WINTER WEATHER IN SCOTLAND & DAYLIGHT HOURS
With average winter temperatures in Scotland of around 4°C (39°F) to 5 °C (40°F), it is possible to experience all types of weather conditions in a day. The winter weather in Scotland is known to change quickly and often, from rainy to snowy to sunny, so in terms of what to pack for Scotland in winter you should be ready for just about anything. When travelling to Scotland in winter, we recommend bring lots of layers such as sweaters or fleeces as well as a warm, waterproof jacket. Sturdy walking shoes or hiking boots are also a must if you want to do any short winter hiking tours in Scotland.
In terms of sunrise and sunset in Scotland in winter, the daylight hours between December and February vary between 8 AM in the morning and 4 PM or 5 PM in the afternoon. This means that on winter breaks in Scotland you’ll have plenty of time to experience the warm Scottish hospitality at night with some gourmet Scottish food and a wee glass of whisky.
WHERE TO VISIT IN SCOTLAND IN WINTER
Winter in particular is a great time to year to visit the capital city, Edinburgh, as its attractions are much quieter than during the busy summer high season. It’s the perfect time for strolling The Royal Mile, visiting the Edinburgh Castle, taking a “barrel ride” at the Scotch Whisky Experience or even taking day trips to nearby cities like St Andrews. What’s more, you can enjoy the famous Edinburgh Christmas Market and Hogmanay (New Year’s) festivities in December, or visit the city around January 25th to take part in Burns Night events and experience Scottish traditions like Ceilidh dancing.
Want to see more of Scotland on a tour lasting around 1 week? Highlands winter tours are another fabulous option! From Edinburgh, head north and visit castles on the Aberdeenshire Castle Trail, or experience some winter activities in the Cairngorms National Park. As it doesn’t get cold enough for lakes to freeze over, why not experience the mysterious Loch Ness or Loch Lomond on a short boat cruise? Or head further west to the iconic Isle of Skye and see its surreal rock formations like the Old Man of Storr.
CUSTOMISED WINTER TOURS IN SCOTLAND
Nordic Visitor specialises in custom-made travel experiences in Scotland all year-round, so it’s possible to book a privately-guided or self-drive tour in winter and have it tailored to your interests. With a custom private tour in Scotland, you will get the peace of mind of a local expert guide, who will drive you around in a comfortable 4x4 vehicle and tell you all about Scottish history and legends. This is a great option for whisky lovers, travellers with Scottish roots or anyone not comfortable driving on the left.
If you prefer to do the driving in Scotland on your winter vacation, we make it easy for you as all Nordic Visitor self-drive tours include vehicle rentals with free GPS, a hand-marked map of Scotland and two authorised drivers so you can share the driving responsibilities with a travel mate. No matter what kind of trip to Scotland in winter you book, you’ll have your own dedicated travel consultant at Nordic Visitor at your assistance. All of our itineraries can be tailored with extra nights, alternative departures or arrivals in Glasgow, day trips from Edinburgh, and more.
