Scotland
Castle-topped streets in Edinburgh, Mackintosh buildings in Glasgow, and Highland mountains and islands that feel far from both cities.
Scotland is a country in northern Great Britain and part of the United Kingdom. Edinburgh is the capital, and Glasgow is the largest city, to the west. The mainland has three broad regions: the mountainous Highlands in the north and northwest, the flatter Lowlands across the middle, and the hilly Southern Uplands along the English border. Ben Nevis, at 1,345 m, is the highest peak in Scotland and the British Isles. About 900 islands lie off the west and north coasts, roughly 118 of them inhabited.
Visitors come for the cities, the lochs and mountains, and a long history. Skara Brae on Orkney is a well-preserved Neolithic village from around 6,000 years ago. The Antonine Wall, begun in 142 AD, marked the Roman northern frontier for a time. In Glasgow, look for the Art Nouveau buildings of Charles Rennie Mackintosh. The trip suits travelers who want history, walking and wild scenery. The weather changes quickly, so plan for rain at any time. Late spring to early autumn gives the best chance of dry days, and a week is a practical minimum for Edinburgh, Glasgow and one Highland area.
Five things to know before Scotland
- Get a UK ETA before you travel
Most visitors from the USA, Canada, Australia and Europe need an ETA rather than a visa: £20, valid 2 years or until your passport expires, for visits of up to 6 months. British and Irish citizens do not need one. UK ETA explained
- Book Edinburgh rooms early for August
The Fringe and the other August festivals fill the city and push room prices up. Edinburgh also charges a visitor levy on paid overnight stays from 24 July 2026. Edinburgh
- Settle where you sleep on Skye first
Skye has few beds for the number of visitors, so book the room before you plan the driving days. The Portree and Trotternish guides cover the base and the parking. Isle of Skye
- Pack midge repellent for the west Highlands
VisitScotland puts midge season at May to October, mainly in the west Highlands and islands. Bites are worst at dawn and dusk on still, damp days. Scottish Highlands
- Follow the Outdoor Access Code when you camp
Scotland's access rights cover lightweight camping on most land if you act responsibly. Parts of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park need a camping permit in season. Loch Lomond
Scotland travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
The Old Town, the festivals and where to stay.
Read the guideGlasgowMuseums, music and the West End.
Read the guideInvernessLoch Ness, Culloden and the trains north.
Read the guideScottish HighlandsGlencoe, lochs and the long roads north.
Read the guideIsle of SkyeBooking beds, single-track roads and the best walks.
Read the guideUK ETA explainedWho needs one, the £20 fee and how long it lasts.
Read the guideVisa checkerCheck entry rules for your passport.
Read the guideThe United KingdomEntry, money and power across the four nations.
Read the guide
Destinations in Scotland
Hostel beds, cheap eats, buses and free sights.
- Bed a night
- £35
- Food
- £30
- Transport
- £6
- Sights
- Free
A 3-star room, casual restaurants, public transport and one paid sight a day.
- Bed a night
- £75
- Food
- £65
- Transport
- £20
- Sights
- £20
A 4-star room, good restaurants, taxis and a guided tour.
- Bed a night
- £130
- Food
- £120
- Transport
- £55
- Sights
- £75
When to go
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- JanuaryRain13 rainy daysHigh6°Low2°Dark, coldJanuaryRain
- High
- 6°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 77 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dark, cold
- FebruaryRain14 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh7°Low2°ColdFebruaryRain
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 82 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold
- MarchRain15 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh9°Low3°CoolMarchRain
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 81 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool
- AprilPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh11°Low4°ShowersAprilPartly cloudy
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 53 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- MayPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh15°Low7°Long daysMayPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 67 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Long days
- JuneRain15 rainy daysHigh17°Low9°Longest daysJuneRain
Best
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 83 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Longest days
- JulyRain16 rainy daysHigh19°Low11°Midges westJulyRain
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 90 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Midges west
- AugustRain14 rainy daysHigh18°Low11°FestivalsAugustRain
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 89 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Festivals
- SeptemberRain14 rainy daysHigh16°Low9°Mild, quieterSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 88 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quieter
- OctoberRain16 rainy daysHigh13°Low7°Autumn colorOctoberRain
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 103 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn color
- NovemberRain14 rainy daysHigh9°Low4°Wet, darkNovemberRain
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 83 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, dark
- DecemberRain15 rainy daysHigh7°Low3°HogmanayDecemberRain
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 90 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hogmanay
Average daily high and low in Edinburgh, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Scotland
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
6
- Feels like
- 4°
- Humidity
- 82%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Edinburgh
11:23 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today10°4°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue11°7°8%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 11°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Wed10°5°4%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 10°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Thu10°7°13%Thursday: Drizzle. High 10°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 13%.
- Fri10°8°18%Friday: Drizzle. High 10°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 18%.
- Sat8°7°22%Saturday: Drizzle. High 8°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 22%.
- Sun10°2°6%Sunday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 6%.
Updated 10:56 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.7469 GBP
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Festivals by month
- JanUp Helly AaShetland
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- JulTRNSMTGlasgow
- AugEdinburgh Festival FringeEdinburghRoyal Edinburgh Military TattooEdinburgh
- Sep
- OctRoyal National ModAcross Scotland
- Nov
- DecEdinburgh's HogmanayEdinburgh
On tour in Scotland: Westlife 25: The Anniversary World Tour Aberdeen, Nov 3, 2026 · Rush Fifty Something Tour Glasgow, Mar 8 – 10, 2027 · Sabaton The Legendary Tour Part 2 Glasgow, Apr 9, 2027 · Rod Stewart The Final Encore Glasgow, Apr 29, 2027 · Oasis Live '27 Glasgow, May 21 – 29, 2027 · Nickelback Everything Under the Sun Tour 2027 Glasgow, Jun 1, 2027
Before you go to Scotland
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Scotland FAQ
Do I need a UK ETA to visit Scotland?
Most likely. Visitors from the USA, Canada, Australia and Europe usually need an ETA rather than a visa, unless they are British or Irish citizens. It costs £20, lasts 2 years or until your passport expires, and covers visits of up to 6 months. Check your passport on the visa checker.
Can I use Scottish banknotes in England?
Three Scottish banks issue their own notes, listed by the Bank of England as Bank of Scotland, Clydesdale Bank and Royal Bank of Scotland. Not every shop elsewhere in the UK takes them, so spend them in Scotland or pay by card.
How many days do I need in Scotland?
Ten days covers Edinburgh, Glasgow, the Highlands and Skye. With five days, pick Edinburgh and one Highland loop.
Do I need a car for the Highlands?
It helps. Trains reach Inverness, Fort William and Kyle of Lochalsh, but buses on the islands and in the far north are infrequent.
When is the best time to visit Scotland?
May, June and September have long days and avoid the peak of July and August. Winter is short on daylight but works for the cities.