Scotland’s high season generally is from April until October. This coincides with the warmest temperatures as well as the longest daylight hours.
Scotland has many things to offer beyond this time and during autumn and winter, you get to experience a different side to Scotland that I am sure you’ll be pleasantly surprised. The hills don’t hibernate and the breathtaking landscapes and views remain.
In winter, we alter our habits and lifestyles. We adorn woolly hats and jackets, and spend more time with books, heading out for hearty meals and catching up with friends in cozy pubs. We take a walk outside during winter walks in a landscape that is often covered in the snow or frost. While the trees are not in bloom and there is no view for a long time, there are still views that are blocked by trees in summer.
After returning to the inside, there is the feeling of peace sitting by the fire and begin to warm again, sinking into an incredibly comfortable couch with a feeling of satisfaction of being outside, and ready to be snug. You can add a hot drink or a warm wee whisky into the mix and what more could you possibly want for your next holiday?
Find out why you should consider a Winter Escape in Scotland should be to your travel bucketlist!
Fewer People
When it’s not peak season it is possible to get away from the crowds and enjoy Scotland’s amazing landscapes to yourself.
There are fewer people, more space and a feeling of having an entire world yours.
Luxurious Accommodations
In the summer there are many luxurious hotels that increase their prices in response to the increasing demand. In winter, rates for staying in amazing holiday lodges Scotland can be much more favorable.
You can indulge in the luxury of a stay in a castle hotel , and be protected from the harsh winter weather by stone walls wreathed in centuries of time. Castles are a maze of rooms that you can explore, and exploring their pleasures and their luxury can be the main attraction of a holiday in itself.
In the evenings, perhaps you will find the library or drawing room to take a break and relax in the lavish surroundings.
Escapism & Relaxation
Being able to travel at a more peaceful time of the year provides the perfect chance to unwind and slow out from the chaos of our daily lives. The dark evenings force the minds of busy people to slow down and busy minds to be at a solitary place and relax.
A winter holiday can be enjoyed at an ebb and flow, where you’ll likely finish your outdoor activities before 4 pm and have the whole evening ahead to read that book you’ve been meaning to get to, or have a long lazy dinner.
There is enough time in the day to catch up with yourself and let go of the feeling that you’re always doing something.
A warm-up Food & Drink
One thing you can’t get around is it is winter cold. A regular break is mandatory to recharge and reheat. It’s a wonderful opportunity to go to charming cafes and beautiful pubs!
A large portion of our Scottish cuisine is derived from the need to stay warm with big portions and lots of carbohydrates. You can think of Scotch broth roast meats and pies haggis neeps and tarts cullen skink and a hearty curry root vegetable stew or the Scot’s passion for chip and chips. My grandmother has an entire bowl of soup each day during winter, and soup from the hands of a Scottish grandmother is always the most delicious!
In the winter evening I would recommend a meal of an inviting pie with vegetables and roast potatoes. This is followed by the large serving of hot sticky toffee pudding!
Whisky, our nation’s drink takes on a new life in winter, fuelling the cold winter nights in cozy bars with friends or enjoying a night at home by the fire.
Take a look at the Everyday Life
The fact that there are fewer tourists means that it is more likely that you will be able to interact with locals during your stay. Restaurants, hotels and bars tend to be crowded with locals having a night away, rather than tourists. This gives you an insight into modern Scottish culture and the way people live their regular, everyday lives.
Perhaps you’ll get the chance to chat (chat) with some friendly locals.
Take advantage of the weather
The amount of rain is usually lower during winter than other time of the year. Also, the temperature generally stays well over 0 degrees Celsius, which is unlike most regions in Europe. Similar to the rest of the year, you are likely to experience an array of weather during one day, with new additions of beautiful frost and snow in the mix.
An autumnal misty Glencoe is possibly one of my most favorite places in Scotland as well as my most favourite type of Scottish day is one that is frigid cold, but amazingly sunny with blue skies. Imagine a stunning castle framed by snow-capped mountains on a sunny day. The opportunities for photography are numerous!
If you’re wearing the right clothes, heading outside is possible whatever the weather. If you are an experienced winter walker then a trek across the snowy mountains be unforgettable!
Discover Indoor Activities
Did you know that most of Scotland’s art and museum galleries are free and accessible to everyone? They’re the perfect place to stay indoors during bad conditions and gain a new perspective.
This includes the massive National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh as well as the impressive Kelvingrove Art Gallery along with the Museum located in Glasgow. You can visit for fifteen minutes or for the whole day to get shelter from the cold!
Winter Events
As if this weren’t enough, there’s plenty of exciting events and festivals that occur in Scotland during the winter months.
From November 30th until the beginning of January there are Christmas markets to visit in every Scottish city including the most spectacular one in Edinburgh in which you can enjoy the Ferris wheel that is massive, buy gifts at the beautifully decorated stands, or drink mulled wines to warm yourself.
When the evenings are at their darkest, we light our cities up with thousands of fairy lights lining the streets and structures.
Hogmanay (New Year’s Eve) is an extremely significant event in Scotland and you can expect big celebrations across the country.
There are a variety of important celebrations that take place during these months , including Guy Fawkes Night on the 5th November, St Andrew’s Day on the 30th November, as well as Burns Night on the 25th January.
Celtic Connections is a two-week long music festival of exciting global artists that takes the place of Glasgow at the beginning of January. In the Up Helly Aa is the famous Viking festival held in Scotland’s Shetland Isles. Burns and Beyond is a celebration of Burns Night and modern Scotland with a variety of events that take place in Edinburgh on January. There’s a lot to select from!
The Night Sky
In the end, travel to the countryside of Scotland on a clear night and feast your eyes at the thousands and millions of stars twinkling down on you. I could stare at the night sky for hours, and the stars are a great free evening show for all to delight in.
Top Tips for a Scottish Winter Escape
Bear in mind the limited hours of daylight
Check the forecast for the weather and plan your schedule accordingly
If you are driving through rural areas be aware of winter driving techniques
Buy a high-quality waterproof coat, put on a warm coat
Check the opening hours of any attraction in advance as they could be shorter or less
Most importantly, ensure you have a camera!
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