Daylight hours in Scotland by month
What to expect in winter and summer, and how light affects Highland travel. Month-by-month guidance.
Scotland sits far north. That means big seasonal swings in daylight. In high summer you get long, light evenings and early dawns. In midwinter the opposite: short days and long twilights. It affects how you plan tours, drives and activities. Below is a simple month-by-month guide and how we think about light when designing trips.
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Approximate daylight by month
Approximate hours of daylight for central Scotland. The north (Highlands, islands) has slightly longer summer days and shorter winter days. All figures are rounded.
January
About 7–8 hours
February
About 9–10 hours
March
About 11–12 hours
April
About 13–14 hours
May
About 15–16 hours
June
About 17–18 hours (longest days)
July
About 16–17 hours
August
About 14–15 hours
September
About 12–13 hours
October
About 10–11 hours
November
About 8–9 hours
December
About 6–7 hours (shortest days)
Summer long days and winter short days
Summer
From May to August you get 15–18 hours of daylight in the north. Twilight lasts well into the evening. It is ideal for long days out and late stops. Just remember that "night" is brief; if you need darkness to sleep, bring an eye mask.
Winter
November to January you have roughly six to eight hours of daylight. Plan one or two main activities and finish driving before dark. The low angle of the sun can make the landscape very photogenic. Road conditions are more likely to be affected by ice and snow.
How daylight impacts touring and driving
We time our tours around the light. In summer that might mean a late run to a viewpoint; in winter it means an early start and a clear plan so you are not on single-track roads after dark. When you travel with us, we build the day around the hours you have and the conditions you will meet.
FAQ
Does Scotland really stay light late in summer?
Yes. In June and July in the north, it stays twilight until after 10 pm and light again by 4 am. You can have long days of sightseeing. It is one of the best reasons to visit in summer.
Is winter too dark for touring?
Not necessarily. December and January give only six to seven hours of daylight, so you need to plan around it. Start early, focus on one or two stops, and enjoy the low light. Many guests find winter atmospheric. Just allow for short days when planning routes.
When do the long days start and end?
Daylight grows quickly from March. By May you have long evenings. June has the longest days. By August the evenings draw in noticeably. September still has plenty of light; October feels much shorter.
Does the north get more daylight in summer?
Yes. The further north you go, the longer the summer days and the shorter the winter ones. Inverness and the Highlands have longer twilight than Edinburgh. Shetland has the extremes: midsummer nights that never get fully dark, and midwinter days with only a few hours of weak light.
How does daylight affect driving in the Highlands?
In winter, plan to finish driving before dark. Single-track roads and wildlife are harder to deal with in the dark. In summer you have more flexibility but still allow time for unexpected stops. We plan tour timings around the light so you see the best of the scenery in daylight.
What about photography and golden hour?
In summer, golden hour can be very late (or very early). In winter it falls in the middle of the day. If you are chasing light, the season changes when and where you need to be. We build in flexible timing on photography-focused trips.
Is it worth visiting Scotland in December?
Yes, if you accept short days. You get festive atmosphere, fewer visitors and dramatic light. Plan around six to seven hours of daylight: one or two main activities, then early dinners and cosy evenings. Road conditions can be affected by snow and ice; check before you travel.
Plan your trip around the light
Private chauffeur and guided tours from Inverness. We work with the seasons and the daylight.