SCOTLAND IN AUGUST – THE BEST THINGS TO SEE AND DO

Scottish weather is famously unpredictable and rain showers can happen at any moment. But with an average temperature range of 12°C (53°F) to 19°C (66°F), August is the most pleasant time to go to Scotland on vacation.  From sightseeing, visits to historic castles and road trips along the spectacular coastline or up into the Scottish Highlands, the summer really brings the country to life.  Here are the best things to see and do whilst you’re here.

With long periods of dusk in the north, this is a great time to experience evening hikes in the hills. Head to Loch Affric and Glen Affric in the Highlands for the most incredible views after sundown. Pick a night that’s clear, warm and settled and follow good foot paths to stay safe. Bring a head torch and warm layers as the temperature can drop dramatically at night.

Another excellent route for walking at dusk is the Ness Islands Walk, with notable stops such as Whin Park and St. Andrew’s Cathedral.

Read more about the best walks in Scotland here.

Lerwick, the main port of the Shetland Islands, has around four more hours of daylight than the rest of the country. Located in the far north, it’s the perfect place to spot the Northern Lights if skies are clear. The end of July / early August, sunsets are as late as 9:30pm and twilight can last until sunrise. For a midnight golf session, go to Shetland Golf Club – this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and ideal for group golfing vacations.

There’s no better time to guzzle an ice cold beer than the hottest time of year in Scotland. The Trossachs Beer Festival takes place from late August and brings 160+ Scottish real ales from the Scottish Real Ale Shop for visitors to sample. As well as traditional beer, there’ll be live folk music and plenty of great food.

Earlier on in the month, there’s also the Foodies Festival in Edinburgh which is a great mix of food and drink.

Read more about the best food festivals in the UK here.

Scotland is known for its whiskey, not its gin. But the country’s gin production is growing each year, and summer is the best time to taste this refreshing drink. There’s a plethora of Scottish gin producers and many of them have opened their doors to the public, inviting them in for tours and tastings.

Some of the best distilleries to visit this summer are Shetland Reel in Anderbrae, Isle of Harris Distillery in Tarbert, Eden Mill in St. Andrews, Edinburgh Gin in the capital, and Lilliard Gin in Jedburgh.

Make your vacation complete with a tour of Scotland’s best lochs, the beautiful bodies of water that the country is known for. Loch Lomond is a popular destination, offering pedal boat, sail boat, fishing boat, self-drive motorboat and speedboat hire to families, groups or couples. Or to hunt down the mythical beast, spend the day sailing on Loch Ness. There are also plenty of watersports you can enjoy.