Homepage  >  Holiday Planning  >  When to Visit  >  Summer in Scotland

Summer in Scotland


Summer in Scotland - a time of festivals, Highland Games and stretched-out evenings.  A time to really make the most of the long days and the beautiful scenery by getting active in the great outdoors.

Scottish Summer Holidays

June, July and August are considered high season, with July and the beginning of August peak time due to school holidays.  Accommodation can get booked up quickly for these peak months, particulary in Edinburgh with the Edinburgh Festival in August, so make sure you book in advance.  The summer months are usually mild and warm (although Scottish weather can be quite unpredictable!), with temperatures averaging 18 - 22 degrees C and late sunsets at around 9pm in most places (and as late as 11pm in the North).  Throughout summer (especially on the West Coast and in the Highlands) you will come across midges (tiny biting insects) that love mild, wind-free days. You can, however, take certain measures to Keep Midges at Bay.

Summer Activities

Summer is a great time to enjoy an activity holiday - the lochs and rivers, hills and glens, miles of coastline and secluded beaches are the perfect setting for a range of outdoor activities, such as:

Highland Games

During the summer months there are Highland Games across the country, from local shows to huge clan gatherings.  Why not really get to know Scotland and enjoy the spectacle of traditional dancing and sporting events by staying in a local holiday cottage near Highland Games?

Summer Accommodation

Whether you want to stay in a city centre apartment during the Edinburgh Festival or in a picturesque beach cottage, EmbraceScotland has a selection of self-catering accommodation across the country to help you make the most of your summer holiday.  Take a look at our selection of self-catering for Scottish golf holidays, fishing holidays Scotland, Scottish walking holidays and Adventure Activity Breaks.

If you're planning a visit in early June, why not browse our Jubilee Bank Holiday Breaks?  Or take a look at some great deals for summer holidays Scotland.

Embrace summer with EmbraceScotland - here are 5 ideas for summer holidays in Scotland.


Accommodation Search

Search over 2,500 quality assured properties across Scotland by selecting below:

Arrival Date Nights

 Disabled access
 Pet Friendly
 Green Tourism


 Please choose a region by clicking on the one you want to discover more about Hebrides, Orkney, Shetland Hebrides, Orkney, Shetland Hebrides, Orkney, Shetland  Highlands and Skye  Aberdeen and Grampian  Perthshire, Dundee and Angus Fife and Kinross Argyll, The Isles, Stirlingshire  Edinburgh and the Lothians Glasgow & Clyde Valley  Scottish Borders  Ayrshire and Arran  Dumfries and Galloway