9 Ideas for a Perfect Winter Break in the Highlands
- Ski across snowy mountains.
- Gaze up at the wonderful dark skies.
- Clear your mind on a refreshing winter walk.
- Get ready for unforgettable winter adventures.
- Spot incredible winter wildlife.
- Marvel at snow castles and ancient mysteries.
- Cosy up by the fire in a luxury retreat.
Can you visit the Highlands in winter?
Winter is a great time to experience the Highlands’ spectacular coastline. Venture north and breathe in the crisp winter air and witness crashing white horses from Caithness & Sutherland’s dramatic clifftops or take a relaxing stroll on the sandy beaches of Nairn.
Is it worth visiting Scotland in winter?
Is it worth travelling to Scotland in winter? Absolutely! There are so many reasons why travelling to Scotland in the offseason is a good idea – it’s cheaper, less crowded and the snow-capped peaks of the Highlands are breathtaking.
Where should I go in winter in Scotland?
14 Best Places to Visit in Scotland in Winter
- Edinburgh. Edinburgh Castle dusted with snow.
- Inverness. Inverness Castle on a winter’s day.
- Glasgow. Glasgow in the winter.
- Fort William. Aerial view of Fort William.
- Ben Nevis. Snowcapped Ben Nevis.
- Isle of Skye.
- Cairngorms National Park.
- Loch Leven.
What is there to do in Inverness Scotland in the winter?
Snow sports
The magnificent Cairngorm Mountains are only a 30-minute drive from Inverness. Here, you can easily access a range of thrilling winter snow sports, including skiing and snowboarding. Enjoy skiing and snowboarding in the snowy Cairngorm Mountains.
When can you see the northern lights in the Highlands?
When are you most likely to see the northern lights in Scotland? The auroras are most likely to be seen in Scotland between mid-October and mid-March, and for best chances you want to avoid any times where there is going to be a full moon.
Can you see the northern lights in the Highlands?
Where to spot them in Scotland? While the northern reaches of Scotland offer better chances of spotting the ‘Mirrie Dancers’, the aurora can be seen anywhere in Scotland when the right conditions are met and where the light pollution is at a minimum.
What is winter like in Scottish Highlands?
December, January and February are generally the coldest months in Scotland, with the average maximum temperature usually around 5°C (41°F). The average number of days with snow falling in Scotland ranges from 15 to 20 days. However, the peaks and mountains of the Highlands experience around 100 days of falling snow.
What is the cheapest month to go to Scotland?
The cheapest time to travel to Scotland is off season: November 1 to December 12 and December 26 to March 14. In the past few years, airlines have been offering irresistible fares during these periods. And weekday flights are cheaper than weekend fares, often by 10% or more.
What do people wear in Scotland in winter?
Here’s what to pack for Scotland in winter.
- A pair of comfy (and waterproof) boots.
- A cosy scarf or shawl.
- A lightweight rain jacket.
- A fleece top.
- A warm beanie.
- Thermal tights or leggings.
- Thick gloves.
- Waterproof and anti-theft travel bag.
What is the most beautiful part of the Scottish Highlands?
10 Awesomely Beautiful Places to See in the Scottish Highlands
- Ben Nevis.
- Glen Coe. Glen Coe is Scotland’s most famous, and most romantic glen.
- Cairngorms.
- Loch Ness.
- Isle of Skye.
- Loch Sunart.
- The Trossachs.
- Ullapool.
What is the coldest town in Scotland?
Dalwhinnie sits at an altitude of 351 m (1,152 ft). It is one of the coldest villages in the UK, having an average annual temperature of 6.6 °C (43.9 °F), making it suitable for winter walking and mountaineering.
Where is the most Christmassy place in Scotland?
Best Christmas Places in Scotland’s eight cities
- Edinburgh. Edinburgh’s Christmas markets © George Clerk.
- Glasgow. Glasgow at Christmas time © VisitScotland / Kenny Lam.
- Aberdeen. Union Terrace Gardens, Aberdeen.
- Dundee. Christmas market at Slessor Gardens, by Dundee’s waterfront.
- Perth.
- Inverness.
- Stirling.
Can you see the northern lights in Inverness?
If you’re visiting Inverness, your best chance to see the Northern Lights is getting slightly outside the city on a clear night. You could try driving up to Findhorn or Nairn, where you’ll have good views far ahead over the sea. Getting anywhere with a bit more elevation is also a good idea.
Why is Inverness called the Black Isle?
Despite the name, the Black Isle is neither an island or black. The colour in the name originates from the fact that it was once covered in dark, dense woodland, whilst the “isle” is because it is sandwiched between two large bodies of water, so access in times gone past would have been almost like visiting and island.
What is the coldest month in Inverness?
January
Average Temperature in Inverness
The cold season lasts for 3.8 months, from November 19 to March 11, with an average daily high temperature below 46°F. The coldest month of the year in Inverness is January, with an average low of 32°F and high of 42°F.
Is 2022 a good year to see the Northern Lights?
“There will continue to be aurora viewing opportunities in 2022,” Steenburgh said. “The solar cycle is indeed ramping up and as solar activity increases, so do the chances for Earth-directed blobs of plasma, the coronal mass ejections, which drive the geomagnetic storms and aurora.”
Can you still see the Northern Lights when it snows?
When snow is falling there are small chances of seeing the aurora (although it is there above the clouds). But snow on the ground does conflict with aurora. In any case there may be snowfall for some hours and clear sky for some hours during the same day, this is very unpredictable along the coast.
Where can I see the Northern Lights in Scotland in 2022?
Top spots include Shetland, Orkney, Outer Hebrides, Caithness, Aberdeenshire, the Moray Coast, Rubna Hunish Skye, and also far northwest observatories like Applecross, Lochinver, Cairngorms, Angus, the Fife Coast, Rannoch Moor, and Perthshire.
Can you look directly at northern lights?
Yes. However, the color is different from what you see in the pictures. It is always less flashy, and when the lights are weak, it is possible that no colors will be seen at all. Bright color only happen during a strong auroral event, and even then it is not as neon-colored as on the pictures.
Do you need a car in Scotland?
Travelling in Scotland without a car is certainly doable, but you need to make sure you know exactly what your public transport options are, where you’ll be heading each day, and how long you can expect to take to get there.