Winter in Ireland & Scotland
The best time to travel in Ireland and Scotland for quiet and calm, punctuated by dashes of sparkling festivities, is winter. The stillness of the cozy season contains bright holiday celebrations and abundant luxuries with a sense of magic woven throughout. Whether you are doing solo travel or taking a family vacation for Christmas, this is an ideal time of year to see the Celtic Isles.
We invite you to come, visit us in an unhurried season filled with the heart of our warmth, famed hospitality and Celtic charm. What you can expect is indulgent castle stays with the grounds all to yourself. Cozying up by an ancient fireplace to sip on your favorite drink, strolling the rows of glittering Christmas market stalls bursting with artisan crafts, treats and trinkets begging to be taken home. There’s no better way to see the delights of winter than with the magic of Celtic travel.
Discover Winter
Winter Highlights in Ireland and Scotland
Christmas Markets
A brilliant Christmas Market transforms Galway’s town square into a festive sparkling holiday wonderland. Edinburgh's glittering Christmas Market takes over the Princes Street Gardens filling it with stalls offering artisan gifts and treats.
Waterford City’s Winterval
This is the biggest Christmas Festival in Ireland running from mid-November until just a few days before Christmas.
Hogamanay
The traditional celebration of New Year’s Eve in Scotland is filled with singing and dancing in the streets, music and fireworks.
Celtic Winter Weather & Temps
Normal Monthly Rainfall
Ireland: 13 days
Scotland: 13 days
Daylight Hours
Dec. -7, Jan. - 7, Feb. - 9
Temperatures
Ireland: Dec. - 48f / 8c, Jan. - 47f / 8c, Feb. - 47f / 8c
Scotland: Dec. - 44f / 6c, Jan. - 42f / 5c, Feb. - 48f / 8c
Top Winter Travel Tip
Winter chills in Ireland and Scotland are usually not very deep but add in the wind and the moisture (these ARE islands) and you’ll be needing some layers to help keep and then vent heat as you go about your exploring. Don’t pack the heaviest coat you have, but make sure you can stay warm. You want to be able to move about, especially as you wander the Christmas markets that are set up in the heart of every major city and town.
Winter Packing Essentials
Warm sweater, Middleweight coat, Gloves and a warm hat or cap, Extra socks, Boots or other sturdy shoes.
Cozy up in a Castle
A 5-star luxury stay in a castle is probably the best gift you can give yourself and your family. Winter offers the availability for legendary service to award-winning dining, bountiful activities and entertainment on the estates, what better way to warm yourself in winter than inside a 5-star luxury castle hotel like Ashford or Dromoland?
Winter Skywatching in Ireland and Scotland
Where can you see the Northern Lights? In the Celtic Isles if the weather is right. During winter, the nights are darker, longer and on occasion, giving a little festive sparkle of their own. Northern Ireland and Scotland are the best places to see the Northern Lights in our homelands and there are abundant places that are ideal for skywatching – just be sure to bundle up!
Top Trips for Winter in Ireland and Winter in Scotland
Best Winter Travel Experiences
Johnnie Walkers Journey of Flavors
Irish Coffee at Foyne’s Flying Boat Museum
Jacobite Steam Train (Hogwarts Express)
Best Places to stay in Ireland & Scotland in Winter
