Luxury Motorhomes

All Less Than 2 Years Old

Scotland's Highest Rated

Over 200 5★ Google Reviews

Book Online

Quick and Easy Booking System

Price Promise

We'll Match Any Like-For-Like Quote

10 Reasons to Visit Scotland in Winter

Scotland is a fantastic destination to visit throughout the year, with every season offering a unique experience. Winter is no different, and although you may have to wrap up warm, it’s well worth it to see Scotland dusted in snow and enjoy the incredible range of events on offer.

1 Fairytale Castles Dusted in Snow

Heartland Arts – stock.adobe.com

Scotland’s castles are spectacular at any time of year, but to add an extra bit of wonder they should be seen in winter. Edinburgh Castle perched above the city looks that little bit more romantic when dusted white, and the same goes for castles across the country such as Stirling Castle, and the fairy-tale like Dunrobin Castle.

2 Thrilling Winter Sports

Scotland has a wide range of winter sports you can enjoy, with five mountain snowsport centres there’s no shortage of slopes to test yourself on. Skiing and snowboarding are of course the main attraction when it comes to winter sports, but there’s a range of other winter sports you can try out. From ice wall climbing and sled dog safaris to the more mellow snowshoeing and curling, there’s something for everyone.

3 Incredible Winter Wildlife

Colin – stock.adobe.com

If you’re keen to snap the perfect picture then Scotland’s winter wildlife makes the perfect subject. Red Deer look majestic in the snow-dusted hills, while the elusive Ptarmigan is found in mountain crags along with the difficult to spot, white Arctic Hare. Wildlife tours give you the best chance of sighting animals, they’re available at locations across the country.

4 Celebrate Hogmanay in Style

Scotland has made New Year celebrations its own with Hogmanay, one of the highlights of winter. The celebrations in Edinburgh are world famous, with the castle bathed in light, a spectacular fireworks show and live music all night long. Wherever you are in Scotland you’ll find special events on and around Hogmanay that include torchlight and fireball processions, street parties, and even those that include taking a ‘dook’ in Scotland’s icy waters on New Years Day.

5 Spectacular Landscapes

Richard Johnson – stock.adobe.com

The great outdoors is central to a winter holiday in Scotland. Snow-capped mountains, deep, dark lochs, and snow-dusted forests make for scenes that take your breath away. Wrapping yourself up to stay warm and going for a long walk in Scotland’s winter wonderland is the perfect way to clear your head, especially if you’ve been visiting busy cities and landmarks on your trip.

6 Indulge in Scottish Comfort Food

The fact that Scotland has long had harsh winters means that the nation’s cuisine includes hearty comfort food. From the warming Scotch broth and cock-a-leekie soup to the simplicity of haggis, neeps and tatties, you will be filled and satisfied. Winter is also game season, so it’s the perfect time to enjoy venison, pheasant and partridge. If you have a sweet tooth you may also want to enjoy Scotland’s sugary puddings, such as butterscotch, tablet, and clootie dumpling. Of course we can’t forget Scotland’s most famous winter warmer for those cold nights, Scotch whisky.

7 Experience the Wonder of the Northern Lights

Oliver Taylor – stock.adobe.com

Experiencing the Northern Lights is on many a bucket list, and Scotland has some fantastic locations to catch sight of the amazing displays. The long dark nights and a variety of secluded spots away from city lights, Scotland gives you a great chance of seeing the ‘mirrie dancers’ as they are called locally. Of course, there are no guarantees, but the further north you head, the more chance you have.

8 Celebrate Burn’s Night With Haggis and a Dram

January is often seen as a quiet month in the aftermath of the Christmas and Hogmanay celebrations, and Scotland is still in the grip of winter. However, Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns, was born on the 26th of January, giving the perfect excuse for a celebration that includes haggis, whisky, bagpipes, and, of course, reciting Burns’ poetry.

9 St Andrew’s Day Celebration

movieaboutyou – stock.adobe.com

Scotland does celebrating really well, and St Andrew’s Day (30 November) is no exception. St Andrew is Scotland’s patron saint, and this day is used to showcase the best of Scottish culture. There is a diverse programme of festivals and special events across the country around this date, including traditional Scottish music, dance, food and drink.

10 Winter Markets

Many of Scotland’s towns and cities are turned into an incredible winter wonderland with twinkling lights, mouth-watering food, and plenty of fun activities. Edinburgh is a perfect example of this transformation from November to January, with buildings adorned in decorations, an oval ice rink, panoramic views from the big wheel, a number of festive fairground rides, and Santa’s Grotto.

Travel Scotland in Style in a Luxury Motorhome Hire

If you want to see Scotland when it is a winter wonderland, there is no better way to get around the country than a luxury motorhome hire. You can travel with freedom in complete comfort and warmth, stopping wherever your trip takes you. Take a look at our motorhomes for hire and plan your winter adventure.

Scroll to Top