SCOTLAND IN MAY – HERE’S WHAT TO SEE AND DO

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. It’s nearing the end of spring and the start of summer, so there’ll 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 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.

See the city’s biggest floral display at the Royal Botanic Garden. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Whiski Rooms on North Bank Street are lovely little tasting venues.