Scotland's weather by month (Edinburgh)
These are the Met Office's 1991–2020 long-term averages for Edinburgh (Royal Botanic Garden). "Rainy days" means days with at least 1 mm of rain. Highlands and west-coast weather is often wetter and windier than Edinburgh, and the hills are colder, so if you're heading to Skye or Glencoe, pack for the wetter end.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Rainy days | Adults | Kids |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 7°C / 45°F | 2°C / 35°F | 65 mm (2.5 in) | 12 | Warm waterproof coat or shell over a fleece, hat and gloves, waterproof boots. | Insulated waterproof jacket, thermal base layer, hat, mittens, wellies with warm socks. |
| Feb | 8°C / 46°F | 2°C / 35°F | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 10 | Same as January: frosty mornings are common. | Base layer, fleece, waterproof shell; spare gloves, because they will get wet. |
| Mar | 10°C / 49°F | 3°C / 37°F | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 10 | Waterproof shell, a warm mid layer, hat for the wind. | Waterproof jacket and trousers, fleece, wellies. |
| Apr | 12°C / 54°F | 5°C / 40°F | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 9 | Shell plus a light fleece; often the driest month in Edinburgh. | Waterproof jacket, fleece, comfortable walking shoes plus wellies. |
| May | 15°C / 59°F | 7°C / 45°F | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 10 | Light waterproof, a fleece for evenings, sunglasses. | Light waterproof, a warm layer, sun hat and suncream. |
| Jun | 17°C / 63°F | 10°C / 50°F | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 10 | T-shirt and light layers, packable rain jacket, midge repellent for the west. | Layers, packable rain jacket, sun hat; midge repellent and a head net for the west. |
| Jul | 19°C / 67°F | 12°C / 53°F | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 11 | Warmest month but one of the wettest: packable waterproof every day. | Packable waterproof, a fleece for evenings, quick-dry trousers rather than jeans. |
| Aug | 19°C / 66°F | 12°C / 53°F | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 10 | As July. Evenings cool off fast. | As July. A spare outfit in the car for wet days. |
| Sep | 17°C / 62°F | 10°C / 49°F | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 10 | Light layers and a proper waterproof. | Waterproof jacket, fleece, wellies for muddy walks. |
| Oct | 13°C / 56°F | 7°C / 44°F | 76 mm (3.0 in) | 12 | The wettest month in Edinburgh: waterproof jacket and waterproof shoes. | Waterproof jacket and trousers, fleece, wellies, hat. |
| Nov | 10°C / 50°F | 4°C / 39°F | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 12 | Warm waterproof coat, hat, gloves. | Thermal base layer, fleece, waterproof jacket and trousers, hat and gloves. |
| Dec | 7°C / 45°F | 2°C / 35°F | 67 mm (2.7 in) | 12 | Warm waterproof coat, layers, hat, gloves, waterproof boots. | Insulated waterproof jacket, thermals, mittens, wellies; daylight is short. |
Temperatures rounded to the nearest degree. Edinburgh averages about 9 to 10 days of air frost in each of December, January and February.
The layering system that works
- Base layer: something that dries fast and doesn't smell after a day: merino wool or a synthetic. Skip cotton for walks; it stays wet.
- Mid layer: a fleece or light insulated jacket.
- Outer layer: a waterproof jacket with a hood. For kids, add waterproof trousers so they can sit on wet grass and splash in puddles.
- Feet: waterproof shoes or boots, wool socks, and wellies for small kids.
For the kids
Patagonia Kids' Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket
Waterproof, breathable 3-layer shell, PFAS-free fabric and finish. Patagonia lists it at 230 g.
A proper waterproof that packs small. Worth it if your kids will be outside a lot, and it lasts long enough to hand down.
Columbia Boys' Glennaker Rain Jacket
Lightweight waterproof with a hood, elastic cuffs and reflective details; youth sizes XXS–XL.
The budget pick for light rain and city days. Columbia makes a toddler version too.
L.L.Bean Infants' and Toddlers' Discovery Rain Jacket
Waterproof nylon with taped seams, reflective trim and underarm vents; sizes 2T–4T.
For the littlest walkers: packable, and the reflective bits help on dark winter afternoons.
Hunter Kids First Classic Rain Boots
Natural rubber, fully waterproof; US kids' sizes from 5C.
Wellies are the one thing every Scottish kid owns. Easy on and off at the car, and puddles stop being a problem.
Darn Tough Kids' Light Hiker Micro Crew Socks
45% merino wool with cushioning underfoot; kids' shoe sizes 9–6.
Wool socks stay warm when they get damp, which in wellies they will.
On a tighter budget? Sierra often has discounted kids' rain jackets from brands like Columbia: kids' rain coats at Sierra. (That one isn't an affiliate link.)
For the adults
Patagonia Women's Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket
3-layer H2No waterproof shell with pit zips, PFAS-free; Patagonia lists it at 352 g. Men's version available.
Our everyday pick: packs into its own pocket, and the pit zips stop you overheating on a climb up Arthur's Seat.
Columbia Men's Watertight II Rain Jacket
Packable 2-layer nylon shell with sealed seams and an adjustable hood.
The good-value shell. Fine for city days and short walks.
Smartwool Men's Classic Thermal Merino Base Layer Crew
100% merino, 250 g/m² midweight. Women's version available.
For November to March, or for anyone who feels the cold. Merino can be worn several days without smelling.
SAXX Quest Quick-Dry Mesh Boxer Brief
Quick-dry micro-mesh designed for travel and sink washing.
Wash it in the hotel sink at night and it's dry by morning, so you can pack fewer pairs.
Proof 72-Hour Merino T-Shirt (at Huckberry)
Merino-nylon blend tee designed to be worn for days between washes.
A travel tee that doesn't look like a hiking shirt, good under a fleece.
Merrell Moab 3 Waterproof (at Zappos)
Waterproof walking shoe in men's and women's sizes.
A comfortable waterproof walking shoe for castles, cobbles and wet trails. Zappos has free returns if the fit's wrong.
The classic: a Barbour waxed jacket
If you want the jacket you'll see all over rural Scotland, it's a Barbour. Waxed cotton handles drizzle and wind well and looks better with age, though Orvis notes most Barbour waxed jackets are weather-resistant rather than fully waterproof, and they're heavier than a shell. It's more of a "buy once, wear for years" piece than packing gear. Barbour waxed jackets cost about $415 to $450 at US retailers when we checked on 22 October 2026.
- Barbour Bedale Jacket (men's), at Orvis: the short, classic riding-style jacket in 6 oz waxed cotton, sizes 32–52; $415 when we checked. Orvis suggests ordering one size down from your sport coat size.
- Barbour Beadnell Waxed Cotton Jacket (women's), at Orvis: the women's classic.
- Barbour Transport Wax Jacket (men's), at Bespoke Post: 6 oz waxed cotton with a cord collar, tartan lining and an inner storm skirt, in a roomier, more modern cut; $425 when we checked. Bespoke Post calls it water-resistant, not waterproof.
Kids' clothes for Scotland
Here's how much to actually pack, using the layering system above. Kids get wetter and muddier than adults, so they need more socks and a spare set of everything. Counts are per child. The two-week column assumes one load of laundry halfway (most self-catering places have a washer, and quick-dry things dry on a radiator overnight).
| Clothes | Weekend | 1 week | 2 weeks | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tops | 3 | 5 | 6 | T-shirts or long-sleeve tops; quick-dry or merino beats cotton |
| Trousers or leggings | 2 | 3 | 4 | leggings and joggers dry faster than jeans |
| Base layers | 1 set | 2 sets | 2 sets | thermal top and leggings, for cold days, evenings and hill walks |
| Fleece or warm mid layer | 1 | 1 | 2 | the thing they'll wear every day under the jacket |
| Waterproof jacket with a hood | 1 | 1 | 1 | a real waterproof, not a showerproof windbreaker |
| Rain trousers or a puddle suit | 1 | 1 | 1 | a puddle suit (all-in-one) for toddlers; over-trousers for older kids |
| Warm hat | 1 | 1 | 1 | plus gloves or mittens from October to April |
| Sun hat | 1 | 1 | 1 | yes, really: summer days are long, and a cool breeze hides how strong the sun is |
| Pyjamas | 1 | 2 | 2 | one warm pair: old houses and B&Bs can be chilly at night |
| Socks | 4 | 8 | 8 | wool or merino; one spare pair a day, because feet get wet |
| Underwear | 4 | 8 | 8 | a couple of extra pairs for little ones |
| Waterproof shoes or wellies | 1 pair | 1 pair | 1 pair | wellies for small kids, waterproof walking shoes for older ones |
| Comfy trainers | 1 pair | 1 pair | 1 pair | for travel days, cities and when the wellies are soaked |
| Swimwear | 1 | 1 | 2 | hotel and leisure-centre pools are a lifesaver on a wet afternoon |
| A nicer outfit | 1 | 1 | 1 | for a special dinner, afternoon tea or family photos |
| Spare outfit in the carry-on | 1 | 1 | 1 | a full change per child (two for under-3s), in case the checked bag goes missing or someone spills |
Extra for babies and toddlers
- A sleep sack (or two for a baby, in case of leaks). Rooms vary a lot, so check the tog guide on the label against the room temperature.
- Extra changes: plan on two outfits a day for a baby and one spare a day for a toddler, plus extra vests or bodysuits.
- Bibs: two or three a day, or a few wipe-clean ones you can rinse in the sink.
- A warm all-in-one or fleece suit for the stroller or carrier on cold, windy days, and a puddle suit once they're walking.
Pack each child's clothes in their own packing cube, with travel-day clothes and the spare outfit on top.
A quick Scotland packing checklist
- Waterproof jacket for every person (and waterproof trousers for kids)
- A fleece or warm mid layer each
- Quick-dry or merino base layers; fewer cotton T-shirts
- Everyday clothes (counts in the list above): trousers or leggings rather than jeans, pyjamas, and socks and underwear for each day
- Waterproof shoes or boots, wellies for small kids, wool socks
- Hat and gloves outside summer; sun hat and suncream in summer
- Midge repellent and a head net (late May to September, west Highlands)
- UK plug adapters (type G)
Free: kids travel packing checklist
Three printable pages: what to pack by age (baby, toddler, school-age), kids' clothes with counts for a weekend, 1 week or 2 weeks, and a plane & car bag list for travel day.
Questions
Do I need a waterproof jacket in Scotland in summer?
Yes. July and August are the warmest months in Edinburgh, with average highs around 19 °C (66 °F), but they're also among the wettest: about 72 mm of rain and 10 to 11 rainy days a month (1991–2020 Met Office averages). A light, packable waterproof for every person is the single most useful thing you can bring.
What should kids wear in Scotland?
Layers. A thin base layer, a fleece and a waterproof jacket let you add or remove warmth as the day changes. Add waterproof trousers and wellies (rubber boots) for anything muddy, and pack a spare set of clothes in the car.
Is a waxed jacket like a Barbour good for Scotland?
It's a classic for a reason: waxed cotton sheds rain and wind well. Retailers like Orvis describe most Barbour waxed jackets as weather-resistant rather than fully waterproof, and they're heavy to pack. For a heavy downpour or a hike, a modern waterproof shell is lighter and drier.
When is the driest time to visit Edinburgh?
On the 1991–2020 Met Office averages, April is the driest month in Edinburgh (about 41 mm of rain over 8 to 9 rainy days), and October is the wettest (about 76 mm). It can rain in any month, so pack a waterproof whenever you go.
Should we bring wellies or hiking boots?
For young kids, wellies: they're easy to get on and off and you can splash through anything. Adults doing real walks are better off in waterproof walking shoes or boots. For city days in Edinburgh, comfortable waterproof shoes are enough.
More packing guides
Sources
- Edinburgh Royal Botanic Garden No 2: 1991–2020 averages (Met Office)
- Kids' Torrentshell 3L: specs and weight (Patagonia)
- Women's Torrentshell 3L: specs and weight (Patagonia)
- Classic Thermal Merino Base Layer Crew (Smartwool)
- Kids' Light Hiker Micro Crew (Darn Tough)
- Kids First Classic Rain Boots (Hunter)
- Barbour Bedale Jacket: materials, sizes and price (Orvis)
- Barbour waxed jackets: weather-resistant, care and re-waxing (Orvis)
- Barbour Transport Wax Jacket: materials and price (Bespoke Post)
Specs and prices change. Check the retailer before you buy. Last checked 22 October 2026.