Scotland in July: High Season Travel Tips
Scotland in July has unpredictable weather conditions. Mostly, the days are warm and long but ever-existing rainclouds can trigger spontaneous showers. Nonetheless, this is still a good time of year to stroll the exquisite beaches on Saint Ninian’s Isle, sail across the west Scottish coastline, take in the awe-inspiring sceneries of its Highlands or drive across the lush spread of the rolling Lowlands to experience the best of Scotland.
Scotland Weather in July
Planning a trip to Scotland in July can be tricky, given unpredictable weather conditions across the country. Days are mild and pleasant when the sun is out, with highs averaging around 19°C and lows at 11°C. Northern Scotland, comprising the Highlands, Orkney, Shetland, and the Outer Hebrides Islands, is a tad bit cooler with a maximum high of 16°C and a minimum of 9°C. However, rain is quite frequent across the country in July. Western Scotland is the rainiest of all the regions, with 115 mm of rainfall during this month.
To know how the country fares during the rest of the year, check out our guide on the best time to visit Scotland.
Weather in Scotland in July - Rainfall and Temperatures
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Daily (°C) | 5 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 13 | 9 | 7 |
| Avg Nightly (°C) | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 3 | 2 |
| Avg Daily (°F) | 41 | 42.8 | 48.2 | 51.8 | 57.2 | 62.6 | 66.2 | 66.2 | 60.8 | 55.4 | 48.2 | 44.6 |
| Avg Nightly (°F) | 33.8 | 33.8 | 35.6 | 37.4 | 42.8 | 48.2 | 51.8 | 51.8 | 48.2 | 44.6 | 37.4 | 35.6 |
| Avg Rainfall (mm) | 70 | 50 | 70 | 40 | 50 | 60 | 70 | 50 | 70 | 80 | 70 | 70 |
Why Visit Scotland in July
The arrival of summer in June marks the beginning of the high tourist season in Scotland and this continues all the way till August. But all the crowd, cost, midges, and moisture are incapable of dampening the dazzle of Scotland in July. Let us take a look at why you should visit the country during this time of year.
- Long days: Given Scotland’s latitude and polar proximity, you should expect daylight to last as long as 16 to 17 hours every day during this time of year. Experience a round of midnight golf in the golfing courses of Shetland or Orkney, which receive as much as 19 hours of daylight.
- Festivals: Learn more about Celtic heritage during the HebCelt Festival that takes place every year on the Lew's Castle Ground in Stornoway. Presenting a mix of Celtic music and a variety of other musical genres, this international Scottish music festival is a unique event in the Outer Hebrides. Another isle in this same island chain, Benbecula, hosts the Eilean Dorcha Festival (EDF in short), which has live musical lineups as well as handicrafts from the region.
- Activities galore: From rugged coastlines to a scenic heartland, the country opens up in all its summer splendor in July. Go castle-hopping in Edinburgh or visit the 17th-century fortress in Braemar in the Cairngorms. Step back in time as you dip your feet in the mysterious water of the Lochs of Harray and Stenness in Orkney or go wildlife-watching in Loch Maree in the Scottish Highlands.
Where to go and what to do
Scotland is full of exciting activities. Whether you like hiking or bicycling, chasing history, or just enjoying a nature walk, you will get plenty of opportunities to indulge your senses during a trip to Scotland in July.
Enjoy the serenity of Outer Herbrides’s Tolsta Beach. Have your picnic lunch in this hidden cove as a salty sea breeze keeps you company. Unleash your adrenaline in the country’s great outdoors. Beginner hikers can plan a stint in Glencoe Lochan in the Highlands or a hiking day trip in Goat Fell on the Isle of Arran. Bag a Munro if you want to put your hiking boots to test or climb Ben Nevis, the UK's tallest mountain.
Switch your walking boots with dancing shoes as you enjoy music concerts at the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival. The waters around Shetland are abuzz with orcas, so a wildlife cruise is a must to see these denizens of deep. Go seal-spotting in Moray Firth and see around 1,300 of these cute creatures lolling around on the sandbank. History buffs can do a road quest from Aberdeen to Inverness, while thrill chasers can take on the Galloway Tourist Route from Ayr to Gretna via Dumfries.
Decoding Scottish summer can be challenging. But you can make the most of your visit to Scotland by checking with the weatherman to create your plans. July shows the traits of a classic Scottish summer where sunny outdoors are engulfed by dense rain clouds with no warning. So keep layers handy and make sure that you carry some waterproof light jackets and boots to keep dry. An umbrella will come in handy if there is a sudden shower.
If you are not sure about planning a suitable Scottish itinerary, you can get in touch with our local travel experts. They can help create a customized trip to Scotland adhering to all your requirements amid tricky July conditions. For more information, you can check out our article on how many days to spend in Scotland, or browse through our Scotland trips in July.
Other articles:
Scotland in June
Scotland in August
