Scotland

Scotland Weather in April

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in Scotland in April.

Considering a trip to Scotland this April and wondering about the expected weather conditions? Find all the crucial information you need right here, addressing your question:

What to Expect in Scotland in April

April in Scotland generally has temperatures that range from cold to mild, with precipitation levels ranging from moderate to high.

Temperatures

During the day the temperature is cold in Shetland at 9°C (48°F) and mild in Dundee at 12°C (54°F). As night falls, temperatures generally drop to 5°C (41°F) in Dundee and 6°C (43°F) in Shetland.

To explore the conditions in Scotland in more detail, check the map below.

Precipitation

In April, precipitation varies across different areas. From moderate rainfall in Aberdeen with an average of 63 mm (2.5 in) to high rainfall in Mallaig with 145 mm (5.7 in). Based on our climate data it is the driest month of the year in Edinburgh.

Average sunshine

Most areas see decent amounts of sunshine this month. Edinburgh gets around 155 hours of sunlight, providing a pleasant balance of sun and clouds. If you'd prefer more guaranteed sunshine, our weather planner can show you sunnier spots around the world.

Explore Scotland by month

Best Places to Visit in Scotland in April

Click on a destination dot for more details. Toggle the map to compare temperatures or precipitation across Scotland.

perfect weather
pleasant
tolerable
unpleasant
poor

Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C (68°F) and 29°C (84°F) and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm (3.5 in) a month).

Popular Destinations in Scotland

What is the weather like in April for some of the most popular destinations in Scotland?

Temperature range in Scotland (April)

Precipitation variation in Scotland (April)

Edinburgh

In April Edinburgh generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 12°C (54°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 5°C (41°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are unpleasant that month.

March
April
May
Max temperature
10°C (50°F)
12°C (54°F)
15°C (59°F)
Min temperature
3°C (37°F)
5°C (41°F)
7°C (45°F)
Monthly sun hours
116 hours
155 hours
193 hours
Monthly rainfall
70 mm (2.8 in)
66 mm (2.6 in)
67 mm (2.6 in)
Monthly rainy days
18 days
15 days
16 days
Weather conditions

Aberdeen

In April Aberdeen generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 11°C (52°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 5°C (41°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are unpleasant that month.

March
April
May
Max temperature
9°C (48°F)
11°C (52°F)
13°C (55°F)
Min temperature
4°C (39°F)
5°C (41°F)
7°C (45°F)
Monthly sun hours
124 hours
155 hours
203 hours
Monthly rainfall
61 mm (2.4 in)
63 mm (2.5 in)
59 mm (2.3 in)
Monthly rainy days
18 days
17 days
16 days
Weather conditions

Oban

In April Oban generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 11°C (52°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 5°C (41°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

March
April
May
Max temperature
9°C (48°F)
11°C (52°F)
14°C (57°F)
Min temperature
3°C (37°F)
5°C (41°F)
7°C (45°F)
Monthly sun hours
86 hours
145 hours
189 hours
Monthly rainfall
179 mm (7 in)
131 mm (5.2 in)
128 mm (5 in)
Monthly rainy days
21 days
17 days
18 days
Weather conditions

Dundee

In April Dundee generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 12°C (54°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 5°C (41°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are unpleasant that month.

March
April
May
Max temperature
10°C (50°F)
12°C (54°F)
15°C (59°F)
Min temperature
3°C (37°F)
5°C (41°F)
7°C (45°F)
Monthly sun hours
118 hours
147 hours
193 hours
Monthly rainfall
66 mm (2.6 in)
63 mm (2.5 in)
68 mm (2.7 in)
Monthly rainy days
16 days
14 days
15 days
Weather conditions

Shetland

In April Shetland generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 9°C (48°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 6°C (43°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

March
April
May
Max temperature
8°C (46°F)
9°C (48°F)
10°C (50°F)
Min temperature
5°C (41°F)
6°C (43°F)
7°C (45°F)
Monthly sun hours
93 hours
130 hours
182 hours
Monthly rainfall
102 mm (4 in)
67 mm (2.6 in)
52 mm (2 in)
Monthly rainy days
23 days
19 days
17 days
Weather conditions

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in Scotland.

Popular cities in April

Day & night temperatures, rainfall and average weather in Scotland in April.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Edinburgh 12°C (54°F) 5°C (41°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Aberdeen 11°C (52°F) 5°C (41°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Oban 11°C (52°F) 5°C (41°F) 131 mm (5.2 in)
Dundee 12°C (54°F) 5°C (41°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Balmacara 11°C (52°F) 4°C (39°F) 135 mm (5.3 in)
Shetland 9°C (48°F) 6°C (43°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)

Scotland weather in April: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Scotland in April?

April in Scotland brings unpleasant weather. In Edinburgh, daytime temperatures are typically around 12°C (54°F) and nighttime lows hover near 5°C (41°F).

What is the average temperature in Scotland in April?

In Edinburgh, the average daytime high in April is 12°C (54°F), while nighttime temperatures drop to around 5°C (41°F).

Does Scotland get a lot of rain in April?

April is on the drier side in Scotland. Edinburgh averages only about 66 mm (2.6 in), with most days staying dry.

Is April a Good Time to Visit Scotland?

In our view, April might not be the best time to travel to Scotland with often unpleasant weather in Edinburgh.

On average, the best time to visit Scotland is in June, July and August with generally pleasant weather in Edinburgh. On the other hand, the months of January, February, March, November and December tend to have poor weather conditions.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in Scotland.

Weather and climate has detailed information for every country in the world. Are you going to Scotland? Get detailed historical weather averages for many cities in Scotland.

Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal travel conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.

Bucket list

Need travel inspiration? Check out our bucket list articles and be inspired.