What to Expect When You Visit the Scottish Highlands in Winter
Scotland is one of the most scenic countries in the world, especially in winter when the mountains are covered in snow and the lochs are frozen over. The Scottish highlands is a popular holiday destination during the winter months as many visit to enjoy the many ski slopes or hills for sledging.
Isle of Skye in winter
Prepare for the Weather
Due to the wet weather that Scotland experiences in winter, you can expect to need to bring a waterproof jacket to keep you dry on your trip. If there has been a lot of rain, there will be boggy and marshy conditions underfoot when visiting some of the popular tourist spots. For comfort and warmth, we would recommend you pack a good pair of walking boots to keep your feet dry and warm if you head off the beaten path or get caught in a rainstorm.
In addition to the boots, a pair of waterproof and comfortable walking trousers will also come in handy. You are going to be out and about a lot during your trip, so you should not let a little rain get in the way of exploring Scotland’s beauty.
It is also common for the highlands of Scotland to experience snow during the winter months. Bring warm clothes to get out and explore the highlands in all their beauty.
Driving in Scotland in Winter
Driving during the winter months in the highlands of Scotland, requires full concentration due to the changing weather conditions.
We would recommend making sure you have all season tyres on your vehicle to help you drive comfortably.
Due to the wet weather that the Scottish highlands can experience during the winter months, frozen roads are not uncommon when the temperature drops. Not all paths are going to be treated with salt to prevent freezing either, so it is up to you to take care during these icy conditions.
During some of the heavier rainfalls, some of the roads in the highlands may experience flooding. This can mean some roads will become inaccessible if you do not have a larger car, so take care when you are driving around so as not to be flooded in.
This also goes for snow. We recommend having an emergency bag in your vehicle with warm blankets in case you become snowed in.
Hours of Daylight in Scotland in Winter
Due to how far north the Scottish highlands are, the daylight hours vary drastically from summer into winter. In the peak of summer, there will be nights when it does not seem to get dark at all, with a constant twilight sitting on the horizon. In contrast, during the winter months, the daylight hours are very short, some days only have 5 hours of sunshine. It is important to bear this in mind when you visit during winter and remember that you do not have as much daylight to see as many sights as in the summer.
If you get a clear night, the benefit of the early sunset is that there are more hours of possible northern light sightings!
Winter Colours in Scotland
Winter may not be the brightest time to visit the Scottish Highlands, the flowers are not in bloom and the trees have been laid bare. However, perhaps the most beautiful characteristic of the Scottish Flora is the colour it produces across the hills during the winter.
The heather turns a magnificent orange/brown and, when paired with a dusting of snow on the tops of the mountains, as well as a golden sunset, it creates a sensational palette of warming golds, reds, browns, and oranges across the hills. Winter in Scotland is arguably the most spectacular time of year for photographers and nature lovers alike.
Activities in the Scottish Highlands in Winter
The Scottish Highlands are very popular during the winter months and over the Christmas period as this is when there is likely to be snow. The Cairngorms National Park is home to 3 of Scotland’s ski centres, Cairngorm, Glenshee and Lecht. Another popular ski resort in Scotland is Glen Nevis.
If you are new to skiing or snowboarding, there are plenty of opportunities for beginners on the slopes either by purchasing packages that include tuition or lessons.
If skiing and snowboarding is not for you, there are many great hills to go sledging on in the Scottish Highlands.
Ski Slopes at Glenshee, Scotland
So there you have it, your complete guide to visiting the highlands of Scotland in winter. If you are visiting this incredible country and have any other questions on what to expect, leave us a comment down below. We love to chat about this stuff! If you have already been, let us know how it was! What spot was your favourite? Let us know in the comments below!
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