a tree built from stacked lobster creels) switch on the 27th November.

Read more: Christmas light trails in Scotland

5. Discover the Edinburgh Diwali

Edinburgh Diwali fills the city centre with a parade, dancing, Indian food and a fireworks finale. It’s free to watch and it’s a proper community event rather than a tourist attraction. Wrap up, get there early for the parade, and eat your way along the stalls afterwards.

Find out more – Edinburgh Diwali

6. Go cheer on Scotland at the Nations Championship Rugby at Murrayfield

Scotland play three autumn Tests at Murrayfield in November 2026, in the first-ever Nations Championship – New Zealand on the 7th, Australia on the 15th and Japan on the 21st November.

Even if you don’t have tickets, Edinburgh on a rugby weekend is worth experiencing – the city fills up and the pubs are heaving. Book accommodation well ahead for those weekends; prices climb sharply.

Read more: my guide to Edinburgh’s best pubs

7. Join in at the panto

If you’ve never been to a Scottish pantomime, then it is time to fix that. The panto season opens in the second half of November and it’s a serious business – the dames are local institutions, the jokes are about the next town along, and the audience is encouraged to shout back for two and a half hours.

The King’s Theatre reopens after its refurbishment with a brand-new panto from the 28th, The Adventures of Pinocchio stars Allan Stewart, Grant Stott and Jordan Young. It runs to the 17th of January, the longest in Scotland.

In Glasgow, Aladdin opens at the King’s on the 21st with Elaine C Smith and Johnny Mac, tickets from £15. Aberdeen’s Goldilocks and the Three Bears starts at His Majesty’s on the 28th with Gary: Tank Commander.

For something different, the Tron in Glasgow opens its alternative panto The Snaw Queen on the 18th, and the Lemon Tree in Aberdeen has The Snow Queen from the 28th, a gentler show for younger children. Ayr’s Gaiety opens Aladdie! on the 27th, an Ayrshire retelling.

8. The World Shortbread Championships

New for 2026, and gloriously Scottish, the first World Shortbread Championships takes place in Inverness on the 21st of November, celebrating the country’s most famous biscuit.

It joins the Golden Spurtle at Carrbridge in October and the Stone Skimming at Easedale on the list of Scottish world championships that sound like a joke, but are taken extremely seriously by everyone involved.

9. Bag a brilliant hotel deal

November is one of the lowest points of the tourist year, to make up for it, there are lots of three-for-two nights, dinner included, free upgrades, and spa packages available.

See my current hotel offers in Scotland, updated through the season.

10. Get into a castle free on St Andrew’s Day

Scotland’s national day falls on Monday the 30th of November – and you can get in to lots of tourist attractions for free with Historic Environment Scotland including Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle, Urquhart and Linlithgow Palace.

They’re released in advance and limited, so watch for the announcement in late October or early November rather than turning up on the day.

Beyond that there are ceilidhs, concerts, food events and torchlit processions across the country, many of them part of Scotland’s Winter Festivals programme, which runs from St Andrew’s Day right through to Burns Night.

More things to do in Scotland in November 2026

You can find more November events worth planning around, with all dates and ticket links on my events and festivals calendar, which I update weekly. Here are some favourites:

• Aberdeen Queer Arts Festival (5-8 Nov) – four days of performance, workshops, drag, music and spoken word across the Lemon Tree and Aberdeen Art Gallery, closing with a community open stage.
• Scotland Loves Anime (Glasgow 6-8 Nov, Edinburgh 16-22 Nov) – Scotland’s premier anime festival, a weekend at the GFT and then a full week at the Filmhouse.
• Dundee Jazz Festival (11-15 Nov) – five days across the city, now past its fortieth year, mixing touring names with Scottish rising stars and a strong free community strand.
• Oban Winter Festival (13 Nov-20 Dec) – festive light shows and the Argyll Haggis Competition.
• Scotland Card Show, Edinburgh (14 Nov) – Scotland’s biggest trading card and collectables show, with Pokémon, sports cards and tournaments.
• Scots Fiddle Festival, Edinburgh (20-22 Nov) – Scotland’s biggest fiddle event, with concerts, workshops, late-night sessions and ceilidhs.
• WinterStorm Rock Weekender, Troon (26-28 Nov) – Scotland’s classic rock weekender, with three nights of headliners, an acoustic stage and a rock market.
• Big Art Show, Paisley (to 14 Nov) – over 400 works from more than 100 artists, free to visit.
• sound Festival, Aberdeen (to 2 Nov) – Scotland’s festival of new music, with dozens of world premieres.

The practical stuff: visiting Scotland in November

What’s the weather like in November in Scotland?

Cold and changeable. Expect 5-9°C by day, the first proper frosts, and the chance of snow on the mountains – and occasionally at lower levels by the end of the month. November is also one of the wetter months, especially on the west coast, so a proper waterproof is not optional.

Read more: my Scotland packing list

How much daylight do you get?

Not much. The clocks went back at the end of October, so it’s dark by around 4.30pm at the start of November and closer to 3.45pm by the end – earlier still in the north. You get roughly nine hours at the start of the month and eight by the end.

The trick is to get out early, do your walking and driving in daylight, and save the pubs, museums and light trails for the dark.

Is everything open in November?

Many smaller attractions, castles and visitor centres close for the winter at the end of October, National Trust for Scotland and Historic Environment Scotland properties move to winter hours or shut entirely, and CalMac ferries run winter timetables. Some island accommodation and restaurants close for the season too. The cities are unaffected, and anything festive is very much open.

Is November busy in Scotland?

No – it’s the quietest month of the year, which is one of the best reasons to come. The exceptions are the autumn colour hotspots at the start of the month, rugby weekends in Edinburgh and the weekends after the Christmas lights come on from mid-November.

Where to go in Scotland in November

Edinburgh – the biggest month in the city’s calendar outside August. The Christmas lights, three rugby Tests, Diwali, the Scots Fiddle Festival and Book Week events. → my Edinburgh pub guide

The far north and the north-west – Ullapool, Durness, Thurso and the Moray coast for aurora season and genuinely quiet roads. The NC500 in November is a different experience from July. → the North Coast 500

The Borders and Dumfries & Galloway – the last of the autumn colour, Bonfire Night at Kelso, the whisky festival in Dumfries and the dark skies of Galloway Forest. → the South West Coastal 300

Argyll – Oban’s Winter Festival runs all month, the Tarbert and Campbeltown switch-ons are proper community occasions, and Campbeltown’s Christmas market closes the month.

Perthshire – the Enchanted Forest until the 8th, the last of the larches turning gold, and cosy stays → things to do in Perthshire

Book now: what sells out for Christmas and Hogmanay

November is the month to lock in the big festive stuff before it goes:

• Hogmanay accommodation – Edinburgh for 30 December to 1 January should be booked now at the latest.
• Christmas lunches and dinners – the best restaurants with rooms take December bookings from early autumn. → the best restaurants with rooms
• Santa experiences and steam trains – the Bo’ness Santa Steam Train and the popular grottos sell out in October and November.
• Winter hotel deals – the 3-for-2s and dinner-included packages are all live by now. → hotel offers in Scotland

All dates and links on my events calendar.

Visiting Scotland in November FAQs

Have you visited Scotland in November? What did I miss?

Love from, Scotland x

Planning further ahead? Scotland in October · Scotland in December · Scotland in Autumn · Events and festivals calendar