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Gorse-covered dunes overlooking the fairways of Royal Dornoch and the Dornoch Firth
Our pick

Golf in Scotland in May

Our favourite month: long days, gorse in bloom, and the sunniest weather of the year on average.

Gorse and fairway at Royal Dornoch, Sutherland

If we could choose one month for a Scottish golf trip, it would be May. Days are long and lengthening, the gorse is ablaze across the links, and the Met Office averages show it as the sunniest month of the year on all three of the coasts we track.

Summer crowds have not yet arrived, so tee times and the finest hotels are a little easier to secure than in July. It is cool rather than warm, so bring a jumper, but settled spells can be glorious.

Daylight in May

On 15 May, in UK local time. The latest start allows about four hours to finish 18 holes before sunset.

Sunrise, sunset and daylight on 15 May
PlaceSunriseSunsetDaylightLatest 18-hole start
St Andrews04:5721:1916 hr 22 min17:19
Troon05:0821:2216 hr 14 min17:22
Dornoch04:5321:3316 hr 40 min17:33

How late can you tee off?

Choose a course and a date to see sunrise, sunset and the latest start that should let you finish 18 holes in daylight, allowing about 4 hours for a round on foot.

Sunrise
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Sunset
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Daylight
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Latest 18-hole start
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Typical weather

Long-term averages for May on Scotland’s three main golf coasts. Averages smooth out a great deal: expect the odd glorious day and the odd wild one, sometimes within the same round.

Average climate in May, 1991–2020
CoastAverage highAverage lowRainfallSunshine
St Andrews, Fife and the east coastLeuchars weather station14.5°C6.1°C50 mm198 hrs
Glasgow and the Ayrshire coastPaisley weather station16.1°C7.4°C63 mm184 hrs
The Highlands and the Moray FirthNairn weather station14.3°C5.7°C51 mm185 hrs

Monthly averages for 1991–2020 from Met Office station records. The Paisley and Nairn stations closed during this period, so their averages cover roughly twenty years. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Average sunshine by month, east coast

Hours of bright sunshine per month at Leuchars, beside St Andrews (1991–2020)

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Plan your routePick your courses and see the best order, drive times and where to stay.Playing the Old CourseHow the ballot, advance times and Sunday closures work.

Thinking of May?

Tell us your dates and the courses you have in mind. We will advise honestly on what is realistic and design the journey around it.

Begin Planning Your Journey