June - July

The high season begins in Scotland with the first and second weeks of June. The temperatures rise close to their yearly peaks (the actual peak will not come until August), and you will find less rain and more daylight hours in these months as well. Students get out of school in Scotland in late June and early July, around the same time as students in the other constituent nations of the United Kingdom. By July, not only will prices for accommodations be at their peak, lines at attractions will also be at their longest, due to the aforementioned students leaving school and families going on vacation in addition to single travelers. The Highland Games, one of the most popular events on the Scottish social calendar, begin in many areas in July. Edinburgh and Glasgow in particular host a number of festivals and events, which only increase in number in August. June and July are also popular fair months in Scotland, as many jurisdictions open up their local fairs, with rides, concessions and entertainment.

Temperatures in the Shetland Islands average in the mid-50s, with lows around 50. Inverness warms into the low and mid 60s, with average lows around 50. Aberdeen sees similar daytime temperatures but low temperatures a few degrees cooler. Glasgow warms into the mid-60s on average, with lows in the low to mid 50s. Edinburgh sees similar daytime temperatures, but like Aberdeen, is a tad cooler in the mornings. The Scottish Borders will be the warmest part of Scotland, with temperatures firmly averaging in the mid-60s and lows in the mid-50s. Note that temperatures can and do rise as much as 10-20 degrees above these averages, especially in recent years when there have been a few heat waves that have gripped the British Isles. It is not a given that air conditioning will be included in every accommodation option, so plan ahead and make sure your accommodations have air conditioning if you desire to have this amenity.

Holidays and Festivals:

First Monday in June - Victoria Day (Public holiday in Galashiels, Inverclyde, and Fife.)

Friday and Saturday after 1st Monday in June - Hawick Common Riding, Hawick, Scottish Borders. The first of the summer festivals in the Scottish Borders. (Public holiday in Hawick.)

Tuesday after second Thursday in June - Linlithgow Marches, Linlithgow, West Lothian. A parade through town which has its origins in Medieval times, when the town crier and a group of volunteers would patrol the lands around the city for encroachers. (Public holiday in Linlithgow.)

Second Thursday in June - Lanimer Day, Lanark. Dating from the 12th century, when King David granted burgh status to Lanark, Lanimer Day consists of large-scale parades of villagers in fancy dress, including the winners of the much-coveted titles Lord Cornet and Lanimer Queen. (Public holiday in Lanark area only.)

Mid-June - Selkirk Common Riding, Selkirk, Scottish Borders. A summer festival which has roots in a tradition over 400 years old, where villagers would ride on horses to make sure no rivals encroached on their land.

Late June - Royal Highland Show, Scotland`s annual farming and countryside showcase, held in Edinburgh.

Late June or early July - Scottish Traditional Boat Festival, Portsoy, Aberdeenshire, celebrating local traditional boats, food, music and culture.

Late June to early July - Edinburgh International Film Festival, the oldest continuously-running film festival in the world (every year since 1947).

Last Monday in June - Fair Holiday (Public holiday in Elgin.)

First Monday in July - Fair Holiday (Public holiday in Falkirk and Inverness.)

First Friday in July - Braw Lads Gathering, Galashiels, Scottish Borders, a festival held every year since 1930 celebrating local history. (Public holiday in Galashiels.)

First week in July - Luss Highland Games, Luss, Argyll and Bute. Highland Games consist of various physical sports, dancing, and cultural activities.

Second Monday in July - Fair Holiday (Public holiday in Aberdeen.)

Second week in July - Alva Highland Games, Alva, Clackmannanshire.

Third Monday in July - Fair Holiday (Public holiday in Arbroath, Fife, East Dunbartonshire, Glasgow, North Lanarkshire, and South Lanarkshire except Lanark.)

Fourth Friday in July - Fair Holiday (Public holiday in the Scottish Borders.)

Last Monday in July - Fair Holiday (Public holiday in Dundee.)