Skip to main content

 Climates to travel
 World climate guide
 
 Open menu
 Home

 Africa

 N.America

 S.America

 Antarctica

 Asia

 Caribbean

 Europe

 M.East

 Oceania

 All the countries
Open menu
 Home

 Africa

 N.America

 S.America

 Antarctica

 Asia

 Caribbean

 Europe

 M.East

 Oceania

 All the countries
Select units of measurement for the temperature and rainfall tables (metric or imperial).

Climate in Scotland


Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine

Flag - Scotland

Map - Scotland

You are here: Home --> Europe --> Scotland


Share this page:
Facebook LinkedIn Whatsapp Email




In Scotland, a nation that occupies the northern part of Great Britain, the climate is oceanic, that is, very cool, damp, rainy, and windy most of the year.

The temperatures do not vary much throughout the year. In the lowlands, the daily averages in January and February are 4 °C (39 °F) in the Shetland Islands, 4.5 °C (40 °F) in the Orkney Islands, and 5 °C (41 °F) in the Hebrides, and as for the cities, 3.5 °C (38.5 °F) in Inverness and 4 °C (39 °F) in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
In July and August, the averages range from 12.5 °C (54.5 °F) in the Shetland Islands, to 13.5 °C (56.5 °F) in Orkney and the Hebrides, to 14.5 °C (58 °F) in Aberdeen, and to 15 °C (59 °F) in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Precipitation is more abundant on the western side and on the highlands, where it even exceeds 1,500 mm (60 in) per year, while it's less abundant on the eastern side, where it drops to 600/700 mm (24/28 in): so Glasgow, located on the western side, is rainier than Edinburgh. However, the rains are common everywhere, and even in the summer months, there are at least 10 days of rain per month on average.

Loch Ness

The wind is more common in the western and northern side and on the islands: it's no coincidence that the main cities (Aberdeen, Dundee, Glasgow, Edinburgh) lie in the eastern or southern sides, which are relatively sheltered. However, when the most intense low pressure systems occur, the wind can be strong everywhere.

Fog can be formed in inland areas at night, in the rare periods in which an anticyclone dominates, in autumn and winter. In the Highlands, the landscape is often foggy due to the passage of low clouds. Instead, from April to September, sea fogs can form on the eastern coasts.

The sun is rarely seen in Scotland. However, the sun is relatively more frequent in May and June, when the days are also very long. From November to January, also due to the very short days, the sun is almost never seen.
On average, there are just 1,150 hours of sunshine per year in the Shetland Islands, which in this ranking are beaten at the European, and perhaps world level, only by the Faroe Islands. Further south, there are approximately 1,200 hours of sunshine per year in the Orkney Islands, 1,250 hours in the Hebrides and in Inverness, which is located on the north coast, and 1,350/1,450 hours in the main cities.

Given the latitude of Scotland (from almost 61 degrees north latitude in Shetland to just over 54 degrees in the south), the length of the days varies greatly between the different months of the year. And so, from November to January, the days are very short, while from May to July, they are very long. The "white nights", in which it is not completely dark even at midnight, occur from May 11th to August 1st in Shetland, which is located more to the north, and from June 2nd to July 10th in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

The climate in detail


  • Seasons
  • Plain
  • Highlands
  • When to go
  • What to pack
  • Climate data

Seasons



The Gulf Stream makes the Scottish winter fairly mild, at least in comparison with other countries located at the same latitude: as we have seen, in the plains, the average temperature in January and February is a few degrees above freezing. However, the northern location makes Scotland prone to cold winds from Greenland, which can bring snow showers and frosts, especially on the highlands, but these periods don't usually last long, and after a short time, the westerlies start to blow again.
Sometimes, however, there may be cold waves more intense than usual. In the islands, cold records are not that low (for example, -9 °C or 16 °F in Lerwick, in the Shetland Islands, -7 °C or 19.5 °F in Balivanich, in Benbecula, and -8 °C or 17.5 °F in Kirkwall, in Orkney). In the main cities, cold records generally range from -17 °C or 1.5 °F (see Dundee) to -20 °C or -4 °F (see Glasgow). In inland areas, there are some valleys where even lower values have been reached: the cold record, which applies to all the British islands, is -27.2 °C (-17 °F), recorded both in Altnaharra, a northern village, in December 1995, and in Braemar, a town located 10 km (6 mi) from Balmoral Castle, in January 1982.

In spring, the temperature rises very slowly, so that it's still cold in April, when the maximum temperature is around 10/12 °C (50/54 °F). In return, spring is the sunniest season, albeit slightly.

Summer is cool: the average maximum temperature in July and August ranges from 14/15 °C (57/59 °F) on the Shetland Islands, to 16 °C (61 °F) on the Orkney and Hebrides islands, to 19 °C (66 °F) in the main cities.
In Scotland, even the summer is a pretty rainy season, and sunshine in mid-summer (July and August) is even rarer than at the beginning of the season (June).
However, quite rarely, there may be periods, usually short-lived, with sunny weather and pleasantly warm temperatures. On the warmest days of the year, the temperature typically reaches 25/26 °C (77/79 °F) in the main cities, though it can sometimes reach higher values.
The record heat in Scotland is 35 °C (95 °F), set in July 2022 at Floors Castle, in the south-east, near the border with England, while the previous record was 33 °C (91.5 °F), set in Greycrook, a location in the vicinity. For the rest, the highest recorded temperature are around 23 °C (73.5 °F) on the Shetland Islands, around 25 °C (77 °F) on Orkney and Hebrides, and 30/31 °C (86/88 °F) in the main cities of Scotland.

Autumn is cold, windy and rainy. The wind in Scotland is frequent, and sometimes can be very strong, especially in autumn and winter.

Plain


Climate chart - Glasgow
In Glasgow, the average temperature ranges from around 4 °C in January to 15 °C in July.
As mentioned, Glasgow is located in the western part of Scotland, the rainiest one.
The sea in Scotland is not so cold in winter, at least if we consider the latitude, while it remains cold in summer, around 14 °C (57 °F).

Highlands



In the Highlands, the weather is obviously colder, and snowfalls often occur in winter. Snow cover duration is remarkable because the temperature is not much higher in the other seasons. The wind in the Highlands is also more intense and frequent, as generally happens in mountainous regions.
For example, in Glen Ogle, located at 565 meters (1,855 feet) above sea level, the average temperature ranges from around 1 °C (34 °F) in January and February to 12 °C (53.5 °F) in July.

At higher altitudes, temperatures are even lower. On Cairngorm Mountain, at 1,245 meters (4,085 feet), where there is also a ski lift, the average temperature ranges from around -3 °C (26.5 °F) in January and February to 7 °C (44.5 °F) in July. The average drops below freezing from November to March. Here, the wind can exceed at the worst moments 200 kph (95 mph), especially from November to March. Also, the temperature can sometimes drop to freezing even in summer.

The highest peak in Scotland is Mount Ben Nevis, 1,344 meters (4,411 feet) high.

When to go



The best time to visit Scotland is the summer, from June to August.
As mentioned above, the sea is cold even in summer.

What to pack



In winter: pack warm clothes, such as a sweater, a coat, a wind jacket, and a raincoat. For the Highlands and for colder periods: pack gloves, a hat, and a scarf.
In summer: pack clothes for spring and autumn, but also a jacket and a sweater, and a raincoat or umbrella.

Climate data - Scotland


Temperatures: °C, Precipitation: mm
Aberdeen
Aberdeen, location on the map
Aberdeen, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.11246911119631
Max temp.7791114161818161397
Precip.7060556055707070601009580
Prec. days121111111012121110141413
Humidity82%80%77%77%76%79%80%80%81%83%84%84%
Day length75951191441661781711511271038068
Sun hours234575554322
Sea temp877791113141312119

Aultbea
Aultbea, location on the map
Aultbea, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.334579111110853
Max temp.88911141617171613108
Precip.1701301208080758095125160165170
Prec. days211818141414151617202021

Aviemore (230 meters)
Aviemore, location on the map
Aviemore, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.-1-10248109741-1
Max temp.5681115171918161285
Precip.120857560656565757010095110
Prec. days161414121313131313161615
Sun hours123565544221

Balivanich
Balivanich, location on the map
Balivanich, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.3345710111110853
Max temp.8881113151616151298
Precip.13085906065758585120140140130
Sun hours134666554221

Baltasound
Baltasound, location on the map
Baltasound, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.22246810109742
Max temp.767911131515141187
Precip.130100100605555658595115125125
Prec. days221920141311121416202122

Braemar (340 meters)
Braemar, location on the map
Braemar, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.-1-1024799641-1
Max temp.5571014161817151175
Precip.1007565606060707570110100100
Prec. days141313111212121211151615
Day length75951191441661781711511271038068
Sun hours123565554211

Cairn Gorm (1.245 meters)
Cairn Gorm, location on the map
Cairn Gorm, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.-5-5-4-2025430-3-5
Max temp.-1-10258997410

Charterhall
Charterhall, location on the map
Charterhall, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.11246910109631
Max temp.6791214172020171396
Precip.605050505065707060807570
Prec. days131110101011121110131313

Drumalbin (245 meters)
Drumalbin, location on the map
Drumalbin, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.00235810108631
Max temp.5681114161818151286
Precip.95756550556580807010095100
Prec. days161413121212141412151616

Dundee
Dundee, location on the map
Dundee, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.11246911119631
Max temp.7791215171919171397
Precip.705550455060657555857065
Prec. days121099101111119121212
Humidity86%82%79%74%72%75%75%76%79%83%85%87%
Day length76961191431651761701501271038170
Sun hours234565654321
Sea temp877791113141312109

Edinburgh
Edinburgh, location on the map
Edinburgh, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.11246911109631
Max temp.78912151719191713107
Precip.655550405065707055756565
Prec. days12101091010111010121212
Humidity85%82%79%77%76%78%79%80%81%83%85%86%
Day length77971201431641751691491271038271
Sun hours234565554322
Sea temp87781012141514131210

Eskdalemuir (235 meters)
Eskdalemuir, location on the map
Eskdalemuir, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.00125810107520
Max temp.5681114161818151286
Precip.210170145100105110130145130185190205
Prec. days191616141314161615181918
Sun hours123455443221

Fairisle
Fairisle, location on the map
Fairisle, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.433568101110864
Max temp.767810121414131197
Precip.1058575454550557575105110100
Prec. days20161612109101214182020
Sun hours123576554311

Glasgow
Glasgow, location on the map
Glasgow, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.11246911109631
Max temp.78912151819191713107
Precip.15512511075708090105110135145160
Prec. days181515131213131414171818
Humidity86%83%80%76%74%76%78%80%82%85%86%88%
Day length77971201431641751681491271038271
Sun hours133565554321
Sea temp87781012141514141210

Glen Ogle (565 meters)
Glen Ogle, location on the map
Glen Ogle, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.-1-10146887410
Max temp.33471014151412854

Inverness
Inverness, location on the map
Inverness, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.11236911108530
Max temp.6791214171918161296
Precip.756055405560606565806575
Prec. days141212101112111212141314
Humidity83%80%77%74%74%76%76%78%80%82%84%86%
Day length74951191441671791721511271028067
Sun hours134565444321
Sea temp8878911131413121110

Kirkwall
Kirkwall, location on the map
Kirkwall, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.22346810119743
Max temp.7781012141616141297
Precip.1159585605555607590120125115
Prec. days201817141211121315192020
Humidity84%83%82%81%80%83%85%85%85%84%84%85%
Day length71931191461701841761531271017763
Sun hours123565444211
Sea temp8877911131313121110

Lerwick
Lerwick, location on the map
Lerwick, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.22246810109742
Max temp.667811131415131087
Precip.1501251107055607090105130145150
Prec. days221919151212121316202223
Humidity83%83%81%80%80%82%85%86%84%84%83%83%
Day length68921191471731881791551281007460
Sun hours123565443211
Sea temp888891012131211109

Lossiemouth
Lossiemouth, location on the map
Lossiemouth, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.11246911119630
Max temp.78912141619181613107
Precip.504540405060607065756055
Prec. days121010101012111211131312

Machrihanish
Machrihanish, location on the map
Machrihanish, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.3335710111110853
Max temp.881011141618181613109
Precip.130105907070708510095135140135
Prec. days191615121312141515171918

Stornoway
Stornoway, location on the map
Stornoway, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.32356911119753
Max temp.78810131416161512108
Precip.1451101057570657590105135130140
Prec. days211818151413141516202121
Humidity84%82%82%80%79%81%83%84%84%83%83%84%
Day length73941191451681811741521271027865
Sun hours123575444311
Sea temp8877911131313121110

Strathallan
Strathallan, location on the map
Strathallan, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.01246911108520
Max temp.6791215182019171397
Precip.1208575556070807570110100110
Prec. days161313101112121212141514

Tiree
Tiree, location on the map
Tiree, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.4445710111210864
Max temp.88911131516171513108
Precip.1351109570657090105105145140145
Prec. days211717121312141515192121
Sun hours134687664321

Tulloch
Tulloch, location on the map
Tulloch, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.0012581098520
Max temp.6681114161717151186
Precip.250185155105959095110130190205225
Prec. days201818151415161616202019

West Freugh
West Freugh, location on the map
West Freugh, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.22346911119742
Max temp.881012151718181713108
Precip.1058580656070809085130125120
Prec. days161413121111121412161716

Wick
Wick, location on the map
Wick, location on the map
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min temp.21246810109642
Max temp.6781012141616151297
Precip.706555505055607065959070
Prec. days161414121211121213171816



See also the temperatures month by month

Back to top


© Copyright Climatestotravel.com. 

Back to Europe

All the countries


Share this page:
Facebook LinkedIn Whatsapp Email



 See also (cities or regions):
 Aberdeen
 Braemar
 Dundee
 Edinburgh
 Glasgow
 Inverness
 Kirkwall
 Shetland
 Stornoway

 Weather by month:
 January
 February
 March
 April
 May
 June
 July
 August
 September
 October
 November
 December

 Nearby countries:
 England
 Faroe Islands
 Iceland
 Ireland
 Northern Ireland
 Norway
 United Kingdom

 Continents:
 Africa
 North America
 South America
 Antarctica
 Asia
 Caribbean
 Europe
 Middle East
 Oceania

 Search in the website:

Home About Contact Us Useful Links Policy
Home
About
Contact Us
Useful Links
Policy