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When to go · Edinburgh

Edinburgh in January

Mixed month. Outside the best window (May–Sep). Across United Kingdom: Short grey days, sales and cheap hotels; good for London museums and theatre, poor for the Highlands.

Key facts

Verdict
Mixed
Temperature
7°C (45°F) / 2°C (36°F)
average high / low
Rain days
13
Crowds
Low
United Kingdom overall
Prices
Low
United Kingdom overall

Verdict

MixedUnited Kingdom month rating

Outside the best window (May–Sep). Across United Kingdom: Short grey days, sales and cheap hotels; good for London museums and theatre, poor for the Highlands.

Is another month better than January?

January is rated mixed. These months rate higher:

Weather in January

Long-term averages
  • EdinburghHighs around 7 °C (45 °F), lows around 2 °C (36 °F), rain on about 13 days
  • Scotland, United Kingdom · Edinburgh, Glasgow, Highlands, Skyestorm or typhoon risk

    18+ hours of daylight in June; midges in the west from June to August; winter gales cancel ferries and close high roads.

Festivals and holidays

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

  • New Year

    1 Jan (+2 Jan in Scotland) · United Kingdom

    Hogmanay in Edinburgh on 31 Dec needs tickets; reduced transport on 1 Jan.

Crowds and prices

Crowds · United Kingdom overall
Low
Prices · United Kingdom overall
Low

United Kingdom overall: Short grey days, sales and cheap hotels; good for London museums and theatre, poor for the Highlands.

Compare two months

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Edinburgh, side by side.

  • Verdict

    Jan: Mixed

    May: Great (better)

  • Daytime high

    Jan: 7 °C (45 °F)

    May: 15 °C (59 °F)

  • Night low

    Jan: 2 °C (36 °F)

    May: 7 °C (45 °F)

  • Rain days

    Jan: 13

    May: 11 (better)

  • Crowds

    Jan: Low

    May: Medium

  • Prices

    Jan: Low

    May: Medium

  • Festivals listed

    Jan: 1

    May: 0

January: Outside the best window (May–Sep). Across United Kingdom: Short grey days, sales and cheap hotels; good for London museums and theatre, poor for the Highlands.

May: Inside Edinburgh's best window: May–Sep.

Edinburgh: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.

What to pack

  • A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
  • A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast
  • A spare day in the plan: storms can cancel flights and ferries

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Across United Kingdom in January →