Scotland In November: Everything You Need To Know

Weather In Scotland In November

One of the first things that many people ask when they are thinking of visiting Scotland in November is, how’s the weather?

November can be a really fickle month for weather just like in many other parts of the world. You might luck out and have a really beautiful sunny, cool day with a light wind, you might get a moody, blustery day with lots of clouds and mist, or it could rain all day.

We experienced all the types of weather when we visited in late November and you should be prepared for it as well. As the saying goes, “if you don’t like the weather, wait 5 minutes.” This holds true in Scotland, especially in November!

Temperatures

In general, temperatures throughout Scotland in November average somewhere between highs of 50°F (10°C) and lows of 36°F (2°C).

Temperatures will also vary depending on what part of the country you are in. Edinburgh and eastern Scotland can be a bit cooler and drier, while the Isle of Skye and western Scotland will be a bit warmer but also wetter.

When you are in the higher elevations, such as Cairngorm National Park and the northern Highlands, you can also expect the temperatures to be a bit lower, possibly even around freezing.

As stated above, be prepared for all weather possibilities and you won’t be caught unawares.

Does It Snow In Scotland In November?

Yes, it can snow in Scotland in November. While the first half of the month will be a bit warmer, there is the chance that temperatures could get low enough to see some snow by the second half of the month.

In places like Ben Nevis, where the elevation is higher, you may very well see snow by the middle of the month. This is also something to keep in mind if you plan to do some hiking in the mountains or in the northern Highlands.

Daylight hours

As winter approaches, the amount of daylight will start to shorten.

At the beginning of the month, there will be almost 9 hours of daylight. By the end of November, there will be just shy of 7 hours in most parts of the country.

While you won’t have as much sunlight as you would in the summer months, I didn’t think the shorter days affected our ability to see and do what we wanted on our visit. In fact, it was kind of nice to have our sightseeing wrapped up by 4:00 pm so we could have the evening to relax and have a nice dinner at a local pub.

Northern lights

While it’s not common, there’s always a slight chance you could see the Northern Lights in Scotland in November.

The best chance to see them this time of year would be in the northernmost part of the country where it’s quite dark. However, later on in the winter is the better time of year to catch them, so don’t plan a trip to Scotland in November around the hopes of seeing the Northern Lights.

Crowds In Scotland In November

How crowded will it be in Scotland in November?

The good news is that November is the off-season in Scotland, which means there are basically no crowds. There will be more tourists around in the cities than in the Highlands, but you’ll still find most of the attractions pretty empty.

I spent 3 days in Edinburgh at the end of November and absolutely loved the lack of tourists. I could walk around the museums, shops, and popular attractions without feeling claustrophobic, and I could really get a sense of what it would be like to live there.

This is also an ideal time for photographers because you’ll be able to get so many fantastic shots of normally crowded attractions without people in them. This was one of my favorite parts about traveling in November.

Costs In Scotland In November

Since there are a lot less people visiting this time of year, you’ll also have the benefit of cheaper airfare, hotels, rental cars, and sometimes even attraction tickets.

If you are on a tight budget, visiting Scotland in November is the perfect time. Your money will go a lot further this time of year and you might be able to afford eating out a bit more than you normally would. This is what my husband and I did and we loved getting the chance to eat out every evening because we had the money to do so, which doesn’t happen on most of our vacations.

Where To Go In Scotland In November

So what parts of Scotland should you visit in November?

Scotland is not a very large country, and you can reach most of it within a day or so of travel.

That being said, there’s going to be more to do in certain parts of Scotland than others in November. Here are a few places you should check out.

Edinburgh In November

Edinburgh is probably my favorite city, and it’s not hard to see why. The stunning architecture, the history, the museums…there’s plenty to explore here all year round.

In November, most everything is still open. You won’t notice much of a difference in things to do compared to the summer, only fewer people visiting and cheaper prices.

Some of the best things to do in Edinburgh in November include Edinburgh Castle, Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Royal Mile, Scotch Whisky Experience, and The National Museum of Scotland. There’s also the Christmas market at the end of November, which you can read more about below.

I spent 3 days in Edinburgh in November and could have spent even more, I loved it so much. I honestly can’t wait to go back and experience even more of this amazing city.

Glasgow In November

Glasgow is the other major city in Scotland that has tons to do in the cooler months.

There’s a Christmas market here as well as lots of museums, art galleries, and other attractions. On rainy, cold days, you won’t run out of options for things to occupy your time.

We only spent a very short time here on our trip, but we really enjoyed wandering through Glasgow Cathedral and Necropolis. Next time we go, I want to check out Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Riverside Museum, Gallery of Modern Art, and the People’s Palace and Winter Gardens.

Glasgow is also a great base for spending some time in Trossachs National Park and Loch Lomond. November is a much quieter month to explore this beautiful park, and the lakes are just as stunning in the winter as in the summer.

Dundee In November

If a smaller city is more to your liking, you could check out Dundee. It is located a little over an hour north of Edinburgh and could also make for a great day trip from the capital.

For its size, Dundee packs a punch on things to do. The city has a big nautical history, so naturally there are some museums and attractions dedicated to this. Discovery Point and RRS Discovery are worth a visit, as well as the HMS Unicorn.

For the art lovers, check out the McManus Art Gallery & Museum. Dundee is also the home of the first V&A museum outside of London and is a fantastic place to spend a few hours.

Aberdeen In November

If you want to travel even further north along the coast, Aberdeen is a great city if you want to base yourself closer to Cairngorm National Park for some outdoor activities.

There are plenty of great museums and art galleries, such as the Aberdeen Maritime Museum, Gordon Highlanders Museum, and the Aberdeen Art Gallery. Duthie Park has a fantastic winter garden, one of the largest indoor gardens in Europe, and St Machar’s Cathedral is a beautiful church to see.

If the weather’s nice, take some time to stroll around the cobblestone streets of Old Aberdeen or spend a day in the Cairngorms.

Isle Of Skye In November

Once November rolls around, the Isle of Skye gets quiet. This is the perfect time of year to explore this island and all the jaw-dropping scenery it has to offer with very few others around.

Hike up to Old Man of Storr or the Quiraing, marvel at the Fairy Glen and the Fairy Pools, watch the sunset at Neist Point, or just drive around and enjoy the views.

The Highlands In November

There is so much to see and do in the Highlands all year round, but November means less people and a more moody atmosphere (which I personally love).

Inverness is a great base for exploring the Highlands. Spend some time around Loch Ness, check out Urquhart Castle, experience the beauty of Glencoe, look for the Hogwarts Express at the Glenfinnan Viaduct, and wander the Culloden Battlefield.

There are so many things to do in this gorgeous region, so if you want to check out some of the other options, here are some of the best things to do in the Highlands.

Are there any places you shouldn’t visit in Scotland in November?

In my opinion, not really. November does have fickle weather, but you can go just about anywhere you want to by public transportation or your car without having to worry about the weather causing major problems yet.

However, if you’re the type of person who needs a lot to do and doesn’t want to be outside much in the weather, then I’d recommend sticking to the cities, where you’ll have plenty to see and do out of the elements.

But if you’re adventurous and want to explore outside, weather be damned, then I’d recommend heading out to the Isle of Skye and the Highlands, where the lack of tourists will give you all the stunning views, hikes, and attractions to yourself.

What To Do In Scotland In November

Now that you know some of the best places to go, what other things are there to do this time of year?

While there are some things that are not open in November, there are still so many that are. You may not get to see everything on your Scotland wish list, but you’ll still get to hit many of the highlights.

Here are some of the top things to do in Scotland in November.

Visit castles & palaces

Many castles are still open this time of year, although they may have shorter visiting hours than in the summer, which shouldn’t be an issue for most people.

We visited so many castles and palaces, we were *almost* tired of them by the end of the trip! Here are the ones that we explored:

• Edinburgh Castle
• Palace of Holyroodhouse
• Stirling Castle
• Linlithgow Palace
• St. Andrews Castle
• Urquhart Castle
• Eilean Donan Castle
• Old Inverlochy Castle

There are plenty of others that are also open in November, so depending on where you want to travel, I’m sure there will be a castle or two to explore.

Check out museums

On the not-so-good weather days, museums are the perfect option to fill your hours. The major museums in the cities are usually open year-round, so you shouldn’t have any problems finding a few to wander.

If you are in a more remote part of the country, like the Isle of Skye or up along the North Coast 500, those smaller museums might only be open during the high season. The best practice is to do your research ahead of time to see what will be open when you visit so you won’t be disappointed.

Marvel at cathedrals

Cathedrals are wonderful places to explore in the colder months as most of them still function as places of worship and therefore are open all year.

Some of my favorites are Glasgow Cathedral, St. Andrews Cathedral, and St. Giles Cathedral. More than likely, you’ll find a cathedral in just about any city or town around the country. Even the small ones that we found, like Dunkeld Cathedral and St. Mary & St Finnan Church, were lovely.

See reindeer at Cairngorm Reindeer Centre

This was one of my favorite activities on our Scotland trip. If you choose to do the hill walk, you will hike out to the reindeer herd and get the chance to feed and pet the reindeer while learning about the animals and the herd.

This experience is wonderful in the winter, because if you luck out like we did, there was a beautiful coating of snow, and it felt much more authentic and special somehow. However, regardless of whether or not there is snow, it will be an amazing time.

Even if you don’t want to do the hill walk, you can still visit the paddock at the center and see the reindeer, although you can’t feed or pet them there.

Take a hike

In my opinion, the late fall and early winter months have perfect hiking temperatures. I’m a cold weather person by nature, so maybe not everyone feels the same, but if you don’t mind taking a risk with the elements, you can still do lots of great hikes around Scotland in November.

We did not spend too much time hiking on our visit, but we did get to hike Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh (absolutely fantastic) and did a lot of wandering around the Isle of Skye.

When we go for our next trip, we’ll be doing more hikes, and I love the AllTrails app for finding the best ones. It’s also nice because people will leave reviews on how the trail conditions are, so you can check ahead of time to see if there is anything you need to consider before taking a particular trail.

Some of the hikes on my list for next time include The Old Man of Storr and the Quiraing on the Isle of Skye, Devil’s Pulpit in Trossachs National Park, and Hadrian’s Wall on the border with England.

Sip a dram of whisky

Whisky lovers will have a field day because there are so many distilleries that offer tours, even in November.

We personally did Talisker on the Isle of Skye and Tomatin near Inverness and really enjoyed both. I’m not a whisky fan, but my husband is, and even though I don’t like drinking it, I found the tours enjoyable.

Some other good ones you can tour include Oban, Tobermory, and Ben Nevis.

Enjoy the landscape

Even if you aren’t much of a hiker, or don’t really want to risk walking in the weather, you can still admire the scenery. Especially in the Highlands, practically everywhere you go has beautiful views, even from the cities and towns.

One of my favorite areas for scenery is Glencoe. We only did a quick drive through it, but it was so stunning we are going to spend more time there on our next trip. You also might see some of the red deer which was my husband’s favorite part!

Take a road trip

Don’t be afraid to make an epic road trip out of your November visit to Scotland. In my opinion, this is the best way to explore the country and see everything from the cities to the small villages to the majestic hills and everything in between.

In fact, here are two itineraries you can do in November in Scotland:

The Best 7 Day Scotland Road Trip Itinerary For First Timers
The Ultimate 10-Day Scotland Highlands Road Trip Itinerary

Events In Scotland In November

Don’t think that summer is the only time for festivals in Scotland! In fact, there are quite a few events going on around the country during the month.

Glasgow’s Whisky Festival

Whisky connoisseurs will love this event which features the distilleries in and around Glasgow and celebrates the country’s national drink. You’ll learn about whisky from the best in the region and have the chance to take part in tastings.

Guy Fawkes Night

Also called Bonfire Night, November 5 is the anniversary of the failure of the Gunpowder Plot in 1605 to blow up the House of Parliament. This is often celebrated with parades, fireworks, and bonfires.

St. Andrews Day

November 30 is St. Andrews Day, which is a celebration of the country’s patron saint. This is a national holiday that is celebrated with feasts, parties, live music, and a dram of whisky or two. Some of the bigger cities will also have parades, dances, and fireworks.

Oban Winter Festival

Near the end of November, the Oban Winter Festival is a fun and family-friendly event welcoming the local community and visitors alike. Highlights include an opening parade, the Winter Woods nighttime light show, food and craft markets, a haggis and whisky festival, and a reindeer parade.

Christmas Markets

Christmas markets are some of the best things to do in Scotland in November. All the major cities have them, and they are all unique and offer fantastic attractions.

Most of the Christmas markets begin in late November, so if you are in Scotland at the end of the month, you must experience at least one.

I got to walk around Edinburgh’s Christmas Market when I visited and I thought it was magical. There are so many food and craft stalls, carnival rides, beautiful lights, and other activities to enjoy. I went one night with my husband and we had a blast. I wish I could have had more time!

The Christmas markets are well worth traveling to Scotland for, so don’t miss them!

Dundee Mountain Film Festival

For the adventure lovers out there, the Dundee Mountain Film Festival celebrates stories of exploration and adventure. There are speakers, films, and art and photography displays.

Where To Stay In Scotland In November

Since it is the off-season, some accommodations do close down for the winter, but there are plenty of places that are open all year. You shouldn’t have any trouble finding a place to stay if you plan ahead a bit.

Depending on where you want to base yourself and if you are going to be taking a road trip and hopping around, there are hotels around all the major cities and tourist areas. That being said, I still recommend booking as far ahead of time as you can to make sure you have a place to rest your head every night.

Some locations, such as northern Scotland and the Isle of Skye, don’t have a ton of options to begin with, and if you don’t know for sure what’s open and if there are any vacancies, you might be out of luck.

VRBO and Airbnb are also fantastic choices if you enjoy homestays, but in my experience, these do fill up quickly, so these options should be booked months in advance if possible.

I have two posts dedicated entirely to places to stay in Scotland that can help you find exactly what you are looking for no matter where you want to base yourself.

The Best Places To Stay In Scotland: The Top Locations + Hotel Recommendations
The Best Castles To Stay In Scotland For Your Next Visit

What To Wear In Scotland In November

Since the weather can be all over the place this time of year (and really, Scotland weather is like that all year round), you’ll want to pack a variety of clothing items so you’ll be comfortable no matter what.

Here is what I recommend you bring at the minimum:

• Good hiking boots/shoes if you plan to do any significant walking or hiking. If they are waterproof or water resistant, even better
• Wool socks are going to make a difference too. They will keep your feet drier and warmer than cotton
• An insulated rain jacket is a must. You will experience rain at some point and possibly snow, so you’ll want to be able to stay dry and warm
• The best practice is to bring lots of warm layers. Wool is always a great choice for a base layer, and fleece is nice for a midlayer
• A hat, scarf, and gloves would also be a good idea, especially if you head up into the higher elevations. With the wind, you’ll be thankful for them even on a dry day

Getting Around Scotland In November

Even though things slow down in November, public transportation is still readily available. The buses and trains still run regularly, so if you want to travel around Scotland this way, you shouldn’t have any problems.

If you want to take a ferry to any of the islands off the mainland, you may have to be flexible. The ferry timetables are not as frequent this time of year, and if there’s really bad weather, they may get delayed or canceled. Keep this in mind when planning your trip.

I personally recommend renting your own car to get around Scotland at any time of year, even November. In fact, I found adjusting to driving in Scotland to be a lot less stressful in the off-season because there were far fewer people on the roads, and trying to learn to drive on the other side of the car on narrow, winding roads was hard enough without traffic.

I use DiscoverCars to search and book my car rentals wherever I go. They search over 500 trusted providers to find you the best price and all the features you need with free cancellation, no hidden fees, and 24/7 support.

Is It Worth Visiting Scotland In November?

Yes, Scotland is absolutely worth visiting in November. With the cheaper prices, fewer tourists, and the delight of having so many popular attractions to yourself, you shouldn’t let the cooler weather keep you from experiencing this amazing country during this month.