May is one of the best months to visit the Scottish Highlands. The daylight is extraordinary, stretching to 9pm or beyond in northern Scotland by late May. The landscape is vividly green. And most importantly, the midges, the tiny biting insects that plague the Highlands from June through August, are not yet at their worst. If you're planning a Highlands trip, May deserves serious consideration over summer.

Weather

Temperatures range from 8°C to 14°C in May. The Highlands are cooler than the rest of Scotland, and weather can change rapidly. Sunshine, rain, and wind can all happen within an hour at altitude. Pack proper waterproofs, layers, and sturdy walking boots. That said, clear days in May produce some of the most dramatic Highland scenery imaginable, particularly around Glencoe, Torridon, and the Cairngorms.

Crowds and Prices

May is significantly quieter than summer. The North Coast 500, Scotland's famous coastal driving route, gets genuinely congested in July and August. In May, it's busy at popular spots but nothing like summer. Accommodation in Inverness, Fort William, and along the NC500 route is more available and cheaper than in peak season. Book ahead for the most sought-after rural spots, which fill up regardless of season.

What's On

NC500 campervans and motorhomes start appearing in significant numbers from May onwards. The route is spectacular but the most popular stopping points, Applecross, Duncansby Head, Smoo Cave, have limited parking and facilities. Arrive early at the most iconic viewpoints.

Balmoral Castle grounds open to visitors in late April and run through July when the royal family is not in residence. It's accessible from the A93 south of Braemar.

1 May is a public holiday in Scotland and the Beltane tradition is celebrated at various Highland locations.

One Thing to Watch

The midges are manageable in May but already present in sheltered, damp areas, particularly around lochs and woodland in the western Highlands. They are worst at dawn and dusk. Midges are genuinely unpleasant in numbers, and anyone who has tried to eat dinner outside at a Highland campsite in June will tell you that. In May, a midge net and repellent are worth carrying as insurance, but you're unlikely to need them the way you would in July.

The Scottish Highlands in May reward the visitor who respects the scale of the landscape and plans properly.