Edinburgh

Scotland Weather in January

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

Considering a trip to Scotland this January 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 January

January in Scotland generally has cold temperatures, with precipitation levels ranging from moderate to heavy. January falls during the winter season.

Temperatures

The average maximum temperatures are cold and range from 6°C (43°F) in Inverinate to 10°C (50°F) in Bowmore. Nighttime temperatures generally drop to 5°C (41°F) in Bowmore and 1°C (34°F) in Inverinate. Typically, it's the chilliest month of the year. Making it a great time for staying indoors and enjoying the warmth. Make sure you're prepared by packing the right winter outfits.

To learn more about the conditions in specific areas of Scotland, check out the map below.

Precipitation

In January, precipitation varies across different areas. From moderate rainfall in Aberdeen with an average of 72 mm (2.8 in) to heavy rainfall in Mallaig with 289 mm (11 in).

Average sunshine

Many places experience limited sunshine during this period. Edinburgh receives around 54 hours of sunlight. If you prefer more sunny conditions, our weather planner can help you explore other destinations.

Explore Scotland by month

Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in Scotland — and find the best time to visit. (based on Edinburgh)

Best Places to Visit in Scotland in January

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 January for some of the most popular destinations in Scotland?

Temperature range in Scotland (January)

Precipitation variation in Scotland (January)

Edinburgh

In January Edinburgh generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 8°C (46°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 2°C (36°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
8°C (46°F)
8°C (46°F)
8°C (46°F)
Min temperature
2°C (36°F)
2°C (36°F)
2°C (36°F)
Monthly sun hours
48 hours
54 hours
81 hours
Monthly rainfall
87 mm (3.4 in)
87 mm (3.4 in)
81 mm (3.2 in)
Monthly rainy days
18 days
19 days
15 days
Weather conditions

Aberdeen

In January Aberdeen generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 8°C (46°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 3°C (37°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
8°C (46°F)
8°C (46°F)
8°C (46°F)
Min temperature
3°C (37°F)
3°C (37°F)
3°C (37°F)
Monthly sun hours
48 hours
62 hours
86 hours
Monthly rainfall
75 mm (3 in)
72 mm (2.8 in)
65 mm (2.6 in)
Monthly rainy days
19 days
20 days
16 days
Weather conditions

Oban

In January Oban generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 8°C (46°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 3°C (37°F) and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
8°C (46°F)
8°C (46°F)
8°C (46°F)
Min temperature
3°C (37°F)
3°C (37°F)
3°C (37°F)
Monthly sun hours
31 hours
33 hours
59 hours
Monthly rainfall
247 mm (9.7 in)
254 mm (10 in)
220 mm (8.7 in)
Monthly rainy days
23 days
23 days
18 days
Weather conditions

Dundee

In January Dundee generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 8°C (46°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 2°C (36°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
8°C (46°F)
8°C (46°F)
9°C (48°F)
Min temperature
2°C (36°F)
2°C (36°F)
2°C (36°F)
Monthly sun hours
45 hours
55 hours
79 hours
Monthly rainfall
80 mm (3.1 in)
83 mm (3.3 in)
71 mm (2.8 in)
Monthly rainy days
17 days
18 days
14 days
Weather conditions

Shetland

In January Shetland generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 9°C (48°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 5°C (41°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
9°C (48°F)
9°C (48°F)
8°C (46°F)
Min temperature
6°C (43°F)
5°C (41°F)
5°C (41°F)
Monthly sun hours
18 hours
29 hours
55 hours
Monthly rainfall
131 mm (5.2 in)
136 mm (5.4 in)
119 mm (4.7 in)
Monthly rainy days
27 days
26 days
20 days
Weather conditions

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

Popular cities in January

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

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Edinburgh 8°C (46°F) 2°C (36°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Aberdeen 8°C (46°F) 3°C (37°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
Oban 8°C (46°F) 3°C (37°F) 254 mm (10 in)
Dundee 8°C (46°F) 2°C (36°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Balmacara 7°C (45°F) 2°C (36°F) 237 mm (9.3 in)
Shetland 9°C (48°F) 5°C (41°F) 136 mm (5.4 in)

Scotland weather in January: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Scotland in January?

January in Scotland brings poor weather. In Edinburgh, daytime temperatures are typically around 8°C (46°F) and nighttime lows hover near 2°C (36°F).

What is the average temperature in Scotland in January?

Edinburgh averages a daytime maximum of 8°C (46°F) in January, with overnight lows close to 2°C (36°F).

Does Scotland get a lot of rain in January?

Not particularly. Edinburgh averages just 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain in January, making it a mostly dry month for Scotland.

Is January a Good Time to Visit Scotland?

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

Generally speaking, June, July and August provide pleasant weather in Edinburgh. In contrast, 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.

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