When to go · Edinburgh
Edinburgh in January
Mixed month. Outside the best window (May–Sep). Across United Kingdom: Short grey days, sales and cheap hotels; good for London museums and theatre, poor for the Highlands.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Temperature
- 7°C45°F / 2°C36°F
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 13
- Crowds
- Low
- United Kingdom overall
- Prices
- Low
- United Kingdom overall
Verdict
Outside the best window (May–Sep). Across United Kingdom: Short grey days, sales and cheap hotels; good for London museums and theatre, poor for the Highlands.
Weather in January
- EdinburghHighs around 7 °C, lows around 2 °C, rain on about 13 daysHighs around 45 °F, lows around 36 °F, rain on about 13 days
- Scotland, United Kingdom · Edinburgh, Glasgow, Highlands, Skyestorm or typhoon risk
18+ hours of daylight in June; midges in the west from June to August; winter gales cancel ferries and close high roads.
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
New Year
1 Jan (+2 Jan in Scotland) · United Kingdom
Hogmanay in Edinburgh on 31 Dec needs tickets; reduced transport on 1 Jan.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · United Kingdom overall
- Low
- Prices · United Kingdom overall
- Low
United Kingdom overall: Short grey days, sales and cheap hotels; good for London museums and theatre, poor for the Highlands.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast
- A spare day in the plan: storms can cancel flights and ferries