The month of May is a wonderful time to visit Scotland, with temperatures reaching a comfortable 13-15°C and flowers in full bloom by now.  The days are still getting longer as they stretch into warmer evenings.  It’s nearing the end of spring and the start of summer, so there should be good weather without the busy holiday crowds.  The grand historic Scottish castles are just coming into their element with the gardens and grounds coming alive with color and so if you are looking to do a garden tour, it is a perfect time to visit.  Here are just a few of the other things to see and do for the perfect May time Scottish vacation.

The weather in May in Scotland is generally quite mild during the day, with temperatures averaging between 13-17 degrees and cooler nights.  On average, May has approximately 15-16 days with some rain but often May can be quite dry, and so with the longer days and milder weather, this can make it the ideal time of year for hiking.  Although, it is important to be prepared as Scotland has notoriously changeable weather and it can become chilly and wet very quickly.   It is important to mention the good old Scottish Midge, and generally in May, there are not many about until towards the end of the month.

What to pack?

• Layers: Pack layers of clothing that can be taken on and off easily because of the changing temperatures and it can get windy.
• Waterproofs:  Although May is one of the dryer months, it is important to have a waterproof jacket in case of rain.  Waterproof trousers are useful if you are going hiking.
• Footwear:  Good sturdy shoes are a must for exploring cities, castles and gardens and waterproof hiking boots are essential if you are planning more adventurous exploring.

There is a great mix of fun festivals in Scotland in May showcasing music, whisky and cultural events.  May is in fact Whisky Month celebrating the ‘water of life’ with various special events and whisky festivals held across Scotland.  Some of the best festivals and events in May are:

Festivals & Events

Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival

This festival runs for 6 days in early May and includes distillery tours and tastings as well as musical performances.

Shetland Folk Festival

The UK’s most northerly folk festival runs for 4 days in early May.  It is a huge community festival that celebrates a wonderful mix of International, Scottish and Shetland music.  It is also a place to discover emerging talent.

Edinburgh TradFest

For 11 days at the beginning of May, this exciting music festivals showcases the very best traditional music from Scotland and other parts of the world.

Arran Mountain Festival

This is Scotland’s premier hillwalking and mountaineering festival and runs for 4 days in May.  A perfect opportunity for those outdoor lovers to enjoy guided walks, runs and scrambles all over the Isle of Arran.  There are knowledgeable local leaders and experienced guides to help you explore all that the island has to offer.

Experience Perth Festival of the Arts

This ten day extravaganza takes place every year in May, and is a fantastic celebration of local, national and international artists and performers. Taking place across Perth Theatre, Perth Concert Hall and other top venues in the city, there’s always something exciting going on during the festival. Concerts, choirs, orchestras and folk theatre are just some of the top highlights.

Holidays

There are two bank holidays in May which fall on a Monday allowing for a long weekend.  The first one usually falls after the first weekend in May is known as the Early May Bank Holiday and the second one usually falls on the Monday after the last weekend in May and is known as the Spring Bank Holiday.

The Royal Botanic Garden

See the city’s biggest floral display at the Royal Botanic Garden. With over 70 acres of stunning landscape and only a mile north of Edinburgh’s City Centre, the Garden is easily accessible.  An unforgettable experience in every season, May is a wonderful time to visit as the Rhododendron Collection is in peak bloom and flowers and plants will be out in all their splendour.

On site, you will find six spectacular areas, each dedicated to different plant and flower species from around the world. The Arboretum houses more than 730 species of trees, the Rock Garden boasts a great vantage point with views of the Edinburgh skyline, and the Chinese Hillside is one of the largest collections of Chinese plants outside of China.

Inverewe Gardens

Where the Gulf Stream meets the Highlands, Inverewe is a lochside garden where rare species thrive.  Visitors can meander through this remote garden discovering unusual and wonderful plants along the way.  There are species from all over the world and the garden has been created as a labour of love from a barren wilderness.  For avid wildlife spotters, you will get the chance to look for red squirrel, red deer, seals, otters and golden eagles.

Isle of Skye

With the weather being milder and the longer days, it is a perfect opportunity to visit the Isle of Skye before the roads become crowded with tourists in the summer months.  May is a great time of year to hike the Quiraing or Old Man of Storr and to enjoy the beautiful spring scenery.

Visit Historic Scottish Castles

Scotland is famous for it’s historic castles and many of them are open to the public to explore and learn all about their history.  Some of them are still lived in by the same families that have owned them for generations and others have fallen into disrepair but still hold an appealing lure to those interested in history and folklore.

Edinburgh Castle

One of the most exciting historical sites in Western Europe and one of the best known Scottish castles is Edinburgh Castle and well worth a visit if you have time in Edinburgh.  Every day at 1.00 pm the gun is fired from the battlements, so regular that you can set your watch by it as indeed the ships in the Firth of Forth used to do.  There is a fabulous exhibition in the castle telling the dramatic story of Edinburgh Castle during the Wars of Independence.

Dunrobin Castle

Dunrobin Castle is one of Britain’s oldest continuously inhabited castles and is extremely large with 189 rooms.  Still lived in by the same family for the last 700 years, it is definitely worth a visit if you are in the Highlands.   Visitors can tour the state rooms on the first floor as well as visiting the smaller rooms in the older part of the castle.  There is a formal garden to enjoy and a Victorian museum.

Explore the Highlands

As spring moves into summer, the Highland landscape is vibrant with young, fresh grass and the beautiful wildflowers that carpet the hills and glens.  You can explore the Highlands either by car or by hiking on foot.  A roadtrip up through Scotland gives flexibility to go to west coast and explore the coastline as well as taking a ferry over to the Hebridean islands which offer such a variety of landscape and in some cases, true wilderness.  Hiking on foot in the Highlands will give you the chance to be close to nature and experience a physical challenge at the same time.  Glen Affric and Glencoe are always popular places to visit.

Walk the Fife Coastal Path

Hikers enjoy this coastal route throughout the year, but the best time to do it is when the weather is dry. May is considered to be one of the driest months, making it ideal for a coastal walking adventure. Experienced walkers may wish to take on the entire trail from the Firth of Forth in the south, to the Firth of Tay in the north (117 miles). But it’s just as fun to tackle sections of this path. For instance, the Kincardine to Limekilns section will take around 4-5 hours, Burntisland to Buckhaven will take 5-6 hours, while Leuchars to Wormit Bay can be 7 hours or more.

Walk around Pollok Country Park

Pollok Country Park, located in south Glasgow, is one of the finest parks to take the whole family. For a warm and dry day in May, it’s the perfect day out. Get a feeling of being out in the countryside without having the leave the city. From spotting Highland cattle and wandering in the woodlands to taking an orienteering course or enjoying a picnic by the riverside, there’s something for all ages.

Enjoy a Cruise on Loch Lomond

Summer will get busy for the famous lochs, but in May you can avoid the tourist crowds. Cruising Loch Lomond when the weather is nice is a brilliant way of discovering all its hidden islands, and learning about the Loch’s abundance of wildlife and rich history. There are 2 hour circular cruises starting from around £20 per adult.

Do a Foodie Walking Tour in Edinburgh

May is the perfect month for a walking tour, as it’s not too hot and not to cold. A food walking tour is a great way of tasting the very best of the city in a short space of time. Whether you decide to book a guided experience, or you embark on a self-guided culinary adventure, be sure to squeeze in some whiskey tastings along the way. The Scotch Whisky Experience on the Royal Mile or the cozy Whisky Rooms on North Bank Street are lovely little tasting venues.