Scotland

Scotland Weather in May

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

🔎
Edinburgh Aberdeen Oban Dundee

Considering a trip to Scotland this May 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 May

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

Temperatures

During the day temperatures vary from cold in Shetland at 10°C (50°F) to mild in Glasgow at 15°C (59°F). At night it cools down to 7°C (45°F) in Glasgow and 7°C (45°F) in Shetland.

For specific regional insights in Scotland, refer to the map provided below.

Precipitation

In May, precipitation varies across different areas. From moderate rainfall in Shetland with an average of 52 mm (2 in) to high rainfall in Inverinate with 143 mm (5.6 in).

Average sunshine

Several destinations enjoy plenty of sunshine this month. Edinburgh sees close to 193 hours of sunlight, making it great for sun lovers.

Explore Scotland by month

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Best Places to Visit in Scotland in May

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

Conditions Temperatures Precipitation
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 May for some of the most popular destinations in Scotland?

Temperature range in Scotland (May)

Precipitation variation in Scotland (May)

Edinburgh

In May Edinburgh generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 15°C (59°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 7°C (45°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are tolerable that month.

« April
May
June »
April
May
June
Max temperature
12°C (54°F)
15°C (59°F)
18°C (64°F)
Min temperature
5°C (41°F)
7°C (45°F)
10°C (50°F)
Monthly sun hours
155 hours
193 hours
162 hours
Monthly rainfall
66 mm (2.6 in)
67 mm (2.6 in)
79 mm (3.1 in)
Monthly rainy days
15 days
16 days
14 days
Weather conditions
unpleasant
tolerable
pleasant
Climate in Edinburgh →

Aberdeen

In May Aberdeen generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 13°C (55°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 7°C (45°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are unpleasant that month.

« April
May
June »
April
May
June
Max temperature
11°C (52°F)
13°C (55°F)
15°C (59°F)
Min temperature
5°C (41°F)
7°C (45°F)
10°C (50°F)
Monthly sun hours
155 hours
203 hours
165 hours
Monthly rainfall
63 mm (2.5 in)
59 mm (2.3 in)
72 mm (2.8 in)
Monthly rainy days
17 days
16 days
15 days
Weather conditions
unpleasant
unpleasant
tolerable
Climate in Aberdeen →

Oban

In May Oban generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 14°C (57°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 7°C (45°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are unpleasant that month.

« April
May
June »
April
May
June
Max temperature
11°C (52°F)
14°C (57°F)
16°C (61°F)
Min temperature
5°C (41°F)
7°C (45°F)
10°C (50°F)
Monthly sun hours
145 hours
189 hours
174 hours
Monthly rainfall
131 mm (5.2 in)
128 mm (5 in)
134 mm (5.3 in)
Monthly rainy days
17 days
18 days
18 days
Weather conditions
poor
unpleasant
unpleasant
Climate in Oban →

Dundee

In May Dundee generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 15°C (59°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 7°C (45°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are tolerable that month.

« April
May
June »
April
May
June
Max temperature
12°C (54°F)
15°C (59°F)
18°C (64°F)
Min temperature
5°C (41°F)
7°C (45°F)
10°C (50°F)
Monthly sun hours
147 hours
193 hours
165 hours
Monthly rainfall
63 mm (2.5 in)
68 mm (2.7 in)
76 mm (3 in)
Monthly rainy days
14 days
15 days
13 days
Weather conditions
unpleasant
tolerable
pleasant
Climate in Dundee →

Shetland

In May Shetland generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 10°C (50°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 7°C (45°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

« April
May
June »
April
May
June
Max temperature
9°C (48°F)
10°C (50°F)
12°C (54°F)
Min temperature
6°C (43°F)
7°C (45°F)
9°C (48°F)
Monthly sun hours
130 hours
182 hours
147 hours
Monthly rainfall
67 mm (2.6 in)
52 mm (2 in)
60 mm (2.4 in)
Monthly rainy days
19 days
17 days
16 days
Weather conditions
poor
poor
unpleasant
Climate in Shetland →

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

Popular cities in May

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

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Edinburgh 15°C (59°F) 7°C (45°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Aberdeen 13°C (55°F) 7°C (45°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Oban 14°C (57°F) 7°C (45°F) 128 mm (5 in)
Dundee 15°C (59°F) 7°C (45°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Balmacara 14°C (57°F) 6°C (43°F) 137 mm (5.4 in)
Shetland 10°C (50°F) 7°C (45°F) 52 mm (2 in)

Scotland weather in May: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Scotland in May?

May in Scotland brings tolerable weather. In Edinburgh, daytime temperatures are typically around 15°C (59°F) and nighttime lows hover near 7°C (45°F).

What is the average temperature in Scotland in May?

Daytime temperatures in Edinburgh peak at roughly 15°C (59°F) in May, dropping to about 7°C (45°F) overnight.

Does Scotland get a lot of rain in May?

May is on the drier side in Scotland. Edinburgh averages only about 67 mm (2.6 in), with most days staying dry.

Is May a Good 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.

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.

Scotland’s West Coast - A Sailor’s Paradise

Whether you are looking to sail to an island to enjoy empty white sandy beaches or a rocky mountainous walk there is always a choice. Sailing is by far the best way to explore this area.
Must visit in Scotland →