Scotland’s high season typically lasts from April to October in line with the warmest temperatures as well as the longest daylight hours.
Scotland has lots to offer beyond this time and during the winter months you will experience a different side to Scotland that I know you will find very satisfying. The hills are not in hibernation as the gorgeous scenery and views continue.
In winter, we alter our routines and ways of living. We wear woolly hats and sweaters and spend more time reading books, going out for hearty meals and meeting friends in cosy pubs. We take a walk outside during winter walks through a landscape that is often covered in winter snow, or even frost. Although the trees are not covered and there is no view for a long time, there are still views that are covered by trees in summer.
Once back indoors there is an euphoria while we sit around the fire and get warm again, sinking into an incredibly comfortable couch with satisfaction being outdoors and at ease. Include a hot cup of tea or a warm wee whisky to the mix and what more could you want for your next holiday?
Discover the reasons below. an Winter Escape in Scotland should be on your bucket list!
More People
When it’s not peak season you’ll be able to avoid the crowds and enjoy Scotland’s incredible landscapes all to you.
There are less people, but more space, and the sense of having a world that is all yours.
Luxurious Accommodations
In the summer, many luxury accommodations raise their prices to meet the increasing demand. When it is winter, the prices to stay in the most luxurious hotels can be considerably favorable.
It is possible to enjoy an evening in a castle-themed hotel and sleep safely guarded from the elements by the walls of stone that are adorned with hundreds of years of history. Castles offer a maze of rooms that you can explore, and taking in their delights while enjoying their decadence can be the highlight of an entire vacation.
In the evenings, maybe you’ll stumble across the reading room or library to take a break and relax in the lavish surroundings.
For holiday lodges Scotland, check out Onnela Lodge.
Escapism & Relaxation
The quieter season of the year can be the best opportunity to escape and shut out from the chaos of our daily lives. The dark winter nights make busy minds to slow down, and busy people to stay still and relax.
The winter holidays are more leisure time, and you’ll likely finish all outdoor activities before 4pm and then have the entire night ahead to go through the book you’ve been thinking about reading or enjoy a leisurely meal.
There is enough time in the day to get caught up and let go of the feeling that you must always be doing something.
A warm-up Food & Drink
One thing you can’t escape is the fact the winter months are cold. A regular break is compulsory in order to refuel and reheat. What an opportunity to constantly visit cute cafes and picturesque pubs!
A large portion of our Scottish cuisine is derived from the necessity of keeping warm with large portion sizes and lots of carbohydrates. Just think of Scotch broth, roast meats and pies haggis neeps, tatties and haggis cullen skink, a warming curry, root vegetable stew or the Scot’s love of a bowl of chips. My grandmother has the same bowl of soup every day in winter. And soup made by an Scottish granny is always the most delicious!
In the winter evening I would suggest eating an incredibly warm pie with vegetables and roast potatoes, followed by the large serving of hot sticky toffee pudding!
Our whisky-based national drink has a new meaning in winter, warming cold nights in warm bars surrounded by friends or enjoying a night at home by the fire.
Get a Feel for Everyday Life
Fewer tourists means that you are more likely to meet locals during your holiday. Bars, restaurants, and accommodations tend to be filled with local people having an evening out, rather than tourists. This gives you an understanding of modern Scottish society and how they are living their daily lives.
Maybe you’ll even have the chance to blether (chat) with some helpful locals.
Embrace the Weather
It is more likely to rain less in winter than at other times of the year and temperatures generally stay at or above 0°C, unlike other locations in Europe. As with the rest of the year, you are likely to experience a variety of weather in one day but with recent addition of gorgeous frost and snow in the mix.
A misty and autumnal Glencoe is one of my favourite views in Scotland, while my favourite kind of Scottish day is one that is freezing cold but brilliantly sunny with blue skies. Imagine a gorgeous castle framed by snow-capped mountains on a sunny day. The opportunities for photography are infinite!
If you’re dressed in the right clothes, heading out is possible regardless of the conditions. If you are an experienced winter walker, a stroll along the snowy mountain ranges will be unforgettable!
Discover Indoor Activities
Did you know that the majority of Scotland’s art and museum galleries are free and open to the public? These offer the perfect space to stay indoors during bad weather and learn something new.
This includes the huge National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh and the impressive Kelvingrove Art Gallery as well as the Kelvingrove Art Gallery Museum situated in Glasgow. You can visit for 15 minutes or an entire day to get shelter from the cold!
Winter Events
As if all this wasn’t enough, there’s a myriad of exciting events and festivals that occur in Scotland in the off-season.
Beginning at the end of November until the start of January there are Christmas markets in every Scottish city, including the most stunning one in Edinburgh where you can take a ride on the Ferris wheel that is massive or buy gifts from festively decorated stands, and get cozy with mulled wine.
As the evenings get to their darkest, it is time to light up our cities with thousands of lights that illuminate streets and buildings.
Hogmanay (New New Year’s Eve) is very important in Scotland and you can find massive celebrations all over the country.
There are numerous other significant events that are celebrated in these months , including Guy Fawkes Night on the 5th November, St Andrew’s Day on the 30th November, and Burns Night on the 25th January.
Celtic Connections is a two-week long music festival of international artists taking to Glasgow in January. The Up Helly Aa is the famous Viking festival that takes place in The Shetland Isles. Burns and Beyond is a celebration of Burns Night and modern Scotland by hosting a number of events at Edinburgh beginning in the month of January. There’s plenty to select from!
The Night Sky
Then, venture into the rural Scotland in the evening, clear as night to feast your eyes on thousands and thousands of stars shining down upon you. I could look at our skies for hours and the stars will provide a every night for all to take in.
Top Tips for the perfect Scottish Winter Escape
Bear in mind the limited hours of daylight
Check the forecast for the weather and plan your schedule as you go.
If you are driving through rural areas be aware of winter driving practices
Get a great, waterproof coat and cover yourself warmly
Check the opening hours of any attraction prior to their opening as they may be shorter or less
The most important thing is to bring your camera!