Is Scotland cold? The Scottish weather!

When people imagine Scotland they think of rolling fields and highland cows, lush valleys and high mountains. But what is the weather like? Is Scotland a very cold place to live?

Well. It depends on your definition of cold. Scotland is regarded as cold, but it is nowhere near as cold as some places in the world. Even though we share the same latitude as very cold places such as Moscow in Russia, Canada and parts of Alaska. Scotland is very temperate and nowhere near as cold. Even countries further south in Europe, such as Germany have much colder winters than Scotland.

So why is this? Scotland is one of the most northerly countries in Europe and juts into the cold north sea AND is relatively near the arctic circle... why do we not have winters on par with Norway?

The Gulf Stream

The main answer is the gulf stream - a warm ocean current that begins in the Gulf of Mexico and makes its way across the Atlantic Ocean and passes the Northwest sides of Ireland and Scotland. This is why the sea never freezes around Scotland, and why the weather is generally warmer than in other places, like Canada where in places the sea does freeze, every year.

Scotland in terms of geography has a large coastline and only shares a border with England to the south. Having so much coastline also affects temperature and coastal readings are always a little warmer than the inland areas. For example, the coastal villages on the Moray coast will rarely see heavy snowfall, but inland locations such as Aviemore will always have a large amount of snow each year. The more inland you are, and at higher elevations, the colder it is, and the likelihood of snow increases.

The Jet Stream

The position of the Jet Stream also significantly affects the weather in Scotland and will normally also pass to the northwest of Scotland bringing rain to the west but drier conditions to the east.

What is the average maximum temperature in Scotland?

The maximum temperature variations over the seasons are outlined below.

Spring: March April and May - 8/13 °C (46.4/55.4 °F).

Summer: June, July, August - 15/17 °C (59/62.6 °F).

Autumn: September, October, November - 15/8 °C (59/46.4 °F).

Winter: December, January, February the average maximum temperature is between 5 and 6 °C (41/42.8 °F).

Although these are the maximum average temperatures, there is a wild variation in individual days or weeks. For example, it's not unusual for temperatures to hit 26 °C or higher in the summer months on particularly hot days.

Growing up in Scotland I have seen summers so warm that the tarmac melts on the roads, and conversely, I have witnessed freezing temperatures of up to minus 15 °C and seen Loch Morlich, Loch An Eilein and Loch Garten freeze over completely. There really is a massive range of temperature variations in Scotland despite the average temperature for each season looking fairly tame!

Mountainous regions will obviously have lower temperatures than the low lands and coastal areas.

Despite having good summers, Scottish people are often deficient in vitamin D, and supplements are recommended by the health service in the dark winter months. This deficiency may explain why Scotland has been hit a bit harder by the Covid-19 pandemic than other European nations.

Are weather forecasts accurate in Scotland?

They are reasonably accurate, but freak rainfall can occur even if not forecast. In north Scotland, it can be possible to be forgotten in terms of wind prediction... many times in my life there have been no storm warnings but fierce unexpected winds howl through the night.

Weather differences between the east coast and west coast of Scotland

For such a small country it's amazing the differences between the west coast and east coast of Scotland, and again this is due to the jet stream and gulf stream.

The west is lusher and a little warmer but wetter, giving rise to the highland midge menace, a small biting insect that appears in late spring and through the summer months. Please see my Midge survival guide.

The east is much drier and more rocky/barren than the west. It's also a bit colder in the winter months. You could be excused for thinking that Fort William in the western highlands was in a different country from Stonehaven in the east, the entire feel of the landscape and weather is completely different.

Should I pack warm clothes for a trip to Scotland?

It all depends on the time of year, but it's worth packing some warmer options even for the summer months. Evenings can be cooler especially on the coast if there is a breeze. If you are visiting Scotland from a warm country, it would definitely be beneficial to bring some warmer clothes, even in summer.

"There's no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes!" - an old Scottish saying.

Here's a rough guide of what to pack for a visit to Scotland depending on the season:

• Spring: Trousers/Jeans, waterproof shoes/boots, cotton sweater, cardigan.

• Summer: Shorts, t-shirts, light trousers, leggings. Hoodie/fleece for cooler evenings. Midge repellant/net.

• Autumn: Warm coat, wear layers, warm cardigan, jeans. A hat and scarf might be beneficial on cold crisp days.

• Winter: Thick winter coat, hat, gloves, scarf, jeans, more layers, warm socks, waterproof footwear. You can also wear a thermal underlayer if you don't handle the cold well.

For all seasons it is worth bringing an umbrella or waterproof raincoat/poncho, even in summer you can get a torrential downpour of rain and be caught out. Also consider investing in a midge net and midge repellant if visiting Scotland in the warmest months, particularly on the west Highlands.

Wind Chill Factor

Another thing to keep in mind is that strong winds can make Scotland feel colder than it is. The wind chill factor can easily make 7 °C feel like 0 °C, especially with a cold wind coming from the north.

The Scottish wind need not be a bad thing though with conditions in the Outer Hebrides being perfect for windsurfing in the summer months. My home county of Moray also has great surfing options on the Moray Coast at Lossiemouth and Cullen.

Hillwalking

It goes without saying if you intend on scaling some of Scotland's great mountains or Munroes, you need the correct season, clothing, footwear and equipment. Unbelievably I have seen people scale some of Scotland's toughest climbs (Ben Nevis) wearing nothing by shorts and flip flops! Don't do this!

What was the coldest ever temperature recorded in Scotland?

The lowest was −27.2 °C (−17.0 °F) at Braemar located in the Grampian mountains within the Cairngorms National Park in 1982.

How many days of snowfall does Scotland get per year?

Snowfall in Scotland ranges between 15 and 20 days. Snowfall only occurs on high ground or inland areas. Southern Scotland doesn't see as much snowfall as other areas of Scotland.

How many days of rain does Scotland get per year?

Around 120 days per year! Precipitation is common in Scotland! Most months will have more than 10 days of rain on average, with the west side of Scotland seeing more rainfall... but all of Scotland will get regular rain.

Is Scotland colder than England?

Yes. I couldn't believe the difference when visiting London once while on a school trip in the 1990s. London was significantly warmer than northeast Scotland. England gets warmer the further south you travel, areas like Cornwall and the south east coast in particular.

Who is entitled to cold weather payments in Scotland?

In Scotland, a payment of £25 can be automatically paid to certain groups living in Scotland to help pay for their home's central heating. The payment is sent if there is a continuous period of cold weather for 7 days. These payments are only paid to those on low incomes and are not limited to the elderly.

I believe 2022 is the first year that this power has been devolved to the Scottish Government from the UK government, so there is likely to be some change in the rules soon.

More information on Cold Weather Payments.

Should I visit Scotland in winter?

It all depends on what you want to get out of your trip. If you're looking to take in some winter sports, chill in a nice spa hotel, or have a winter escape to a little cottage in the middle of nowhere, then Scotland in winter is for you.

Scotland is definitely more geared up for Spring, Summer and Autumn for tourists, so be sure to check all the attractions you want to visit are open in the winter months.

Further inland and places with higher elevations you might have problems with snow.

Something to bear in mind too is the amount of daylight hours are greatly reduced during the Scottish winter, you may only have between 5 and 6 hours of sunlight each day! On the flipside, the summer months it never gets to complete darkness and the sun will rise as early as 3/4 am in the morning.

We also observe daylight savings twice per year to make the most of the available light, so the clocks are set 1 hour ahead at 1 am on the last Sunday in March, and on the last Sunday of October back an hour.

The main attractions of Scotland in winter would be:

• Christmas and Hogmanay (Scotland is famous for its new year celebrations). Edinburgh in particular has a great Christmas Market and even an outdoor ice rink down an entire street.

• Snowsports between December and March.

• Experience a Burns Supper to celebrate the life of Scotlands national poet Robert Burns.

• The Northern Lights / Aurora Borealis are visible in the winter months and has been very active in recent years.

• Stargazing. Scotland has many recognised dark sky areas, ideal for viewing the night sky, unspoiled by light pollution.

• Fewer tourists in popular locations like the Isle of Skye, or the North Coast 500 route.

• No biting midges are active in winter in west Scotland.

Is Scotland more expensive in winter?

No, accommodation is actually cheaper as this is the least busy time for tourism. Many hotels can often even shut down at the end of November for a few weeks as bookings are so slow. This is an ideal time to snap up a bargain at some of Scotland's nicest hotels for a serious discount.

My family and I are often lucky enough to stay at Scandinavian Village each November in the low season, making for a fantastic escape before the madness of Christmas.

The North Coast 500 route is very busy in the summer months, but in the winter it would be much quieter, but conditions will likely be wetter and windier.

Is Scotland always cold and rainy?

No. Scotland actually has an amazing range of weather conditions, everything from snow blizzards in winter to scorching hot days in summer, we have the entire gamut of seasons in Scotland and each one feels like a "proper" defined season.

We often have holidays at Grannie's Heilan' Hame which is north of Inverness and near Dornoch, and despite being in the north and on the coast we have experienced amazing weather conditions here, perhaps even on par with Spain. The kids can play on the beach and swim in the sea and you can work on a fine suntan!

It's definitely wrong to suggest that Scotland never sees the sun. Do Scottish homes have air-conditioning?

What are the wettest months in Scotland?

October, November, December and January are the wettest months. April, May and June are the driest.

Conclusion - is Scotland cold?

Yes, but it's not that bad! Scotland gets a bad rap for poor weather, but with some planning on the best time of year and what to wear, you can have a fantastic trip to Scotland in any weather conditions.  I hope this weather guide has been useful, as a local I have lived here for over 35 years and have seen everything Scotland can throw at me in terms of bad weather!