Scotland in Winter: How cold does it get in Scotland?
Scotland is one of my favorite countries on the planet.
Most people think you can’t visit Scotland in winterâbut those people are wrong. Scotland in winter can be brilliant, but you just have to take precautions, do some planning, and know what you can and canât do.
So to help you prepare, Iâve put together this article.
In it, Iâve answered some of the most common winter-related Scottish travel questions. Read on for lots of practical help, you lucky boys and girls!
How Cold Does It Get in Scotland?
That completely depends upon where you go. But hereâs some good news: it probably wonât be as cold as you think.
Broadly speaking, Scottish winters arenât as cold as lots of other European winters (though some areas can admittedly be really cold during particularly frosty winters).
In winter months, in some of the most commonly-visited places, Scottish temperatures drop to an average of around:
- Glasgow: 3.8°C / 38.8°F
- Edinburgh: 4°C / 39.2°F
- Inverness: 4°C / 39.2°F
- Fort William: 1.5°C / 34.7°F
- Portree: 4.8°C / 40.7°F
Broadly speaking, the lows and highs donât deviate much from the above, so you can usually expect those types of temperatures. That said, during particularly cold years, temperatures can sometimes be freakishly different, but that usually only affects hilly, mountainous regions.
Scotlandâs coldest destination is (often!) Braemar, in Cairngorms National Park, which is known for freezing temperatures and chilly winters. During the middle of winter, temperatures here drop to around 1.5°C / 34.7°F, but itâs sometimes way colder. The UKâs lowest-ever temperature was recorded at Braemar, sitting at â27.2 °C (â17.0 °F).
So if you want to avoid the coldest parts of Scotland in winter, avoid the most mountainous areas.
No matter where you are in Scotland, the temperatures usually feel lower than they really are. Thatâs because the nation is wet, windy and humid.
When is Winter in Scotland?
Winter in Scotland runs from December until February. Fall ends in the middle of December, while spring begins in the middle of March.
That said, the periods leading up to winter, and following winter, can be (and feel!) almost as cold.
What is the Coldest Month in Scotland?
Scotlandâs coldest month is usually January.
In Edinburgh, average January temperatures are around 4°C / 39.2°F. Edinburgh January highs typically sit at 7°C / 45°F, with lows around 1°C / 34°F.
The other coldest-month contenders are December and February. Temperatures in those months are usually very slightly higher than January. February is usually the warmest winter month, with Edinburgh averages sitting at around 4.5°C / 40.1°F.
Again, the more north you go and the more mountainous it gets, the colder itâll be. So these temperatures are a good estimate, but you definitely shouldn’t expect to find them everywhere.
Does Scotland Get a Lot of Snow?
No, not really. Thereâs a relatively good chance of snow in Scotland, but itâs nowhere near as snowy as some other European nations.
On average, Scotland gets snow around 15-20 days a year.
But how much snow youâll see (if any!) depends on where you go, and how lucky you are. If you go to southern Scotland, youâll probably not see any snow. But the more north and west you go, the snowier it can get.
Broadly speaking, Scotlandâs most mountainous regions are the nationâs snowiest regions. For the entirety of winter, lots of Scotlandâs highest peaks are usually covered in snow. So places in and around Ben Nevis, the Cairngorms and Caithness often have lots of snow-capped peaks.
If you want to get good snowy photographs, head to the hilliest regions (pro-tip: the low winter light in Scotland is brilliant for grabbing good snaps).
How Easy is It to Get Around Scotland in Winter?
That depends on where you go.
When snowfall is heavy, for example, the nationâs highest roads are sometimes massively difficult to negotiateâor literally inaccessible. The most famous lofty roads are known as âthe snow roadsâ (I promise I havenât made that up).
The snow roads are home to one of the best road trips in Scotland. On this brilliant trip, you drive 90 miles (145km) from Blairgowrie to Grantown-on-Spey, crossing the highest public road in Britain, through the eastern section of the Cairngorms. But you shouldnât tackle this trip if thereâs lots of snow on the ground.
If itâs been snowing heavily, itâs best to avoid the highest roads in Scotland (whatever part of the nation theyâre in). Unless you have a good car built for the snow, youâll probably get stuck. Plan your routes carefully, take your time, and be cautiousâyou donât want to spend half of your vacation stuck in a car.
If youâre relying on public transport, you probably wonât have to change your plans. In some countries, public transport is more limited in colder months, but thatâs not the case in Scotlandâso any public transport journey you can take, you can take it year-round. If the weather is really disruptive, some public transport might be canceled, but thatâs the case no matter where you go in the world.
All of that said, itâs worth remembering that public transport in some of Scotlandâs more remote areas is very sporadic (or often nonexistent).
For getting around Scotland in the winter, I recommend hitchhiking. That way, you can get around quickly and easily without having to worry about navigating, planning, hiring a car, or driving on the difficult roads. Let the experienced locals do it instead, while you make some friends in the passenger seat.
Is Scotland Cold in Summer?
Good question. It can beâso the rumors youâve heard are definitely true.
Scottish summers arenât particularly warm. In summer, average Scottish temperatures in some of the countryâs most commonly-visited places sit at around:
- Glasgow: 14.2°C / 57.5°F
- Edinburgh: 14.2°C / 57.5°F
- Inverness: 14.2°C / 57.5°F
- Fort William: 12.7°C / 54.9°F
- Portree: 13.2°C / 55.7°F
July is usually the warmest month in Scotland. Average Edinburgh temperatures in July, for example, are typically around 14.2°C / 57.5°F. In July, Edinburgh highs are around 17.2°C / 63°F, while lows are around 11.1°C / 51.9°F
But, again, because Scotland is a rainy, windy and humid place, the temperatures usually feel lower than they are. So no matter what time of year you visit, pack a raincoat and warm clothes, cos youâll probably need them.
Is Scotland One of the Coldest Countries in the World?
No, it really isnât. Scotland has a reputation for being colder than it actually is, mainly because (as weâve just mentioned) it doesn’t get particularly warm summers. And because itâs often rainy and windy.
Yeah, the highs arenât high, and all temperatures feel lower than they are, but the world definitely has colder countries than Scotland.
So just pack sensibly, and youâll be alright.
Is Scotland Worth Visiting in Winter?
Yes, 100%. Itâs better in the warmer months (spring and fall are best), but visiting Scotland in winter is better than never visiting at all.
If you can only visit Scotland in winter, you should absolutely visit Scotland in winter.
But be prepared: some attractions, accommodations and eateries close in the colder months, especially in the more remote parts of the nation. On some of the islands, for example, a huge part of the economy relies upon tourism. And when the busy months end, the tourist-heavy eateries and attractions close, because theyâve got no-one to give them money.
So before you set off, if there are any particular places you want to visit (or eat at!), make sure you do your research.
Read also: Best Places to Visit in Scotland in Winter – Best Things to do in Scotland in Winter
On the plus side, Scotland has way fewer tourists in winterâso if youâre the type of person who likes peace, quiet and fewer crowds, youâll love Scottish winters.
Places like Skye, the cities, and the North Coast 500 are much more peaceful and serene in winter, and you don’t have to share the stuff youâre visiting with eight million tour groups.
Is Scotland More Expensive in Winter?
No, Scotland is actually cheaper in the winter.
In winter, you can get great deals on accommodations, because they lower their prices to lure the tourists. Winter months arenât a popular time to visit, so you can grab some good deals. Sometimes, you can even negotiate lower prices than the ones you see advertised.
Also, as weâve covered, youâll probably spend less time visiting attractions in winter, because some of them are closed. So if you spend less time in attractions, and more time exploring the outdoors, youâll also save more money.
Read also: Scottish Currency: A Beginners Guide
What Can I Do and Visit in Scotland in Winter?
If you’re visiting Scotland in winter, there are loads of great things to do.
As weâve covered, most of the stuff you can do in summer, you can also do in winter.
But if youâre looking for winter-specific activities and events in Scotland, you have loads of options:
- Skiing in brilliant resorts, from around December to March (but sometimes a little later)
- Christmas and Hogmanay (thatâs New Yearâs!) events. Hogmanay in particular is ridiculously fun
- Fantastic Christmas markets in cities, towns and villages
- Rabbie Burns Night, a traditional January celebration of Scotlandâs most famous poet
- Visit the northern lights, in the northern parts of the nation.
For much more information on all of the above and loads more, check out our article on the best things to do in Scotland during winter.
Pro Tips for Visiting Scotland in Winter
- Letâs kick this list off with some good news: in winter, you donât need to worry about midges, as they only breed in and around summer. So throw off that headnet, sling your repellent in the trash, and frolic without fear.
- If youâre visiting Scotland in winter, you should plan a longer vacation. Daylight hours are pretty short, so itâs hard to squeeze lots of action and adventure into your day. During some winter months, you only get around 5 or 6 hours of daylight per day.
- This might be pretty obvious, but take some good warm clothes. And pack more than you think you need. I recommend a hat, gloves, thermal layers, a good fleece, and as many waterproof things as you have.
- ⌠and that includes some good waterproof shoes!
- I love hiking in Scotland during any time of year. And hiking in Scotland can be brilliant even in winter. Plan carefully, and donât go to places where youâll be unable to see or navigate, and youâll still be able to enjoy loads of brilliant hikes.
- Prepare for changeable weather, and donât be surprised if the weather doesnât do what the forecast said it was going to do. If youâre lucky, it might even be better than you think. Probably not though.
- If youâre going to drive in the more remote parts of Scotland, donât do it in the dark. Some of the roads are really narrow and windy, and theyâre hard enough to negotiate during daylight, especially if youâre not familiar with them.
Final Words and Further Reading
Hopefully thatâs covered all the questions you had about visiting Scotland in winter. Thanks for reading!
If you want to know anything else about Scotland, check out our guides such as the best coastal walks in Scotland, things you shouldnât do in Scotland, and things you shouldnât say to Scott.
And we also have plenty more. Whatever you want to know about Scotland, weâve covered it!