Full disclosure: I have not been *everywhere* in Scotland. There are still a few cities that I haven't seen, roads that I haven't driven, and isles that I haven't explored.

But I HAVE traveled to Scotland in every season – multiple times in most of them, in fact! So I think I can still give you some info and an opinion on what the best time to visit Scotland truly is. (I've actually lost count of how many times I've visited Scotland, but it's more than 10 at this point!)

If you're thinking of planning a trip to Scotland and want to know how it differs from season to season, then keep reading!

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Scotland season by season

Here's a breakdown of what each season is generally like in Scotland, in terms of average weather, plus unique things to do/see at that time of year.

Scotland in spring

March-May

Spring in Scotland runs from March-May, and is the season when nature starts waking up again after winter. Trees start budding and blooming, lambs are being born, and the days start getting longer as summer approaches.

May is personally one of my favorite months to visit Scotland, when the days are long and mild(er) and the high season is just beginning – but it's before the biggest tourist crowds arrive.

Spring weather in Scotland

Spring can still be crisp and chilly across Scotland but gets milder as the season goes on, with temperatures averaging around 45°F in March to up to 55°F in May (7°-13°C).

An interesting thing about Scotland is that the old “April showers bring May flowers” adage actually isn't accurate here! April and May are typically some of the driest and sunniest months of the year in Scotland. (Though this is Scotland; you always want to prep for rain, just in case!)

Things to see in spring

If you're visiting in spring, you can look out for blooming trees and gardens in April and May, and newborn lambs dotting fields throughout the country.

May is also the start of high season in Scotland, meaning it's the month when seasonal attractions re-open for the year (this includes some castles/stately homes, museums, unique accommodations, etc.).

Top spring events in Scotland

Here are some events that happen annually in spring that are unique and worth knowing about:

1. Beltane Fire Festival | Edinburgh | May 1 – Inspired by the ancient Gaelic festival of Beltane (which translates to “bright fire”), this festival on Calton Hill in Edinburgh takes place the evening of April 30 to mark the beginning of summer. More info here.
2. Shetland Folk Festival | Shetland Islands | May – This is the UK's most northerly folk festival and features both traditional and international musical acts. It usually takes place in early May. More info here.
3. Whisky Month | Countrywide | May – The month of May is Whisky Month in Scotland, with World Whisky Day falling on the third Saturday in May each year. Check out the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival in Speyside, and the Fèis Ìle on the isle of Islay.
4. Melrose Rugby Sevens | Melrose | May – Scotland is a big rugby country, and the largest event on the Rugby Sevens calendar takes place in Melrose in the Scottish Borders each year in May. Rugby was “born” here, and this event has a whole festival atmosphere. More info here.
5. Scottish Wild Food Festival | Tir na nOg | May – A unique festival that celebrates wild food and foraging in Scotland. More info here.

Best places in Scotland to visit in spring

Cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow are great in the spring, and I like visiting literally any of the isles later in the spring (the Isle of Skye is excellent in May, for example). Speyside is also fantastic in the spring, as all the famous distilleries along the Malt Whisky Trail are producing whisky and prepping for Whisky Month.

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Scotland in summer

June-August

Summer in Scotland runs from June-August, and is by far the busiest and most exciting season throughout Scotland. It's when you can catch Highland Games, go to all sorts of festivals, and experience the longest days of the year.

Summer is high season in Scotland, though, which means popular spots can and do get very busy. If you're traveling during this season, you definitely need to book things like hotels well in advance.

Summer weather in Scotland

Summer days in Scotland are long (with 16-18 hours of daylight, and the further north you go, the longer the days will seem), and the weather is mildest this time of year with average highs around 65°F (18°C). Note though that Scottish weather is never predictable – it might be warm enough to wear shorts in the summer (and it always feels warmer when the sun is out), or you might need a rain coat and beanie!

Things to see in summer

This is the best season to be outdoors in Scotland. Go on hikes, grab a mountain bike, or otherwise just get outside. Scottish people love climbing mountains and being out in nature, especially in the summer.

Summer is also when some unique vegetation comes out in Scotland – namely Scottish thistle (the purple-pink variety that is Scotland's national symbol), which tends to flower from mid-June-July; and the famous Scottish heather, which blankets the Highlands in small purple-pink blooms usually in August.

The summer months are also the best time to spot puffins! Puffins nest from April-August along Scotland's coast and isles. Some of the best places to see them include St. Kilda, the Shiant Isles, Dunnet Head, the Isle of Lunga, the Isle of May, and the Isle of Staffa. During the nesting season, you can take boat tours to most of these places!

Top summer events in Scotland

Unique summer events in Scotland include:

1. Highland Games | various locations | May-September – Highland games are a long tradition in Scotland, and take place all across the country during the summer months. These events (usually one-day or over a weekend) feature traditional Highland sports like the caber toss and hammer throw, along with Highland dancing and music. Full schedule here.
2. Royal Highland Show | Edinburgh | June – Think: Scottish county fair! It's Scotland's largest farming and countryside showcase. More info here.
3. Aberdeen Tall Ships Races | Aberdeen | July – Visit and see incredible Tall Ships during this free event. There are also vendors, entertainment, and more. More info here.
4. Edinburgh International Festival | Edinburgh | August – The huge city-wide arts festival that takes over Edinburgh each August, throughout the city's museums, galleries, and streets. More info here.
5. Edinburgh Festival Fringe | Edinburgh | August – The most famous of the summer festivals, this one focuses on theater and stage shows and runs alongside the other festivals this month. Buy tickets to shows, or just enjoy all the previews and performances on the street. More info here.
6. Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo | Edinburgh | August – Another huge August festival, this one is a spectacular show featuring military bands, pipe bands, dancing and more in front of Edinburgh Castle. I've been to this and it's incredible! More info here.
7. World Pipe Band Championships | Glasgow | August – See the best pipe and drum bands in the world compete during this popular Glasgow tournament. I've been to this, too, and it's so fun! More info here.

Best places in Scotland to visit in summer

If you want to experience the energy (and, okay, sometimes chaos) of Festival season in Edinburgh, then definitely put that on your list! It's a very fun time to be in the Scottish capital.

I actually recommend avoiding uber-popular spots like the Isle of Skye in the summer because of how busy they get (and how hard it can be to find a hotel room!). This is the time of year to get off the beaten path a bit more; check out the Moray Coast, go hiking in Glencoe, soak up history in St. Andrew's, or visit some of the lesser-well-known isles.

June-August are also the months when distilleries in Scotland have their “silent season.” During this season, distilleries aren't actively producing whisky, and some fully close! So if you're wanting to do a whisky tour of Scotland, summer is actually not the ideal time.

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Scotland in autumn / fall

September-November

Autumn in Scotland runs from September-November, when the summer crowds dissipate but things still remain pretty mild weather-wise, especially earlier in the season.

September is another of my favorite months to visit Scotland, as you still have longer days and decent weather, but the worst of the summer crowds have gone! After September, however, some attractions do start to close up for the season.

Autumn weather in Scotland

Things start to cool down a bit in the fall, with temperatures generally ranging from about 45°-60°F (7°-15°C). September weather can still be nice, but October is the rainiest month of the year in Scotland.

Things to see in fall

Scotland isn't necessarily known as a fall color destination, but it's actually a beautiful spot, especially in October. Head to Perthshire for some of the best fall foliage (places like Pitlochry, Killiecrankie, and the Queen’s View at Loch Tummel are must-sees), along with Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park and Cairngorms National Park.

The days also get shorter fairly quickly starting in October – but up north in Scotland you start to have a chance of seeing the Northern Lights this time of year!

Top autumn events in Scotland

Some of the best events to enjoy in the fall include:

1. Royal National Mòd | location varies | October – Scotland's biggest Gaelic cultural festival happens in a different city each year in October. The festival features Gaelic storytelling, music, Highland dancing, shinty, and more. More info here.
2. Scottish Storytelling Festival | Edinburgh | October – Celebrate the art of storytelling during this 18-day festival in the Scottish capital. More info here.
3. Bonfire Night | Many cities | November 5 – Bonfire Night – AKA Guy Fawkes Night – is a UK holiday where people come together to enjoy bonfires and fireworks as a community. It's only loosely associated with Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot these days. Most cities have celebrations.
4. St. Andrew's Day | Many cities | November 30 – Scotland's patron saint is celebrated on this national day with family-friendly events all over the country.

Best places in Scotland to visit in autumn

Early autumn is great for visiting just about anywhere in Scotland. Later in the season, I would recommend city breaks the most – places like Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, etc. – along with visits to places like Highland Perthshire to see fall color, or Speyside to enjoy the Malt Whisky Trail.

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Scotland in winter

December-February

Winter in Scotland runs from December-February, and is the coldest, darkest time of year in the country. But it's also the time when you can enjoy fun holiday festivities and even catch snow up in the Highlands.

I've actually traveled to Scotland multiple times during the winter, and have enjoyed those trips just as much as trips other times of year!

Winter weather in Scotland

Winter weather in Scotland can vary depending on where in the country you are, but generally you can expect chilly and damp weather, with high temps averaging around 39°F (4°C). It does snow up north in the Highlands and sometimes in the Lowlands, too – though snow in the Lowlands is not super common and doesn't stick around long when it does fall.

In the winter, you generally always want to carry an umbrella or raincoat, as it can often be misty even on days without any rain in the forecast.

Things to see in winter

How about some snow? Snow-dusted peaks up in the Highlands are a fixture of Scotland in the winter – and yes, there is some skiing and snowboarding, too!

Top winter events in Scotland

Here are the top things happening in winter to know about:

1. Christmas | Edinburgh | December – You can find festive things to do throughout Scotland in the weeks leading up to Christmas, but Edinburgh is really where it's at at this time of year, with a Christmas market, beautiful light displays, and festive offerings at restaurants around the city.
2. Hogmanay | multiple cities | December 31 – Hogmanay is the Scots word for the last day of the year, and Scotland does it big all across the country. The biggest Hogmanay celebrations happen in Edinburgh, with multiple days of festivities, plus a street party, dancing, and concerts on New Year's Eve itself.
3. Burns Night | many cities | January 25 – Celebrate Scotland's national poet, Robert Burns. Burns Night celebrations usually consist of a supper featuring haggis, whisky, and poetry – especially Burns' own “Address to a Haggis.” More info here.
4. Up Helly Aa | Shetland | January – Join in on the most epic Viking fire festival in the Shetland Islands to mark the end of Yule. The largest Up Helly Aa takes place in Lerwick on the last Tuesday in January. Lots of fire is involved. More info here.

Best places in Scotland to visit in winter

The Highlands are magical in the winter, even on moody days. I also think this is a great time to plan a cozy city break with good comfort food or maybe even an afternoon tea.

Edinburgh is also obviously a must-visit around the holidays for all the Christmas events, plus Hogmanay to ring in the new year.

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Best time of year to visit Scotland

So what is the BEST time of year to visit Scotland, then? Well, it really depends. Most people will say May-September (so, late spring through the beginning of autumn), since this is when you'll find long days with the best weather, and all the attractions, museums, castles, etc. will be open for the tourist season.

Personally, May to mid-June and September are my favorite times to visit Scotland.

The thing about Scotland, though, is that there's really no *bad* time to visit. The weather can be wild and unpredictable any time of year, but the history and stunning landscapes never change all that much.

What to wear in Scotland

When it comes to packing for Scotland, it really doesn't matter when you're visiting. It can be warm in the spring and autumn and it can snow in the summer. You basically want to be prepared for any and all weather at all times!

My go-tos for what to wear in Scotland include:

• A good raincoat with a hood (umbrellas are often ineffective in Scotland, especially when it's windy)
• Rain pants if you plan to do any hiking at all
• Waterproof shoes/boots (even if you aren't hiking)
• A hat and gloves – yes, even in summer!
• A warm jacket you can layer under your rain coat (think: packable down)
• Sunglasses and sunscreen (because when you need them, you really need them)

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Have you been to Scotland? If so, what's your favorite time to visit?