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Best time to visit

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June through August is considered to be the best time to visit Scotland regarding pleasant weather and numerous festivities such as Highland Games, Edinburgh Military Tattoo, and Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The only things that could spoil your summer in Scotland are midges and tourist crowds. Autumn foliage and blooming heather are incredible, but be prepared to pack a ton of layers to keep yourself warm. Dolphin and whale watching is adorable during this period. Cold and gloomy winter comes quickly, and it's a perfect period for skiing or snowboarding. Events like Hogmanay and Burns Night will cheer you up. And don't forget about haggis! From April through May nature awakens which makes hillwalking and admiring bluebell fields an unforgettable experience. Scots celebrate the end of winter with Beltane, a pagan fire festival.

85 things to do in Scotland

Summer

June, July, August Weather

Cool and wet summers are typical for Scotland

Winter

December, January, February Weather

Cold, wet and gloomy season is not good for outdoor activities

Winter Mountaineering and Ice Climbing

January–March Activity

Scotland provides excellent conditions for winter mountaineering and ice climbing for both beginners and experienced climbers

Salmon and Sea Trout

January–November Food

Fishing for Scottish salmon and trout is not as easy as it might seem, you can learn the art during informative fishing lessons

Boxing Day

December 26 Event

The occasion has nothing to do with fists and punching, but rather boxes full of gifts

Diving

June–August Activity

The west coast boasts the most spectacular diving sites but the east coast won't disappoint either

Osprey Watching

April–August Nature

Once ospreys seemed to have left Scotland forever, but a pair of the fish-eating birds returned to the Highlands and restored its population

Northern Lights

October–March Nature

The elusive Aurora reveals itself only to the most patient

Hogmanay (New Year's Eve)

December 29, 2024–January 1, 2025 Event

Hogmanay is a unique way to celebrate the New Year with torchlights, bonfires, fireworks, and loads of music

Cruising on a Vintage Steam Boat

late April–mid-September Activity

Even if you do not fancy visiting museums, you will definitely enjoy a sail on the Vic 32 proclaimed a "smokey living museum"

Edinburgh International Festival

August 2–25, 2024 Event

A showcase of the world's best music, dance, theatre, and opera in Edinburgh every August

Cruise to Staffa

April–October Activity

The trip to Staffa amazes with wildlife encounters, puffin colonies, and the geometric shapes of Fingal's Cave

Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival

April 30-May 5, 2025 Event

It is a great Scotch fun to intoxicate oneself to traditional Celtic singing, dancing, and storytelling

Ben Nevis

April–July Activity

True hikers will not respect themselves having visited Scotland without ascending its highest summit

Edinburgh Festival Fringe

August 2-26, 2024 Event

A unique blend of thousands of known and less-known artists performing a wide variety of shows in smaller venues around the city

Beltane Fire Festival

April 30 Event

Celebrate the arrival of summer in Scotland with music, bonfires, and uninhibited behaviour

Swans

October–March Nature

During winter Scotland hosts these elegant guests from Iceland and Siberia

Autumnal Castles

September–October Activity

Scottish castles nested atop extinct volcanoes or on the loch islands and cliff edges are beautifully​ surrounded by fall colours

Celtic Connections

January 16–February 2, 2025 Event

Musicians from Celtic countries and further lands annually reunite in Glasgow in the celebration of folk music

Cranberries

October–December Food

These berries delight visitors of Scotland in late autumn and early winter

Ceres Highland Games

June 29, 2024 Event

Ceres Highland Games are the oldest and most cheerful events celebrated in Scotland

Seal Pups

November Nature

The world's largest grey seal population and their cute pups inhabit the shores of the Scottish Orkney Islands

Scotland's Most Remote Pub

April–October Activity

The waterway to the Old Forge Pub overlooks Europe's Last Wilderness, and the very pub pleases with strong ale, langoustines, and live music

Barnacle Geese

September–mid-April Nature

These tri-coloured birds are numerous in Scotland—they bark as if they were dogs and are believed to have originated from mollusks in Scottish folklore

Haddock

September Food

Cold-smoked, hot-smoked, dried, canned, frozen, served with chips, drowned in milk, or in a Scottish soup—so many ways to eat Haddock

Berry Season

July–October Food

Scotland abounds in strawberries, blackberries, currants, and other juicy sweets

Burntisland Highland Games

July 15, 2024 Event

Burntisland Highland Games are the second oldest games in Scotland and are a perfect opportunity to have some quality time.

Birdwatching

May–June | September Activity

Thousands of skuas, auks, dotterels, ptarmigans, and eagles highlight Scottish birdwatching season

Heather

July–September/October (best in August) Nature

Purple heather blooms on ornate open Scottish fields, heathlands, wetlands, and forests

Stirling Highland Games

August 17, 2024 Event

Multiple fun events combined with stalls full of local products are the main attractions at Stirling Highland Games

The Burry Man

August 9, 2024 Event

Follow the Burry Man throughout the streets of Queensferry as he drinks whisky and spreads good luck

Autumn Foliage in Scotland

late September–October Nature

Though Scots Pine is definitely the king of the Highlands, in autumn it lets other trees outshine it with beautiful colors

Surfing

mid-October–mid-November Activity

It is not true that the treacherous Scottish waves leave no opportunities for inexperienced surfers—there are options for everyone

Burns Night Celebrations

January 25 Event

Scotsmen respect their national poet and commemorate his legacy by cooking his favorite meal on his birthday

Common Ridings on the Scottish Borders

May–August Event

Though today there is no need to protect the Scottish borders, the Scots still celebrate their centuries-old traditions and history

Burning of the Clavie

January 11 Event

This Pagan feast may be erased from Gregorian calendar, but not from people'​s minds

Edinburgh Military Tattoo

August 2–24, 2024 Event

A memorable representation of dance, military pageantry and music as part of the Edinburgh Festival

Stand Up Paddleboarding

March–November Activity

"Row, row, row the board, gently down the stream"–yes, the board, no misspelling here. This sport​ combines surfing with kayaking

Cowal Highland Gathering

August 29-31, 2024 Event

At Highland dances, Scottish boys and girls perform in national costumes dancing to the traditional sounds of the hornpipe

Coasteering

May–October Activity

The brave and curious will enjoy exploring the nearly inaccessible craggy coastlines of western and eastern Scotland

Seafood

September–October Food

Lobster, mussels, clams, and other Scottish seafood is made into delicious seasonal salads, stews, and specialties

Hunting Season

August 12–March Activity

The season starts with grouse, snipe, and ptarmigan then proceeds with other wildfowl and finishes with deer

Golf

April–October Activity

Golf courses of Scotland will impress you with breathtaking scenery—especially the course on the River Clyde encased by the Ayrshire hills

Dog Sledding

November–March Activity

The beautiful Scottish winter is experienced to its fullest sledding across the Cairgorm mountains with lovely huskies

Fairy Pools of the Isle of Skye

October–November Activity

Emerald-coloured pools possess magic powers that make you dive into the water, no matter how chilly it is

North Berwick International Highland Games

August 3, 2024 Event

Dancers, world-pipe bands and other stunning events make North Berwick Highland Games the perfect place for a day full of fun

Oysters

September–mid-April Food

Once the very Roman emperor deemed Scottish oysters as the best shellfish in the world

Horse Flat Racing Season

April–September Activity

Musselburgh Racecourse provides year round great racing action with 27 racedays

Lamb Meat

July–January Food

Scottish lamb is the sweetest and the leanest in the world owing to the excellent Highland pastures

The Ba' Game

December 25 | January 1 Event

When charged up Uppies and Doonies fight for the leather trophy ball, the townspeople protect their dwellings with wooden barricades

Up Helly Aa

January 28, 2025 Event

To mark the end of the Yule season, thousands of Vikings traditionally burn the galley with thousands of torches

Starling Murmuration

November–February Nature

A stunning sunset show performed by migrating starlings

Blooming Bluebells

April–May Nature

Words seem needless at the site of this blue beauty

Haggis

July–January | January 25 Food

Sheep's insides are sewn into its stomach, boiled, and served with "tatties and neeps" and a glass of Scotch Whisley for Burns Supper

Braemar Gathering

September 7, 2024 Event

The Gathering is famous for its hospitality, friendship, multitude of events and the presence of the Royal Family, and it's only a 2-hour drive from Edinburgh

Red Deer​ Rutting

September–October Nature

The loud clash of red deer signals that rutting season is on–time to watch the stags' fight​

Apple Season​

September–October Food

Traditional​ apple scones, pies and scrumbles are the highlights of this delicious season

Canoeing, Kayaking and Sea Kayaking

April–October Activity

Scottish white water rivers and lochs offer some of the best canoeing and kayaking trails in the world

Snowdrops

February–mid-March Nature

Delicate snowdrops rising up from the snow are able to console and inspire even the saddest souls

Skiing and Snowboarding

late December–April Activity

A great choice for winter holidays—Scottish ski resorts are a more affordable alternative to the Alps

Hillwalking or Munro Bagging

April–October Activity

To become a "completer" you have to bag not less than 284 Munros

Lunan Bay Bathing Season

June–mid-September Nature

Every princess would have enjoyed a swim on an appealing pink beach overlooked by a castle

The Jacobite Steam Train

March 28-October 25, 2024 Activity

Did you know that the route of the Hogwarts Express passes through the Scottish Highlands?

Dolphin and Whale Watching in Scotland

April–November Nature

Minkes, humpbacks, fins, orcas, and playful bottlenose dolphins will amuse you during the seasonal cruises

Garden of Cosmic Speculation

May 3–4, 2025 Activity

A unique space inspired by science and mathematics

Kitesurfing & Windsurfing

October–March (all year round) Activity

One of the best destination in Europe for surfing of all kinds

Fairy Glen

June–August Nature

Surrounded by legends about faeries, this land is indeed magical

Edinburgh Christmas Market

November 15, 2024–January 4, 2025 Event

A winter wonderland in the heart of a fairytale city

Christmas Lights

mid-November–early January Event

Edinburgh celebrates the most wonderful time of the year

Cowgate St. Patrick’s Day

March 17, 2024 Event

Celebrate Celtic heritage and culture

Halloween

late October Event

Celebrate the transition from summer to winter in a traditional Celtic way

Christmas Markets in Scotland

mid-November–early January Event

Scotland loves Christmas! It hosts some of the best Christmas Markets in the UK

New Year's Eve in Scotland

late December–early January Event

New Year's Eve in Scotland is celebrated loudly and passionately, making it a perfect destination for this holiday season

St. Patrick's Day

March 14–17, 2024 Event

An excellent excuse to go pub crawling in one of the largest Scottish cities

Strathaven Balloon Festival

August 23-25, 2024 Event

Enjoy a free weekend of fun at Scotland's only festival of ballooning

Chinese New Year in Edinburgh

January–February 2025 Event

The largest Lunar New Year celebration in Scotland

Comic Con Scotland

October 5-6, 2024 Event

One of the largest cosplay events in the UK

Stargazing

all year round (best from August to March) Nature

Scotland has plenty of stargazing gems

Glasgow Christmas Markets

November 10–January 7 Event

Experience the best-in-class Christmas shopping in the city of Glasgow

Guisachan Gathering (Golden Retriever Festival)

July 2028 Event

The cutest dog show in the ancestral home of golden retrievers

Kelpies

all year round Activity

The biggest equine sculpture in the world

Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival

July 12-21, 2024 Event

10 days of excellent music with over 170 performances

Callander Jazz and Blues Festival

October 3-6, 2024 Event

The largest rural jazz and blues festival in Perthshire

Glasgow Film Festival

February 26–March 9, 2025 Event

One of the top film festivals in the UK

The Castle of Light

November 22, 2024–January 4, 2025 (selected dates) Event

Scotland's largest projection show creates unforgettable memories throughout the holiday season

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