Spring holidays & breaks in Scotland

Alongside our sparkling towns, villages and cities to visit, spring in Scotland brings a lively calendar of events and festivals to get involved in and enjoy, no matter where you decide to visit!

• Glasgow Film Festival, 24 February – 7 March 2027 – this award-winning festival screens hundreds of films and productions, new and old, from around the world to celebrate the electric spectrum of cinema.
• Kirkcudbright Book Festival, March 2027 – dive into this annual literary festival that showcases and honours all forms of written word. From poetry, novels and short stories to Scottish history, children’s authors and more.
• Glasgow International Comedy Festival, 10 – 28 March 2027 – when one of the funniest cities in the world hosts a comedy festival, you know it’s a must-do! Choose from hundreds of acts and performances at 39 venues across Scotland's largest city.
• Inverness International Blues Festival, March 2027 – seven legendary blues artists from around the world descend on the Highland capital for a vibrant and atmospheric event, showcasing the some of the best blues talent from across the globe.
• Edinburgh Science Festival, 3 – 18 April 2027 – step into the UK’s largest science festival with a vast programme full of exhibitions, events, workshops, performances, screenings, kids' activities and more.
• Glasgow Coffee Festival, April 2027 – coffee lovers are in for a treat! Head to Glasgow for a caffeine-filled weekend of tastings, talks, workshops, and demonstrations, where you can discover new brews, learn brewing techniques, and celebrate everything coffee.

• Paisley Food & Drink Festival, April 2027 – tuck into a weekend of top street food vendors from across Scotland, alongside fantastic local traders, live music and more to enjoy.
• Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, 28 April – 3 May 2027 – whisky lovers from across the globe descend on Speyside during Whisky Month to sample rare drams, uncover the stories behind Scotland’s finest whiskies, and enjoy a host of events celebrating Scotland's national drink.
• Beltane Fire Festival, 30 April 2027 – this annual festival is steeped in Iron Age Celtic rituals and community spirit, celebrating the birth of summer and fertility of the lands across Scotland.
• Culture Night Stirling, 30 April 2027 – join in this city-wide event celebrating the creativity and cultural diversity of Stirling’s communities. The programme will showcase music, dance, comedy, visual arts, crafts, literature, and food, with museums, galleries, attractions, bars, and community venues coming together to put on a collaborative cultural experience. 
• Orkney Folk Festival, 27 – 30 May 2027 – this volunteer-run event showcases musicians and performances from the USA, Canada, Finland, Ireland, England and Scotland across a vibrant weekend on the Orkney Isles.
• Fèis Ìle - The Islay Festival, 28 May – 6 June 2027 – celebrate the culture, sound and spirit of the Isle of Islay across this 10-day festival featuring a combination of tastings, tours, beaches, walks, ceilidhs, and live music.

March

March is the month when Scotland’s landscapes and wildlife come back to life, with our award-winning attractions reopening after the winter too, it’s a great time to visit. One of our top-pick destinations for March is Aberdeenshire. Full of castles, historic buildings and stately homes, you can follow along Scotland’s Castle Trail to tick off 19 of these marvels. Elsewhere, make sure you discover the miles of majestic coastline, take the binoculars with you to help spot all the birdlife nearby, and don’t forget to tuck into the local seafood whilst you’re here too.

Keep reading to find more destinations to visit in March

April

Plan your trip to Scotland in April and you’ll be greeted with longer and lighter days, the country blooming back into life, and a vibrant range of events and festivals to enjoy. There are plenty of places to visit in April, but getting out and exploring the islands is a must-do. The Isle of Mull offers a relaxing pace with magical sandy shores, stunning natural beauty, and island paths to explore. Keep your eyes peeled for the wildlife that call the island home, or plan a ferry trip across to one of the neighbouring islands for an island-hopping adventure. The Isle of Iona is steeped in dramatic history, just waiting to be explored.

Keep reading to find more destinations to visit in April

May

May in Scotland brings spring in full swing, with lively events, warmer temperatures, landscapes bursting into bloom and plenty of opportunities to enjoy Scottish culture too. If you’re looking for new ideas for your trip or some holiday inspiration, you're in the right place. With a trip to the Highlands in May, you are spoilt for choice! From whisky tastings, festivals and beautiful landscapes to explore on foot or by bike, to unique steam train journeys and the magic of the Cairngorms National Park, the Highlands offer something for everyone this month.

Keep reading to find more destinations to visit in May