Inverness

Highlands Weather in May

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in the Highlands, the United Kingdom in May.

Thinking about venturing to the Highlands, the United Kingdom this May and curious about the weather conditions to expect? This page holds all the key information you seek, responding to your question:

What to Expect in the Highlands in May

The Highlands, the United Kingdom is a region in the United Kingdom. May in the Highlands 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 John O Groats at 11°C (52°F) and mild in Ardersier at 15°C (59°F). As night falls, temperatures generally drop to 7°C (45°F) in Ardersier and 8°C (46°F) in John O Groats.

To explore the conditions in the Highlands, the United Kingdom in more detail, check the map below.

Precipitation

In May, precipitation varies across different areas. From moderate rainfall in John O Groats with an average of 60 mm (2.4 in) to high rainfall in Glenfinnan with 137 mm (5.4 in).

Average sunshine

Sunshine levels are moderate in most locations. Inverness typically sees 178 hours of sunlight, creating comfortable conditions that aren't too bright or too dim. Looking for something sunnier? Our weather planner helps you discover destinations with more reliable sunshine.

Explore the Highlands by month

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

Best Places to Visit in the Highlands in May

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

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 the Highlands

What is the weather like in May for some of the most popular destinations in the Highlands, the United Kingdom?

Temperature range in the Highlands (May)

Precipitation variation in the Highlands (May)

Inverness

In May Inverness generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 15°C (59°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 6°C (43°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are tolerable that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
12°C (54°F)
15°C (59°F)
17°C (63°F)
Min temperature
4°C (39°F)
6°C (43°F)
9°C (48°F)
Monthly sun hours
137 hours
178 hours
145 hours
Monthly rainfall
76 mm (3 in)
79 mm (3.1 in)
85 mm (3.3 in)
Monthly rainy days
16 days
16 days
15 days
Weather conditions

Fort William

In May Fort William generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 14°C (57°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 5°C (41°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are unpleasant that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
11°C (52°F)
14°C (57°F)
16°C (61°F)
Min temperature
3°C (37°F)
5°C (41°F)
8°C (46°F)
Monthly sun hours
145 hours
189 hours
174 hours
Monthly rainfall
125 mm (4.9 in)
130 mm (5.1 in)
131 mm (5.2 in)
Monthly rainy days
18 days
19 days
19 days
Weather conditions

Fort Augustus

In May Fort Augustus generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 14°C (57°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 5°C (41°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are unpleasant that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
10°C (50°F)
14°C (57°F)
16°C (61°F)
Min temperature
2°C (36°F)
5°C (41°F)
8°C (46°F)
Monthly sun hours
137 hours
178 hours
145 hours
Monthly rainfall
97 mm (3.8 in)
101 mm (4 in)
101 mm (4 in)
Monthly rainy days
19 days
19 days
18 days
Weather conditions

Nairn

In May Nairn 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.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
12°C (54°F)
15°C (59°F)
17°C (63°F)
Min temperature
5°C (41°F)
7°C (45°F)
10°C (50°F)
Monthly sun hours
137 hours
178 hours
145 hours
Monthly rainfall
69 mm (2.7 in)
73 mm (2.9 in)
82 mm (3.2 in)
Monthly rainy days
16 days
16 days
15 days
Weather conditions

Drumnadrochit

In May Drumnadrochit generally has moderate temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 14°C (57°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 5°C (41°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are tolerable that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
11°C (52°F)
14°C (57°F)
16°C (61°F)
Min temperature
3°C (37°F)
5°C (41°F)
8°C (46°F)
Monthly sun hours
137 hours
178 hours
145 hours
Monthly rainfall
80 mm (3.1 in)
84 mm (3.3 in)
85 mm (3.3 in)
Monthly rainy days
18 days
17 days
17 days
Weather conditions

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in the Highlands, in the United Kingdom.

Popular cities in May

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

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Inverness 15°C (59°F) 6°C (43°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Fort William 14°C (57°F) 5°C (41°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Fort Augustus 14°C (57°F) 5°C (41°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Nairn 15°C (59°F) 7°C (45°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Drumnadrochit 14°C (57°F) 5°C (41°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Grantown on Spey 14°C (57°F) 5°C (41°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)

The Highlands weather in May: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in the Highlands, the United Kingdom in May?

May in the Highlands, the United Kingdom brings tolerable weather. In Inverness, daytime temperatures are typically around 15°C (59°F) and nighttime lows hover near 6°C (43°F).

What is the average temperature in the Highlands, the United Kingdom in May?

Average temperatures in the Highlands, the United Kingdom during May range from a nighttime low near 6°C (43°F) to a daytime high around 15°C (59°F) in Inverness.

Does the Highlands, the United Kingdom get a lot of rain in May?

May is on the drier side in the Highlands, the United Kingdom. Inverness averages only about 79 mm (3.1 in), with most days staying dry.

Is May a Good Time to Visit the Highlands, the United Kingdom?

Given the typically tolerable weather conditions in Inverness, May might be a good time to visit the Highlands, the United Kingdom. However, the weather conditions may vary depending on your destination.

Generally speaking, July and August provide pleasant weather in Inverness. The weather in January, February, March, November and December, on the other hand, tends to be poor.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in the Highlands.

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

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.