Enjoy the peace and quiet while travelling cheaply
Those of you travelling to Scotland in winter will find inexpensive travel options, such as the ferry from Amsterdam to Newcastle, as well as some hotel bargains (e.g. in Edinburgh). The tourist highlights are also pleasantly empty in the winter months.
Pure culture: time for a museum
Scotland has plenty of cultural highlights to offer. The Scottish capital Edinburgh is particularly well suited for a museum visit, with numerous museums (e.g. the National Museum of Scotland, churches, Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile with many interesting exhibitions. Tip: In Edinburgh, many museums are open free of charge in winter.
Winter wonderland in the Highlands
How about an atmospheric winter walk in Scotland's breath-taking landscapes? When the temperatures drop, the Scottish landscapes are particularly impressive. How about a winter walk around the freshwater loch Loch Morlich, for example? From here you have a great view of the northern Cairngorms, which are particularly impressive in winter. Or would you prefer a city walk through Scotland's cities in their winter splendour? Then it's worth climbing Carlton Hill, a volcanic rock and the city's most striking elevation. From here you can enjoy a magnificent view over the wintry city, especially at sunset.
Skiing in the Highlands
Did you know that the ski resorts in Scotland offer the best skiing and snowboarding conditions in the UK? They are surrounded by the breath-taking scenery of the Highlands and offer both beginners and experienced skiers and snowboarders a great opportunity to explore the great outdoors on skis or a snowboard.
Scottish pubs - ‘the second living room of the Scots’
If you want to end a winter's day in Scotland in a cosy atmosphere, you will find it in the many Scottish pubs with rustic furnishings and traditional music as well as a large selection of beers and whisky. There are also more than 100 distilleries in Scotland that are still in operation and will give you a warm welcome. You don't have to be a whisky expert to enjoy a good drop. Tip: In Edinburgh, there is an authentic Scottish pub on almost every corner. The pubs on the Grassmarket are particularly popular.
Delicious feasting by the fireside
At the end of a day of sightseeing or mountain hiking, there's nothing better than a cosy pub. Sit by the fire with a pint of real ale from the barrel and let the locals welcome you. You'll have the opportunity to sample delicious seasonal Scottish produce such as fresh vegetables and game dishes. A Scotch whisky will certainly warm you up in winter! On the so-called Malt Whisky Trail, you can visit the various distilleries of Speyside and, of course, take part in a tasting. You will also find some of the cosiest whisky bars in Scotland!
Admire the Northern Lights
Yes, you can also marvel at the Northern Lights in Scotland! You won't be able to stop marvelling when the aurora borealis (‘Mirrie Dancers’), as the Scots call them, appear in the night sky.
The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, can be seen most often on Orkney, Shetland and in the northern Highlands. But even further south, near Edinburgh, Dundee and Loch Lomond, the chances are good.
One particular attraction is the Dark Sky Park in Galloway Forest Park in the south of Scotland. Here you have the opportunity to see over 7,000 stars and planets with the naked eye from the Forest Park and even the Milky Way can usually be seen. The so-called Dark Sky Discovery Points are dotted all over the Highlands!
Good to know: Temperatures in winter in Scotland
In terms of seasons, Scotland is characterised by cool summers and mild winters. The Gulf Stream ensures that temperatures hardly fall below freezing even in winter. Scotland therefore has a fairly temperate climate even in winter. January and February are usually the coldest months, but even then the maximum temperatures during the day are between 5°C and 7°C - considerably warmer than in other countries at the same latitude, such as Stavanger in Norway.
