Plan your Scotland trip based on what you want to do, see, and avoid.
If we had to choose, that would probably be spring.
April to May is a shoulder season that sees fewer crowds, less rain, and pleasant temperatures.
Travelers would be especially smart to avoid major tourist areas in the busy summer months.
More often than not, it’s drizzly and a little dreary.
Temperatures are highest in the summer, but weather can be fair in the springtime, too.
Temperatures are similar in the fall, a season that’s also known for stunning foliage.
If you want to save money, book your trip in the low season, from November to March.
One exception to this rule, though, is the period directly surrounding the winter holidays.
The capital’s summer temperatures rarely surpass 70 degrees, so traversing the hilly city is usually pleasant.
Celebrations of New Year’s Eve calledHogmanayby the Scots are particularly raucous.
In Edinburgh, Hogmanay festivities draw more than 40,000 visitors every year.
To avoid the midges, book your trip to Scotland between late September and early May.
The high prices that accompany this busy season can be another dissuading factor.
If your main goal is optimal weather, meanwhile, the winter months should be avoided.
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