Scotland weather in May
Are you planning a trip to Scotland in May and wondering what kind of weather to expect? This page has all the details you need.
What is the weather like in Scotland in May?
May in Scotland generally has temperatures that range from cold to moderate, with precipitation levels ranging from moderate to high.
During the day temperatures vary from cold in Shetland at 10°C to moderate in Glasgow at 15°C. At night it cools down to 7°C in Glasgow and 7°C in Shetland.
In May, precipitation varies across different areas. From moderate rainfall in Shetland with an average of 52 mm to high rainfall in Inverinate with 143 mm. Meanwhile, Edinburgh enjoys close to 193 hours of sunlight. This means it's a great month if you prefer bright and sunny days.
For specific regional insights in Scotland for May, refer to the map provided below. For an in-depth overview of the yearly weather conditions, do visit our Scotland climate page.
Where to go in Scotland in May
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Popular destinations in Scotland
What is the weather like in May for the 5 most popular destinations in Scotland?
Average weather in Edinburgh
In May Edinburgh generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 15°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 7°C and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are tolerable that month.
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Average weather in Aberdeen
In May Aberdeen generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 13°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 7°C and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are unpleasant that month.
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Average weather in Oban
In May Oban generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 14°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 7°C and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are unpleasant that month.
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Average weather in Dundee
In May Dundee generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 15°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 7°C and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are tolerable that month.
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Average weather in Shetland
In May Shetland generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 10°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 7°C and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.
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Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at other destinations in Scotland.
Is May the best time to visit Scotland?
Given the typically tolerable weather conditions in Edinburgh, May might be a good time to visit Scotland. It's worth noting that weather conditions might differ depending on the location you visit.
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.
Interested in the weather conditions in a specific month? Select the month below.
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 climate conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.