Want you want to know what to wear in Scotland in Spring? Spring in Scotland is classified as March, April and May and is known for its changeable and rainy weather which makes it tricky to pack for. In this guide we tell you exactly what tp pack for cities like Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow as well as countryside locations.
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Weather in Scotland in Spring (March, April and May)
As with much of Europe in Spring, the weather in Scotland in Spring is very changeable. But what can you expect from Scottish weather in Spring in particular?
How cold is Scotland in Spring?
The average temperatures in Scotland in Spring are around 7°C/45°F – 13°C/55°F. March is obviously the coldest of the Spring months while May tends to be the warmest. However it really depends on where you visit as to how cold the weather is.
The southern cities are the warmest while cities in the North of Scotland such as Aberdeen and in the Cairngorms are still quite chilly even in Spring.
Therefore the key to any Scotland Spring packing list is layers.
How rainy is in Scotland in Spring?
No matter what season you are traveling to Scotland can be a pretty rainy place. On average in Spring you can get around 10-15 days of rain a month. And this can come as light April showers or downpours. For this reason it is essential you have waterproof clothing with you and waterproof shoes.
We also recommend always packing a travel compact umbrella. We recommend the Repel brand. As the wind in Scotland can get very strong, you need a compact umbrella that won’t break on a rainy day.
Does it snow in Scotland in Spring?
In Spring, you are unlikely to see snow in the cities, however on higher ground such as Cairngorms and Glencoe for instance there is still a chance of snowfall. Snow season in Scotland tends to run from November – April, so while you may still get snow in March or April here it is very unlikely in May
Note: For more specific guidance on what to wear in Scotland in Spring check out our regional guides:
- What to wear in Edinburgh in Spring.
- What to wear in Glasgow
- What to wear in the Cairngorms
Note: we always recommend checking the forecast at your destination(s) 7 days out from travel to make sure there are no expected weather fronts i.e. heatwaves or cold snaps.
How do local people dress in Scotland in Spring?
Depending on where you are traveling to in Scotland and during what month will depend on whether locals are wearing theirWinter Capsule Wardrob or have transitioned into their spring ones.
But whatever the season Scots tend to dress practically. So if you want to dress like locals in Scotland you should prioritise dressing for the weather before concerning yourself with fashion.
What to Wear in Scotland in Spring
When looking at what to pack for Scotland in Spring, layers are going to be your best friend no matter whether you are traveling in March, April or May.
What to Wear in Scotland in Spring for Women
Coat
Although, Winter has ended you will definitely still want a coat for Scotland in Spring. In March and Early April in particular you will want a thicker coat with some waterproofing. However, by May a lighter weight waterproof jacket is appropriate.
Trousers
I never travel to Scotland without jeans especially in Spring as they are the perfect weight trouser and work for most places.
One of the things I like about Germany is that you will see all sorts of styles on the city streets, therefore you can wear the type of jeans you are most comfortable in.
Alongside jeans I would also pack of smarter trousers too. One of my favorite travel pants of the moment is the Athleta Brooklyn ankle pant for travel which is great for restaurants and for airplane outfits.
Skirts and Dresses
As the weather begins to warm up skirts and dresses are more appropriate for daytime sightseeing. In March and early April, you may still want a sweater dress or jumper dress with tights however in May a wrap dress is a great pick!
Click here to shop dresses for Scotland in Spring.
Blouse
A loose blouse works for the evenings or days layered with a cardigan or sweater. As a personal style choice I like a floral blouse in pastel colors.
T Shirts
T Shirts are a great base for Scotland in Spring. And one of the great things about Scotland is that you can wear any style you want – patterned, neon, graphic or plain for instance.
Layer
Although winter is over you will still want lots of light layers as part of your packing list. We recommend lighter thinner layers as they are easier to pack and layer. Personally for Spring in Scotland the layers I pack are:
- a hoodie – great for daytime sightseeing in places such as museums
- a merino wool sweater – great for restaurants, and
- a cardigan – that can be used as a layer both day and night.
Shop layers for Scotland here.
However if you are traveling to Cairngorms or other Highland areas to go hiking in Scotland you will want Micro fibre fleeces and fleece lined leggings too.
Pashmina
It doesn’t matter where I am traveling to in Europe a pashmina is always on my packing list. A pashmina can be used as a scarf or lovely accessory but can double up as an added extra layer in Spring.
PJs, Underwear and Socks
What to pack for Scotland in Spring for Men
The packing list for men is quite similar as the ladies packing list for Scotland in Spring and we recommend packing:
Coat
The thickness will depend on whether you are traveling to Scotland in Early or Late Spring. But having something with waterproofing is a good idea in any Spring month.
T Shirts and Shirts
A mix of long and short sleeve t shirts is a good idea, as well as a button down shirt for fancier restaurants.
Chinos/ Jeans
Jeans are great for sightseeing in Spring. You may want to add a smarter pair of chinos or smart wool trousers to the packing list too for nights out and fancier dinners.
But if you plan to go hiking you will also want proper walking trousers.
Shop men’s travel chinos here.
Layers
A hoodie, jumper and sweater alongside the jacket are the perfect layers for 7 days in Scotland.
Underwear, Socks and Pjs
Goes without saying.
Best Shoes for Scotland in Spring
Sneakers
Sneakers are my number one shoe for Spring in any Scottish city. You will find many cobbled stone streets in Scotland as well as hilly areas and sneakers are the best shoe to cope with a variety of terrains.
My favorite sneaker brands for travel are Hoka and All birds. But I also love the versatility of a white sneaker especially in Spring when my wardrobe becomes more colourful and pastel. One of my favorite white sneaker is the Addidas Cloud Foam as I find them comfortable for walking long distances. But Ecco are great if you want a waterproof sneakers.
Ankle Boots
Ankle boots are definitely my next favorite shoe for Scotland. The weather is cold and can be rainy so a ankle boot is more appropriate than a sandal for most of Spring.
Note: hiking boots are only really necessary if you plan on going on hikes outside of the city.
What to pack for Scotland in Spring (Non Clothing)
- Crossbody Bag – unfortunately any tourist site attracts pickpockets and Scotland is no different. Protect your belongings by having a crossbody bag with lots of zips. My favorite brand of travel bag is travelon.
- Backpack – for storing items on your day trips.
- Travel adaptor – Scotland uses the traditional British plugs. So if you are coming from the Europe or USA etc you will need an adapter to make your electronics work.
- Power Pack / battery packs
- Sun screen
- Lipbalm
- Compact Umbrella – As it is quite windy in Scotland in Spring, we recommend packing a good robust travel umbrella. We recommend the original Repel umbrella.
- Sunglasses
- Camera
- Travel First Aid Kit
- Blister plasters
- Toiletries – for our essential toiletries packing list click here.
We hope this guide helps you to pack for Scotland in Spring, but if you have any questions drop them in the comments below!