United Kingdom, Europe
The best time to visit Scottish Highlands
Rain is guaranteed in any month. What you are really choosing between is midges, crowds, and daylight.
- Best months
- May to Jun and Sep
- Think twice
- No month is a write-off
- Quietest
- January
- Cheapest
- January
The straight answer
The best time to visit the Scottish Highlands is May through early June or September: long days, the driest spells of the year, and far fewer midges and summer crowds than July and August.
Go in May through early June, or in September. May is often one of the driest months in the Highlands, the days are already very long, and the biting midges that plague the west coast in summer have not yet hit full strength. September brings purple heather fading to bracken gold, the Braemar Gathering, stags roaring in the glens toward the end of the month, and quieter roads after the school holidays.
July and August are warmest but also busiest and the peak of midge season. The Isle of Skye, Glencoe, and the North Coast 500 route fill up, single-track roads jam behind campervans, and accommodation on Skye can be fully booked months ahead. You can have a great trip then, but book early and pack repellent.
Winter is short, dark, and wet, with around seven hours of daylight in December and many seasonal hotels, B&Bs, and attractions closed from November to March. In exchange you get empty roads, snow on the mountains, cozy pubs, skiing in the Cairngorms and at Nevis Range in decent years, and a real chance of the northern lights on clear nights in the far north.
Scottish Highlands, month by month
Every month gets a verdict. Tap one for its own page: weather, crowds, prices and what is on.
- 01JanuaryQuiet valueCold and wet, Inverness highs near 44F (7C), snow on the mountainsShort days and many seasonal places closed. Skiing and aurora chances in the far north on clear nights.CrowdsPrice
- 02FebruaryQuiet valueCold, highs near 45F (7C), wind and rainWinter sports in the Cairngorms in good years. Quiet roads, but limited services.CrowdsPrice
- 03MarchQuiet valueCool, highs near 49F (9C), changeableDays lengthen quickly. Some seasonal businesses reopen around Easter.CrowdsPrice
- 04AprilGoodCool, highs near 53F (12C), showers and some sunny spellsLambs in the fields and snow on the peaks. The Spirit of Speyside whisky festival starts late in the month.Hotels for April →CrowdsPrice
- 05MayBestMild, highs near 59F (15C), often among the driest monthsLong days, few midges, and fresh green glens. A strong candidate for the best month.Hotels for May →CrowdsPrice
- 06JuneBestMild, highs near 63F (17C), nearly 18 hours of daylightThe longest days. Midges start to appear on the west coast later in the month.Hotels for June →CrowdsPrice
- 07JulyTradeoffsMild, highs near 66F (19C), rain likelyWarmest month, but peak crowds, prices, and midges. Skye and Glencoe are packed.CrowdsPrice
- 08AugustTradeoffsMild, highs near 65F (18C), frequent rainHeather in bloom and Highland Games, but midges and summer traffic peak.CrowdsPrice
- 09SeptemberBestMild, highs near 60F (16C)Quieter roads after schools go back, Braemar Gathering early in the month, fewer midges by mid month.Hotels for September →CrowdsPrice
- 10OctoberGoodCool, highs near 54F (12C), more rainFall color in Perthshire, stags roaring, and lower prices. Days shorten quickly.Hotels for October →CrowdsPrice
- 11NovemberQuiet valueCold, wet and windy, highs near 47F (8C)Many seasonal places close for the winter. Good for cozy pubs and whisky, less for sightseeing.CrowdsPrice
- 12DecemberQuiet valueCold, highs near 44F (7C), about 7 hours of daylightDark and quiet, with snow on the hills. Christmas and Hogmanay weeks bring a small spike.CrowdsPrice
Book Scottish Highlands for May.
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- Hotels for May
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Scottish HighlandsOpens a hotel search for Scottish Highlands in May, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Scottish HighlandsWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Scottish HighlandsTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Scottish Highlands for May. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Why go to Scottish Highlands
Wild, empty landscapes
Glens, lochs, and mountains with some of the lowest population density in Europe. On a clear day, the drive through Glencoe or along the west coast is one of the great drives in Britain.
The Isle of Skye and the islands
The Old Man of Storr, the Quiraing, and the Fairy Pools on Skye, plus quieter islands like Mull, Harris, and Lewis for those who want more space.
Whisky country
Speyside alone has around half of Scotland's malt distilleries, and many offer tours and tastings.
History and castles
Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness, Eilean Donan, and the Culloden battlefield tell the dramatic stories of clans and Jacobites.
Things to do, and when to do them
Glencoe
Scotland's most famous glen, with walks from easy to serious. The drive through it on the A82 is spectacular on its own.
Isle of Skye
Book accommodation months ahead for summer. The Old Man of Storr and the Fairy Pools are busiest from 10am to 4pm.
Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle
The castle ruins on the loch shore are managed by Historic Environment Scotland. Go at opening or late afternoon.
Cairngorms National Park
The UK's largest national park, with forests, mountains, reindeer, and ski areas.
Nevis Range and Ben Nevis
The gondola near Fort William runs to 650 meters for views and mountain biking. Ben Nevis itself is a long day hike.
Eilean Donan Castle
One of the most photographed castles in Scotland, on an island where three sea lochs meet. Seasonal hours.
The West Highland Line and the Jacobite steam train
Across the Glenfinnan Viaduct. The steam train runs in the warmer months; book well ahead.
Culloden Battlefield
Site of the last pitched battle on British soil in 1746. The visitor center puts you in the middle of it.
Events and seasons worth planning around
Up Helly Aa
The last Tuesday of January
Lerwick in Shetland, far north of the mainland, burns a Viking galley in a torchlit fire festival. A trip in itself.
Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival
Late April into early May
Distillery tours, tastings, and events across Speyside. Book popular events early.
Highland Games season
May through September
Caber tossing, piping, and dancing in towns across the Highlands.
Braemar Gathering
The first Saturday of September
The most famous Highland Games, often attended by the royal family.
Hogmanay
December 31 into January 1
Scotland's New Year. Edinburgh throws the biggest party, and Highland towns hold smaller local celebrations.
Beat the crowds
- Visit Skye and Glencoe in May, June, or September rather than July and August, and hit the famous stops before 9am or after 5pm.
- Explore quieter alternatives like the Isle of Mull, Applecross, or Assynt instead of only the Skye headline sights.
- Book accommodation on Skye and along the North Coast 500 route months ahead for summer; last-minute rooms are scarce.
- Use passing places correctly on single-track roads, and give yourself extra time. Travel times are longer than the map suggests.
Open or closed
- Many hotels, B&Bs, cafes, and attractions in remote areas close from roughly November to March. Check before booking a winter road trip.
- The Jacobite steam train runs only in the warmer months, roughly spring to fall.
- Midges are active from late May to September, worst in July and August on the west coast in still, damp weather. Repellent and head nets help.
- Winter storms can close ferries to the islands and mountain roads. Build slack into winter itineraries.
With kids in tow
- The Highland Wildlife Park, the Cairngorm reindeer herd, and Loch Ness boat trips keep kids engaged.
- The Glenfinnan Viaduct is a huge draw for Harry Potter fans; time a visit to see the steam train cross in season.
- Distances look short but single-track roads take time. Plan shorter driving days with kids.
- Pack for rain and midges in every season. Waterproofs and repellent make or break a family trip.
Getting there
- Most US travelers fly into Edinburgh or Glasgow, both with nonstops from several US cities, then drive or take the train north.
- Inverness Airport has flights from London and other UK cities, making it a good gateway for the north.
- The Caledonian Sleeper runs overnight from London to Inverness and Fort William, a scenic alternative to flying.
Packing? Packing cubes and the airport kit.
Scottish Highlands for the holidays
Holiday and school-break weeks where Scottish Highlands makes our ranked list.
Summer Vacation
June, July, August
Ten weeks, one country on vacation, and half the world too hot or too rainy. Go north, go high, or go south of the equator.
Fourth of July
July
The biggest fireworks night of the year and the busiest summer travel week. Go to the celebration, or go somewhere cool enough to enjoy it.
Scottish Highlands timing, quick answers
What is the best month to visit the Scottish Highlands?
May. It is often among the driest months, the days are long, and the midges and summer crowds have not yet arrived. September is a close second.
What is the cheapest time to visit the Scottish Highlands?
November through March, outside Christmas and Hogmanay. Accommodation is cheapest, but many seasonal places close and days are short.
When is midge season in Scotland?
Roughly late May to September, peaking in July and August, especially on the west coast in still, damp weather. Wind and sunshine keep them away.
When is the Isle of Skye most crowded?
July and August, plus Easter and other school holidays. Accommodation can be fully booked months ahead.
Does it rain all the time in the Highlands?
Rain is possible any day of the year, and the west is wetter than the east. Spring and early summer are often driest; fall and winter are wettest.
Can you see the northern lights in Scotland?
Yes, on clear winter nights with strong activity, especially in the far north and on the islands. It is never guaranteed.
Weighing alternatives
Similar trips, with their best months.
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