When to go

St Andrews and Fife: month by month

Average temperature, rainfall, sunshine and daylight for each month, what to pack, and the bank holidays that can change crowds and prices. Averages are Met Office 1991-2020 figures, not a forecast.

St Andrews and Fife guide · Rainy-day ideas in St Andrews and Fife

The ruined west turrets of St Andrews Cathedral and the square St Rule's Tower on the cathedral lawn
The ruined west turrets of St Andrews Cathedral and the square St Rule's Tower on the cathedral lawnPhoto: Steven1991, CC BY-SA 4.0
Craigtoun Country Park, St Andrews
Outdoors: Craigtoun Country ParkPhoto: colin mcadam, CC BY-SA 2.0
Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum, Dunfermline and the Forth
Under a roof: Andrew Carnegie Birthplace MuseumPhoto: Stanley Howe, CC BY-SA 2.0

For a dry day and a wet one: photos from our guide, with where to find each place.

St Andrews and Fife climate by month

Warmest month: July (highs about 19°C). Coolest: January (about 7°C). Wettest: October (80 mm). Driest: April (44 mm).

Station: Leuchars. Mean daily maximum and minimum, rainfall, days with 1 mm or more, sunshine hours and day length.
MonthMax °CMin °CRain mmRain daysSun hoursDaylight
January6.80.76312627 h 30
February7.71.04710909 h 23
March9.62.146912911 h 48
April11.83.844816914 h 13
May14.56.1501020916 h 28
June17.19.1631118317 h 41
July19.310.9641118517 h 01
August19.010.7691117115 h 02
September16.89.054913912 h 34
October13.26.2801210510 h 10
November9.52.96812798 h 03
December7.00.96312546 h 53

Source: Met Office, Leuchars, 1991-2020 averages (Open Government Licence v3.0). Daylight is calculated from the latitude of St Andrews and Fife for the 15th of each month. Leuchars is on the coast about 8 km north-west of St Andrews, so these figures describe north-east Fife; Dunfermline and the Forth shore in the west are not covered by this station.

Pick a month

Choose a month for what to expect, what to pack and the bank holidays. Without JavaScript every month is listed below.

January in St Andrews and Fife

1–7°CTypical night to day
63 mmRain, 12 days
7 h 30Daylight
62 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 6.8°C at the warmest and nights 0.7°C at the coolest.
  • About 63 mm of rain falls over roughly 12 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 62 hours of sunshine in the month and 7 h 30 of daylight in the middle of the month.
  • This is the coolest month on average.

Planning

  • Short days (about 7 h 30 of daylight): plan outdoor sights for the middle of the day and keep evenings for museums, food and shows.
  • Averaging about 62 hours of sunshine in the month, so keep an indoor back-up for each day (see our rainy-day guide).

What to pack

  • A warm coat, hat and gloves, with thermal or wool layers underneath.
  • Shoes with a good grip for cold mornings.
  • A light waterproof or a compact umbrella: about 12 days a month see 1 mm or more.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays in Jan

  • Fri, 1 Jan 2027: New Year’s Day
  • Mon, 4 Jan 2027: 2nd January
  • Mon, 3 Jan 2028: New Year’s Day
  • Tue, 4 Jan 2028: 2nd January

February in St Andrews and Fife

1–8°CTypical night to day
47 mmRain, 10 days
9 h 23Daylight
90 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 7.7°C at the warmest and nights 1.0°C at the coolest.
  • About 47 mm of rain falls over roughly 10 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 90 hours of sunshine in the month and 9 h 23 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • About 9 h 23 of daylight: enough for a full day out, but check sunset if you plan a viewpoint or a long walk.

What to pack

  • A warm coat, hat and gloves, with thermal or wool layers underneath.
  • Shoes with a good grip for cold mornings.
  • A light waterproof or a compact umbrella: about 10 days a month see 1 mm or more.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays in Feb

No bank holidays in Scotland in February for the next two years.

March in St Andrews and Fife

2–10°CTypical night to day
46 mmRain, 9 days
11 h 48Daylight
129 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 9.6°C at the warmest and nights 2.1°C at the coolest.
  • About 46 mm of rain falls over roughly 9 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 129 hours of sunshine in the month and 11 h 48 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • About 11 h 48 of daylight: enough for a full day out, but check sunset if you plan a viewpoint or a long walk.

What to pack

  • A warm coat, hat and gloves, with thermal or wool layers underneath.
  • Shoes with a good grip for cold mornings.
  • A light waterproof or a compact umbrella: about 9 days a month see 1 mm or more.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays in Mar

  • Fri, 26 Mar 2027: Good Friday

April in St Andrews and Fife

4–12°CTypical night to day
44 mmRain, 8 days
14 h 13Daylight
169 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 11.8°C at the warmest and nights 3.8°C at the coolest.
  • About 44 mm of rain falls over roughly 8 days with 1 mm or more, the driest month of the year here.
  • Expect about 169 hours of sunshine in the month and 14 h 13 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • About 14 h 13 of daylight: enough for a full day out, but check sunset if you plan a viewpoint or a long walk.

What to pack

  • A warm jacket and a jumper or fleece you can take off indoors.
  • A packable waterproof, just in case: a drier month on average, but showers still happen.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays in Apr

  • Fri, 14 Apr 2028: Good Friday

May in St Andrews and Fife

6–15°CTypical night to day
50 mmRain, 10 days
16 h 28Daylight
209 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 14.5°C at the warmest and nights 6.1°C at the coolest.
  • About 50 mm of rain falls over roughly 10 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 209 hours of sunshine in the month, the sunniest of the year and 16 h 28 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • Long days (about 16 h 28 of daylight): there is time for an early start and a late walk.

What to pack

  • A warm jacket and a jumper or fleece you can take off indoors.
  • A light waterproof or a compact umbrella: about 10 days a month see 1 mm or more.
  • Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for long days outdoors.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays in May

  • Mon, 3 May 2027: Early May bank holiday
  • Mon, 31 May 2027: Spring bank holiday
  • Mon, 1 May 2028: Early May bank holiday
  • Mon, 29 May 2028: Spring bank holiday

June in St Andrews and Fife

9–17°CTypical night to day
63 mmRain, 11 days
17 h 41Daylight
183 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 17.1°C at the warmest and nights 9.1°C at the coolest.
  • About 63 mm of rain falls over roughly 11 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 183 hours of sunshine in the month and 17 h 41 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • Long days (about 17 h 41 of daylight): there is time for an early start and a late walk.

What to pack

  • Light layers: a jumper or fleece over a T-shirt, and a light jacket for the evening.
  • A light waterproof or a compact umbrella: about 11 days a month see 1 mm or more.
  • Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for long days outdoors.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays in Jun

No bank holidays in Scotland in June for the next two years.

July in St Andrews and Fife

11–19°CTypical night to day
64 mmRain, 11 days
17 h 01Daylight
185 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 19.3°C at the warmest and nights 10.9°C at the coolest.
  • About 64 mm of rain falls over roughly 11 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 185 hours of sunshine in the month and 17 h 01 of daylight in the middle of the month.
  • This is the warmest month on average.

Planning

  • Long days (about 17 h 01 of daylight): there is time for an early start and a late walk.

What to pack

  • Light layers: a jumper or fleece over a T-shirt, and a light jacket for the evening.
  • A light waterproof or a compact umbrella: about 11 days a month see 1 mm or more.
  • Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for long days outdoors.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays in Jul

No bank holidays in Scotland in July for the next two years.

August in St Andrews and Fife

11–19°CTypical night to day
69 mmRain, 11 days
15 h 02Daylight
171 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 19.0°C at the warmest and nights 10.7°C at the coolest.
  • About 69 mm of rain falls over roughly 11 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 171 hours of sunshine in the month and 15 h 02 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • About 15 h 02 of daylight: enough for a full day out, but check sunset if you plan a viewpoint or a long walk.

What to pack

  • Light layers: a jumper or fleece over a T-shirt, and a light jacket for the evening.
  • A light waterproof or a compact umbrella: about 11 days a month see 1 mm or more.
  • Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for long days outdoors.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays in Aug

  • Mon, 2 Aug 2027: Summer bank holiday
  • Mon, 7 Aug 2028: Summer bank holiday

September in St Andrews and Fife

9–17°CTypical night to day
54 mmRain, 9 days
12 h 34Daylight
139 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 16.8°C at the warmest and nights 9.0°C at the coolest.
  • About 54 mm of rain falls over roughly 9 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 139 hours of sunshine in the month and 12 h 34 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • About 12 h 34 of daylight: enough for a full day out, but check sunset if you plan a viewpoint or a long walk.

What to pack

  • Light layers: a jumper or fleece over a T-shirt, and a light jacket for the evening.
  • A light waterproof or a compact umbrella: about 9 days a month see 1 mm or more.
  • Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for long days outdoors.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays in Sep

No bank holidays in Scotland in September for the next two years.

October in St Andrews and Fife

6–13°CTypical night to day
80 mmRain, 12 days
10 h 10Daylight
105 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 13.2°C at the warmest and nights 6.2°C at the coolest.
  • About 80 mm of rain falls over roughly 12 days with 1 mm or more, the wettest month of the year here.
  • Expect about 105 hours of sunshine in the month and 10 h 10 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • About 10 h 10 of daylight: enough for a full day out, but check sunset if you plan a viewpoint or a long walk.

What to pack

  • A warm jacket and a jumper or fleece you can take off indoors.
  • A proper waterproof jacket and shoes that cope with wet pavements: this is one of the wetter months here (12 days with 1 mm or more).
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays in Oct

No bank holidays in Scotland in October for the next two years.

November in St Andrews and Fife

3–10°CTypical night to day
68 mmRain, 12 days
8 h 03Daylight
79 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 9.5°C at the warmest and nights 2.9°C at the coolest.
  • About 68 mm of rain falls over roughly 12 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 79 hours of sunshine in the month and 8 h 03 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • Short days (about 8 h 03 of daylight): plan outdoor sights for the middle of the day and keep evenings for museums, food and shows.
  • Averaging about 79 hours of sunshine in the month, so keep an indoor back-up for each day (see our rainy-day guide).

What to pack

  • A warm coat, hat and gloves, with thermal or wool layers underneath.
  • Shoes with a good grip for cold mornings.
  • A proper waterproof jacket and shoes that cope with wet pavements: this is one of the wetter months here (12 days with 1 mm or more).
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays in Nov

  • Mon, 30 Nov 2026: St Andrew’s Day
  • Tue, 30 Nov 2027: St Andrew’s Day

December in St Andrews and Fife

1–7°CTypical night to day
63 mmRain, 12 days
6 h 53Daylight
54 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 7.0°C at the warmest and nights 0.9°C at the coolest.
  • About 63 mm of rain falls over roughly 12 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 54 hours of sunshine in the month and 6 h 53 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • Short days (about 6 h 53 of daylight): plan outdoor sights for the middle of the day and keep evenings for museums, food and shows.
  • Averaging about 54 hours of sunshine in the month, so keep an indoor back-up for each day (see our rainy-day guide).

What to pack

  • A warm coat, hat and gloves, with thermal or wool layers underneath.
  • Shoes with a good grip for cold mornings.
  • A light waterproof or a compact umbrella: about 12 days a month see 1 mm or more.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays in Dec

  • Fri, 25 Dec 2026: Christmas Day
  • Mon, 28 Dec 2026: Boxing Day
  • Mon, 27 Dec 2027: Christmas Day
  • Tue, 28 Dec 2027: Boxing Day

Holidays and busy periods

Bank holidays for Scotland come from GOV.UK, listed for the next two years in each month above. Many Britons travel on bank holiday weekends, so book transport and rooms early.

School holidays are set by each local council, so we do not list dates here. Check Scottish school term and holiday dates (mygov.scot).

From our St Andrews and Fife guide

Fife can be visited all year. Boat trips to the Isle of May and many seasonal cafés in the East Neuk run mainly in the warmer months.

  • Spring (April to May): The Isle of May boat starts sailing from Anstruther in April, and the coastal path is quieter than in summer.
  • Summer (June to August): Long days for beaches and coastal walks. St Andrews is busiest with golfers; book rooms early.
  • Autumn (September to October): The Isle of May boat runs until the end of September. Good light on the harbours and fewer visitors after the school holidays.
  • Winter (November to March): Short, often windy days. Some East Neuk cafés open fewer days; the museums, ruins and town pubs make good indoor stops.

We do not publish crowd or price seasonality: none of the sources used for this page states it.

How we work this out

  • Temperatures, rainfall, rain days and sunshine are the Met Office 1991-2020 monthly averages for one weather station (Leuchars). They describe a typical month, not a forecast. We never call a live weather service for this page.
  • Packing: warm coat below 10°C highs, warm jacket below 15°C, light layers below 20°C. A full waterproof when a month has 12 or more days with 1 mm of rain or at least 80 mm; a light waterproof from 9 days; sunscreen and a hat from May to September. Shoes with grip when typical nights are 3°C or colder.
  • Daylight is the astronomical day length, including the usual allowance for atmospheric refraction, on the 15th of the month at the latitude of St Andrews and Fife.

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