The best time to visit Edinburgh
There is no single best month. April to September gives you longer castle hours and the warmest days, with July and August the warmest of the year. Winter days are cooler and the castle closes an hour earlier. Rain falls in every month, and the castle can close because of weather in any season.
If the castle is your main reason to come, aim for April to June or September, when the castle keeps its longer opening hours. The castle warns that tickets in summer can sell out early, so book a time slot first and fit the rest around it. You can compare slots and prices on the Edinburgh Castle tickets page.
Edinburgh weather by month, with castle hours
Met Office averages for Edinburgh-Gogarbank, 1991 to 2020, and the castle's seasonal opening hours.
| Month | Average high (°C) | Average low (°C) | Rain (mm) | Castle hours (last entry) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6.9 | 1.5 | 73.0 | 09:30–17:00 (16:00), 1 Jan from 11:00 |
| February | 7.5 | 1.6 | 61.1 | 09:30–17:00 (16:00) |
| March | 9.3 | 2.7 | 52.5 | 09:30–17:00 (16:00) |
| April | 12.0 | 4.3 | 45.9 | 09:30–18:00 (17:00) |
| May | 14.9 | 6.7 | 50.2 | 09:30–18:00 (17:00) |
| June | 17.5 | 9.4 | 68.8 | 09:30–18:00 (17:00) |
| July | 19.4 | 11.0 | 71.9 | 09:30–18:00 (17:00) |
| August | 19.2 | 11.0 | 74.7 | 09:30–18:00 (17:00) |
| September | 16.9 | 9.4 | 55.2 | 09:30–18:00 (17:00) |
| October | 13.2 | 6.5 | 82.7 | 09:30–17:00 (16:00) |
| November | 9.5 | 3.6 | 73.7 | 09:30–17:00 (16:00) |
| December | 7.0 | 1.4 | 74.9 | 09:30–17:00 (16:00), 24 Dec closes 16:00, 25 and 26 Dec closed |
The weather figures are long-term averages from a station outside the Old Town, not a forecast for your dates and not a measurement on the exposed castle rock. Expect it to feel colder and windier on the hill than the table suggests. In these averages April is the driest month and October the wettest. For most visitors, May, June and September balance mild days with the longer April-to-September castle hours.
Our pick: a dry-day trip out
Our take: on a clear day, Loch Lomond and Stirling make an easy outing.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in British pounds (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Edinburgh Castle tickets and tours for any season
Castle entry, Royal Mile walks and day trips, with live prices and availability.
Edinburgh by season
What changes through the year.
Spring (March to May)
The castle closes at 17:00 in March and at 18:00 from 1 April. April is the driest month in the averages, and highs rise from 9.3 °C in March to 14.9 °C in May. A good time for the walk up the Royal Mile and for the rooms inside the castle.
Summer (June to August)
The warmest months, with highs of 17.5 to 19.4 °C. Castle hours run from 09:30 to 18:00 and the One O'Clock Gun fires at 13:00 except on Sundays, Good Friday and Christmas Day. Summer castle tickets can sell out early, so book ahead. August is the month of the Military Tattoo.
Autumn (September to November)
September is mild at 16.9 °C. From 1 October the castle closes at 17:00 with last entry at 16:00, and October is the wettest month at 82.7 mm. Take a waterproof jacket in every autumn month.
Winter (December to February)
Highs of 6.9 to 7.5 °C and lows of about 1.5 °C. The castle is open on a shorter day. It is closed on 25 and 26 December, it closes at 16:00 on 24 December and it opens at 11:00 on 1 January. Plan the castle first, since the opening hours are shorter.
The Military Tattoo in August 2027
The 2026 edition is over. The next one, The Same Heart Beat, runs from 6 to 28 August 2027 on the Esplanade. Shows are mostly on weekday evenings at 21:30, on Saturdays at 18:15 and 21:30, and not on Sundays. Each lasts about 90 minutes. Tickets are sold only through the official Tattoo box office, so avoid resellers. Read the Military Tattoo guide for the arena rules. The Esplanade is restricted for the stands from May to October. Check room availability early if your dates fall in August.
Plan the rest of your trip
For other parts of Scotland, the weather will differ.
Opening hours and last entry
The full seasonal calendar for the castle.
Where to stay in Edinburgh
Areas, and the Visitor Levy.
How to get to the castle
Walking, tram, bus and the airport.
If you plan to leave the city for the lochs and hills, check the Loch Lomond weather page too, since conditions outside Edinburgh can be quite different.
Best time to visit Edinburgh: frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Edinburgh?
For the castle, May, June and September combine mild days with the longer April-to-September opening hours. Winter is cooler and the castle closes an hour earlier.
What is the warmest month in Edinburgh?
July, with an average high of 19.4 °C and an average low of 11.0 °C, based on 1991 to 2020 averages. August is almost as warm at 19.2 °C.
Which month is the driest and which is the wettest?
In the 1991 to 2020 averages April is the driest month with 45.9 mm and October the wettest with 82.7 mm. These are averages and not a forecast.
Is Edinburgh Castle open all year?
Yes, with a seasonal calendar. It is closed on 25 and 26 December. It can also close at short notice because of weather in any season, so check before you travel.
When is the next Military Tattoo?
From 6 to 28 August 2027. The 2026 edition is over. Buy tickets only from the official Tattoo box office.
Is this the official Edinburgh Castle website?
No. This is an independent travel guide, not the website of Historic Environment Scotland, Edinburgh Castle or the Tattoo organisers.