We've been thinking about taking a nice trip over Christmas break, and my husband has suddenly gotten the bug to go to Scotland. I would love to visit Scotland but I'm worried that it will be hard to enjoy because of the weather. We don't mind it cold, but we are outdoorsy people and if we will have to stay inside all the time, that won't be much fun. Actually, it's not so much just the cold I'm worried about, but also the wet weather.

Anyway, what's your opinion? He would like to travel around Scotland (we are thinking about Dec 27 - Jan 4 or something similar). He really wants to see the Isle of Iona as well.

Any advice would be much appreciated!

Well, you are unlikely to be required to stay indoors. We usually find we get a snowfall between Christmas and New Year, and that can make it stunningly beautiful.

I wouldn't expect it to be warm- 4-5 daytime and below zero at night. Give or take the really bad winter 10 or so years ago, -8 to -9 would be about normal. But you're not likely to be out of doors at night (are you?), most places are centrally heated and there's nothing better than a fine meal in front of a roaring fire.

Having said that, the ferries can be disrupted, so plan for Iona, but have a fall back. Note that the ferries don't sail on the 25th or the 1st and the service is restricted on the 26th and 2nd. The restricted timetable is already on the web site.

If you're actually a birder, I can help with places to go. How about a New Year's Day list from Scotland?

A trip to Edinburgh or to Glasgow or Edinburgh and Glasgow would be fine - but Edinburgh has one of the most popular New Year's celebrations in the world and things book up far ahead. If your dates include about Dec 28 - Jan 2 you need to book a place immediately if not sooner.

I LOVE Mull/Iona but it isn't a place i would plan on visiting in late Dec - or really any remote part of Scotland. The weather is just too iffy and the ferry journeys can be too rough.

I assume this is your first visit -- I would not hesitate taking a city-based trip w/ maybe a day trip to Stirling and/or a day trip to St Andrews if the weather cooperates.

W/ the iffy weather, VERY short days (Sunrise around 8:30 a.m. and Sunset about 3:30 p.m.) and many sites out in the countryside closed for the winter, I wouldn't explore much and just stick w/ Edinburgh

For the record, Sheila means 0 degrees Celsius.

I hae to disagree with janis on this one. I have take trips to remote rural Scotland every New Year for over 20 years, with a group of friends. It's tru to say that we have, since teh first year, avoided staying on islands, because if the fear we couldn't get off- not that it's happened- but we have a track record of day trips, especially to Mull.

We stayed 4 years in a row in Morven in West Argyll, and visited Mull each time- on the short crossing from Lochaline. But our host got stuck on Colonsay one year till Hogmanay, and, having made it back to Tobermory, he then got stuck there another 2 days. Just be sensible. The weather forecast is pretty reliable.

Scotland's countryside in winter is fantastic. The further you are from cities the better it is. The holiday good cheer added to natural Scottish hospitality can make it a superb experience

Doing the Hogmanay thing in Edinburgh would be a good option if you like big growds, action and street parties, but that would be 2 days max in my book.

I agree w/ you Sheila. I love Scotland in the winter. And it is possible to have a wonderful trip into the countryside. I have been and will again I'm sure. My post was from the point of view of a first ever visitor.

For instance I am a radio/telly junkie when I'm in the UK (so glad BBC radio streams on the internet and I can keep up even from here in California - heck I even listen to the shipping reports ) Point being that I natives/regulars can keep abreast of weather conditions and can alter plans at the last minute as needed.

But a first timer will be less likely to be up on road closures, ferry cancellations, locations of black spots etc.

While not December, I did go last November. No rain, but very cold if not in direct sun. Did thr ferry to Mull from Oban then bus to Tombermory. Walked the small town, had lunch and a return. Very good place to eat on the water front. Also visited Melrose.

Thanks, everyone, I feel much better about this now! I'm glad to hear my concerns were misplaced. We are not into big crowds, so I think we will try to avoid Edinburgh for New Years. We would really like to get out into the country side. And thanks for the warning about the ferries! We'll have to think about Iona....

We'll be in Scotland too during winter - from 19 to 25 Jan, have no idea either what to expect weather wise, but whatever happens, we'll cope with it. Hope you have a great time there. I have only been once before and that was during spring time, it's beautiful.

I was in Scotland for three weeks during Dec 02 to Jan 03. It was odd weather, in the 50s one week, and light snow some of the other days. You just never can tell.

I loved being in the warm, cozy pubs And we had a great trip up North to the Slain's Castle ruins on the coast, and it was actually sunny and not too cold that day.

Spent Hogmany in Aberdeen and it was great fun, not too many big crowds, just right. Got engaged that night too.

I'm excited for you.
~amelie