Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no extra cost for you!
Are you planning to visit Scotland in May? Wondering what to do and whether it’s a good time to visit? You’ve come to the right place as we will answer all your questions in this article.
Scotland is one of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom.
While it may be famous for its haggis and tartan clothing, Scotland is so much more than this and is rich in sights, culture, and people.
With its pleasant weather and long days, May is the ideal time to visit.
Still, many factors can affect your experience in any country, especially when you decide to travel—and visiting Scotland is no different.
This article explores all you need to know about visiting Scotland in May, including travel and weather information, as well as the best places to see.
Weather in Scotland in May
Scotland is pretty much like every other temperate region on the planet. Annual temperatures usually fluctuate between 5oC (41oF) and 17oC (63oF)—peaking at around 18.2oC (64.76oF) on sweltering days.
As a general thing, he country enjoys its fair share of beautiful, sunny days and frigid, cold weeks with heavy snowfall. Fortunately, May is one of the best months to visit Scotland.
During May, the average temperature is around 13o C or 55.4o F, and this is warm enough to enjoy the sights and sounds without freezing and cold enough that you avoid the vengeful midges that come with summer months.
And with up to 17 hours of sunlight each day, visiting in May means you can also take in the beautiful green of spring.
Of course, the weather is different throughout the country, and you‘ll notice slight variations depending on exactly where you visit.
For example, regions closer to sea level and on the west coast usually experience typical temperature variations of around 6 to 14oC (43 to 57oF) compared to the cold temperatures of the highlands and eastern Scotland, which fluctuate between 0oC and 5oC (32oF and 41oF) all year.
In summary, the weather in Scotland in May is temperature and while there might be some showers, it’s definitely still one of the best time of the year to visit.
Reasons To Visit Scotland in May
Scotland’s weather in May is amazing compared to other months of the year and if you’re not sure, here are all the fun reasons you should spend this May in the beautiful countryside of Scotland.
- Pleasant weather: The warm temperatures in May more than elevate your experience if you’re visiting Scotland. With mild highs and moderate lows, it’s just the perfect time to explore the northern UK without worrying about frigid weather or nasty sunburn.
- Long days: Everyone loves the daylight, whether you’re an early bird or a night owl and visiting Scotland in May means you can experience up to 17 hours of daylight—more than you need to take in the sights and sounds!
- Beautiful scenery: The Scottish landscape is to die for, and you can enjoy all the natural sights and historical landmarks in May.
- Festivals and events: Visiting in May means you can experience different Scottish festivals and events thanks to the perfect weather.
- Food: Ultimately, visiting a new country means a unique experience for your palate, even if you’re not an epicure. May in Scotland means enjoying dishes such as haggis, Scotch pies, and black pudding.
May is the best month to visit Scotland if you want to enjoy all the country has to offer.
What To Pack To Visit Scotland in May
Visiting a new country is fun, but your experience is usually only as enjoyable as how well you pack for the trip.
Therefore, going through the essentials and learning all you need to take along if you’re visiting Scotland in May is essential.
Here are some basic items to pack if you’re visiting Scotland in May:
- Light and waterproof clothes: May means springtime in Scotland, the weather can be unpredictable, and rain showers are common. So, pack as many warm and waterproof clothes as possible when visiting.
- Sunscreen: 17 hours of sunlight is fantastic, but all that sunshine can lead to sunburn if you’re not careful. So, remember to throw in a bottle of sunscreen when packing.
- Comfortable shoes: Sturdy shoes are a must because Scotland offers countless lovely trails and mountain climbing opportunities. You must be appropriately dressed if you plan on enjoying these.
- Umbrella: Expect unexpected rain showers if you’re visiting Scotland in May. But remember to grab an umbrella to keep dry no matter the weather.
- Camera: Your phone might be top-of-the-line, but nothing beats a good old-fashioned camera to capture all the sights and stunning landscapes!
- Socket adapter: Scotland is part of the UK which means that the sockets used are type G. If you come from Ireland or the rest of the UK, you will be just fine, otherwise you will need to get an international adapter.
And of course don’t forget all your travel essentials such as toiletries and clothes!
Best Places To Visit in Scotland in May
Visiting Scotland is great, but where exactly are the best places to visit? After all, you don’t plan on spending the entire trip cooped up in a hotel room.
This section of the article focuses on the best things to do in the best places in Scotland.
Here are the best places to visit in Scotland in May:
- Edinburgh
- Isle of Skye
- Glencoe
- Fort William and Glenfinnan
- North Coast 500
- Glasgow
- Isle of Mull
- Isle of Arran
- Cairngorms National Park
- Loch Lomond
- Inverness
- Oban
- Aberdeen
Let’s explore each of these places!
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is a stunning and ancient city renowned for its beautiful architecture, extensive cultural legacy, and thriving arts scene. Visiting the city in May means you can take part in the city’s well-known events like the Edinburgh International Festival and the Beltane Fire Festival.
You can enjoy popular tourist attractions and drink in all the popular tourist hotspots like Edinburgh Castle and the National Museum of Scotland.
Edinburgh offers plenty to attract everyone, regardless of your interests in history, culture, or the outdoors.
It’s also a great place to visit if you are a Harry Potter fan. This is where JK Rowling wrote most of the books and there are a lot of places in the city that inspired her.
The city is served by a reliable bus and tram service, and there are also black taxis. If Edinburgh is your first port of call in Scotland, you can arrive at its international airport or take a train up from London.
Isle of Skye
Scotland’s Inner Hebrides is home to the untamed and picturesque Isle of Skye. The island, famous for its stunning scenery and quaint villages, has a rich cultural history, much like every Scottish isle.
May is a great time to visit the Isle of Skye since the warm spring weather means you can enjoy new flowers and fewer tourists.
It also means that you can enjoy all the hikes Skye has to offer without being bothered by the midges.
Must-see sights include the Quiraing, the Fairy Pools, Dunvegan Castle and the Old Man of Storr.
The Isle of Skye is an outdoor enthusiast’s heaven, and you can enjoy hiking, climbing, and fishing if you’re down a tranquil hideaway or an exhilarating getaway.
The island doesn’t have a railway, but locals often get around using the bus service (though it’s pretty limited).
The best way to get there is by renting a car on the mainland and take it across or booking a tour from Edinburgh or Glasgow.
Glencoe
Glencoe is one of the most beautiful villages in western Scotland.
Located in the Scottish Highlands, the area is popular for its spectacular waterfalls and exciting trails, particularly Buachaille Etive Mor and Bidean nam Bian.
There’s so much to see in the quaint valley, but you should check out the Glencoe Folk Museum, which houses regional and national history exhibits.
Glencoe’s local wildlife is also as exciting as the landscape, and you can catch a glimpse of red deer and golden eagles if you visit in May.
Again, since this area is all about hiking, May is particularly great since the weather is usually quite nice and there aren’t midges yet.
Fort William and Glenfinnan
You can find Fort William and Glenfinnan in the Scottish Highlands. These locations provide a fusion of scenic beauty and historical significance.
Fort William offers stunning landscapes, including Ben Nevis—the UK’s highest mountain—and a popular tourist attraction.
Glenfinnan is a charming community next to the well-known Glenfinnan Viaduct, which has appeared in the Harry Potter movies.
You can check out the viaduct if you’re a Potterhead or take a walk through the picturesque village.
As you’d expect, visiting Fort William and Glenfinnan in May heightens the experience, and you can take long walks in comfortable weather without worrying about midges.
The reliable local bus and taxi service make getting around Fort William and Glenfinnan easy.
Finally, if you are a Harry Potter fan, you will also get a chance to ride the real life version of the Harry Potter train, the Jacobite.
It runs from Fort William to Mallaig, via Glenfinnan Viaduct, and is only on from April to October.
North Coast 500
The North Coast 500—or NC500—is not a place but a stunning route through the Scottish Highlands.
It’s a journey exploring Scotland’s north coast, and you’ll experience breathtaking landscapes and settlements throughout its roughly 500-mile (804 km) length.
NC500 starts and ends from Inverness Castle and passes through various sights, including ancient castles, untamed coasts, and serene lochs.
It’s a fantastic experience if you want to explore Scotland on foot or are in the mood for a road trip.
Visiting the NC500 in May means you’ll be able to enjoy the route in perfect weather, with all the attractions open.
Glasgow
Glasgow is located on the River Clyde in western Scotland and is a hub for Scottish history, architecture, and Victorian art.
And places to explore in the city include the famed Scottish Opera and the National Theatre of Scotland—making it one of the best places to experience traditional and modern Scottish culture.
Getting around Glasgow is easy, and you can choose from buses, the subway, or taxis.
The clear weather makes visiting during May an absolute pleasure!
Isle of Mull
The Isle of Mull sounds like a place out of Arthurian legend, and it may be so. After all, it’s one of the best places in Scotland to frolic with different wildlife and enjoy the country’s natural landscape and historic ruins.
The island is located in the Argyll and Bute council area, right off the shore of Scotland’s west coast.
However, Mull is more than just another Scottish island. It’s the fourth-largest island in Scotland and Great Britain and is also home to the Mull Museum and Duart Castle.
Visiting in May means avoiding midge season and seeing all the birds, otters, and whales while the weather is perfect.
Isle of Arran
It’s difficult to run out of islands if you’re visiting Scotland.
The Isle of Arran, or Arran to locals, is the seventh-biggest Scottish island in the UK.
It’s also located off Scotland’s west coast but in the North Ayrshire unitary council area.
Arran is a perfect getaway for wildlife enthusiasts and features diverse species of birds and animals.
You can also check it out if you love outdoor activities like hiking and are okay with getting wet.
Visiting in May means enjoying activities like sea kayaking without worrying about bad weather or frigid temperatures.
Cairngorms National Park
Cairngorms National Park is the largest national park in the UK, located in northeast Scotland.
It was established in 2003 and is home to the Cairngorms Reindeer Centre, the Strathspey Railway, the Cairngorms Mountain Resort, and many other historical and cultural landmarks.
The park is renowned for its abundant biodiversity, including several bird species, red squirrels, and otters that you can find in the nearby woodlands and canals.
And since the wildlife and sights are the core features of Cairngorms, visiting in May means you can see the animals while they’re active.
Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond is famous for many reasons, but mostly because it reminds tourists and non-locals of Loch Ness and the Loch Ness monster.
And while you might find no monsters in Loch Lomond, the large freshwater loch is home to a variety of wildlife and marine creatures—enough to make a simple hike an exciting affair.
The Loch Lomond Bird of Prey Centre, the Loch Lomond Shores Visitor Center, and the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Visitor Center are some of the area’s well-known attractions.
The long days, perfect weather, and mild temperatures of May make visiting a fantastic experience—even if you’re looking for a more leisurely experience.
Inverness
Inverness is another of Scotland’s coastal cities, situated in the region where the Moray Firth and the River Ness converge.
Popularly regarded as the capital of the Scottish Highlands, Inverness is famous for its vibrant food and drink scene, historical sites, and cultural attractions.
If you are an Outlander fan, it should be at the top of your bucket list since you can find the Culloden Battlefield nearby.
The key places to explore in Inverness are the 18th-century Old High Church, Inverness Museum, and Art Gallery.
Spring is the perfect time to visit Inverness thanks to the pleasant weather, which improves the breathtaking scenery.
Oban
Oban might be small, but it’s a resort town with stunning scenery—including the Oban Bay—making it a popular tourist destination.
The town is also one of Scotland’s foremost centers for ferry services to the Inner Hebrides islands, making it an ideal place for inter-island adventures.
You can also experience authentic Scottish cuisine in Oban, complete with traditional Scottish drinks like Whipkull.
And while visiting Oban at any time of the year is a delight, May means you can spend more time outdoors while enjoying the spring weather.
Aberdeen
Aberdeen is famous among foreigners because it’s home to the University of Aberdeen—one of the UK’s top universities.
However, the port city isn’t just an academic hub. It’s a great place to experience Scotland’s maritime heritage.
Of course, Aberdeen isn’t just a cultural hub. The beautiful scenery—including the North Sea’s beaches, the Grampian Mountains’ rolling hills, and Royal Deeside’s woodland parks—make visiting a once-in-a-lifetime experience for anyone, even locals.
May is a great time to visit Aberdeen because the pleasant weather means you can enjoy the company of the international population and explore all the natural wonders the city offers.
Events Taking Place in Scotland in May
Scotland is as vibrant as it is beautiful, and you can get the most out of your visit regardless of what you enjoy. However, there are a few events that you can only experience if you visit the country in May.
Here are some of the events that take place in Scotland in May:
- Scotland’s Big Nature Festival
- Edinburgh International Children’s Festival
- Ullapool Book Festival
- Melrose Music Festival
- Orkney Folk Festival
- Islay Festival of Malt and Music
- Ballater Royal Deeside Walking Festival
- The Edinburgh Marathon
- Ideal Home Show
- Eat And Drink Festival
- Orkney Folk Festival
- The Fife Show
- Perth Festival of the Arts
- Arran Mountain Festival
All these events run at different times in May, and you can experience any of them if you’re in the region.
You may also be interested in:
