April - May

The shoulder season begins in earnest in the middle of March, and continues through the end of May. It is generally accepted that the shoulder season comes to a close either the last week of May or the first week in June. Rains begin to taper off a tad in the western part of the country, and daffodils, rhododendrons, and bluebells bloom, dotting the lush green fields. These months are also very popular for golfers who want to enjoy their favorite sport in the country that invented it.

Temperatures begin to warm slightly, and spring is a nice time to visit nearly every corner of Scotland, from the Borders to the Highlands. The Shetland Islands will see temperatures warm into the mid and upper 40s, with lows in the low 40s. Inverness warms quickly into the mid and upper 50s, with lows around 40. Aberdeen`s temperatures average just a couple of degrees behind Inverness. Glasgow starts off April in the low 50s, but warms to near 60 by the end of May. Lows are in the 40s. Edinburgh sees similar conditions, but a tad drier and low temperatures a couple of degrees cooler than Glasgow. The Scottish Borders warm from the low 50s in April to near 60 by the end of May, with lows between 40 and 45.

Holidays and Festivals:

March or April - Good Friday (Public holiday in Aberdeen, Ayr, Dumfries and Galloway, East Dunbartonshire, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Inverclyde, Kilmarnock, Paisley, Stirling, South Lanarkshire, and West Dunbartonshire.)

March or April - Easter Sunday (closures)

March or April - Easter Monday (Public holiday in Ayr, Edinburgh, Falkirk, East Dunbartonshire, Glasgow, Inverclyde, Kilmarnock, North Lanarkshire, Paisley, Stirling, South Lanarkshire, and West Dunbartonshire.)

March, April and May - Golf season in Scotland.

Early April - Inverness Whisky and Gin Festival. Hosted by the Scottish Gin Society, there are multiple whisky and gin tasting opportunities plus many fun fringe events such as live music and dancing.

First Monday in April - Spring Holiday (Public holiday in Carnoustie and Monifieth area, Dundee, Fife, Scottish Borders, Inverness, and Perth.)

Second Monday in April - Spring Holiday (Public holiday in Angus, except Carnoustie and Monifieth area, Elgin)

Third Monday in April - Spring Holiday (Public holiday in Aberdeen.)

Third Monday in April, or preceding week if would otherwise coincide with Easter Monday - Spring Holiday (Public holiday in Edinburgh)

Last Monday in April - Spring Holiday (Public holiday in Inverclyde.)

April 30 - Beltane Fire Festival, Calton Hill, Edinburgh. Beltane is a traditional Gaelic May Day celebration, signifying the beginning of summer. Bonfires are lit and then the ashes are sprinkled on people, animals and crops for good luck and fortune in the summer.

May - Scottish Whisky Month. Johnnie Walker, Dewar`s, Glenlivet and Chivas Regal are some of the better known Scottish whiskys sold in the United States, but Scotland has hundreds of whisky brands ready for you to taste and savor.

May - Edinburgh Marathon

May 1 - May Day, the traditional beginning of summer and, more recently, a celebration of the working class. (some closures)

First Monday in May - May Bank Holiday (Public holiday across Scotland.)

The Tuesday after the first Monday in May - Victoria Day, a celebration of Queen Victoria`s birthday (May 24, 1819). It is celebrated on various days on a city-by-city basis. (Public holiday in Clydebank and Stirling.)

May 12 - Stirling Whisky Festival, where connoisseurs can try over 100 different brands of whisky.

Last Monday strictly before May 24 - Victoria Day (Public holiday in Edinburgh.)

Fourth Monday in May - Victoria Day (Public holiday in Perth.)

Last Monday in May - Victoria Day (Public holiday in Ayr, Dundee, East Dunbartonshire, Glasgow, North Lanarkshire, Paisley, and South Lanarkshire.)

Last Monday in May - Spring Bank Holiday (Public holiday across Scotland.)

Last week in May - Spring Fling, Dumfries and Galloway, the largest `open studio` arts and crafts event in Scotland.