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

From June onwards, you can expect the weather to be glorious in Scotland. Summer is the warmest time of year, making it an ideal time for a luxury Scottish vacation or hiking trip. As daylight hours increase, there will be plenty of chances to get out and about. Whilst the months of July and August can be extremely busy with tourism, June still holds a few moments of quiet before the main crowds arrive. Here are some of the best things to do when you arrive.

Golfing season is in full swing by now, with most of Scotland’s clubs open from April to October (and others staying open all year round). With the promise of dry weather, clear skies and long hours of sunshine, the views by the coast will be spellbinding. Some of the best golf courses to check out include North Berwick Golf Club in East Lothian, the world-famous Muirfield, the renowned St. Andrews Old Course, Royal Dornoch, and Traigh Golf Course in Arisaig.  We’ve written in more detail about our 11 favorite golf courses in East Lothian.

Travelling further north, there are many beautiful, Highland courses to play on such as Royal Dornoch, Golspie Golf Club and Brora Golf Club.

High season rates will apply at this time, but visitors will benefit from courses that are still relatively quiet compared to the peak summer months.

Some of the country’s top festivals and events take place in June. Stay in the capital for the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival, the Gardening Scotland Festival, the Juniper Gin Festival, Edinburgh International Film Festival, and The Great Scottish Walk & Run Festival.

Or explore the charming city of Glasgow for the Festival of Wine, Glasgow International Jazz Festival, the West End Festival, and the unmissable Glasgow Rum Festival. If you’re here for the whisky though, make sure you head to the Islay Festival of Music and Malt.

For the more literary of you there is the fabulous Borders Book Festival which takes place from 13th-16th June in the very picturesque town of Melrose in the Scottish Borders.  From small beginnings in 2004 when the first Borders Book Festival took place, it has grown significantly in size and success and in 2018, there were 30,000 visitors.

One-day hikes are a great way of discovering the Scottish Highlands, whilst still leaving yourself enough time for food, wine and relaxation. Ben Alligin in Torridon, known as the “Jewel Mountain”, is an excellent day hike stretching 10km and boasting gorgeous views from the top. There’s also the world-famous Ben Nevis, which is the tallest peak in the UK, and can be completed in one day.

For coastal scenery, catch a ferry across to the Orkney archipelago and take in the red sandstone sea stacks on the Old Man of Hoy.

In the Scottish Borders there are the three Eildon Hills to walk up in a day.  Situated in the stunning borders countryside, each of the Eildons provide spectacular views across the country and are a great challenge for a day trek with ample spots for photo opportunities and picnics.

Scotland is famous for having many castles all over the country.  For history lovers and those perhaps seeking out their Scottish heritage, there are fascinating discoveries to be made.  Many of these castles have been painstakingly restored to very high standards and are now available to hire out to stay in for exclusive use for families and groups of friends.  Loyd & Townsend Rose specialize in organizing vacations staying in these fabulous castles.  Other Scottish castles are open to the public to visit on day trips and provide lots of information on the history of the particular castle and area.

Castles are a great idea all year round, but in summer the grounds will be lush, green and perfect for walking. Two of our favorite castle stays are Aldourie Castle perched on Loch Ness and the truly atmospheric Borthwick Castle in Midlothian. All of these castles offer fun activities on their grounds, such as hiking, golfing, archery, shooting, or whisky tastings.

Some of the best Scottish castles to visit on a day trip are Edinburgh Castle, Culzean Castle & Country Park, and Stirling Castle which is home to the William Wallace monument.