Month guide · Edinburgh · United Kingdom
Edinburgh in October
What October is really like in Edinburgh: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Kim Traynor, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
October is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 13°C (55°F), lows of 7°C (45°F), about 12 rainy days and roughly 10.3 hours of daylight. Autumn colour on Arthur's Seat and in the Botanic Garden, lower prices and atmospheric misty days.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 13°C (55°F) / 7°C (45°F)
- Rainy days
- About 12
- Daylight
- About 10.3 hours
- Sea temperature
- 12°C (54°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in October
October is the 6th-warmest month in Edinburgh: days average 13°C (55°F) against a yearly average high of 13°C (55°F), and nights fall to about 7°C (45°F). Rain falls on roughly 12 of its 31 days. Compared with September (17°C (63°F)), October is cooler; by November highs drop to around 10°C (50°F).
- Sunrise (15 October)
- About 07:44
- Sunset (15 October)
- About 18:13
- Daylight
- About 10.3 hours
- Sea
- 12°C (54°F)
Autumn (September–November). Quieter after the festivals, with autumn colour in the parks and atmospheric misty days; increasingly wet by November.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, October rates 3 for crowds (the peak is August at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in August). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in October
- Scottish International Storytelling Festival (usually October)
- Samhuinn fire festival and Halloween ghost tours (31 October)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in October
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Museum · Old Town
Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
Beside the castle at the top of the Royal Mile, the Camera Obscura has projected live images of the city onto a viewing table since 1853, and five floors of optical illusions, mirror mazes and a spinning vortex tunnel sit below its rooftop terrace.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Views
Museum · Holyrood
Dynamic Earth
Pair it with a walk in Holyrood Park next door to see real volcanic rock on Salisbury Crags.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
Historic site · Old Town
The Real Mary King's Close
Beneath the City Chambers on the Royal Mile lie streets of 17th-century houses that were partly demolished and built over in the 18th century.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Rainy day
Gallery · Dean Village
Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
Walk there along the Water of Leith from Dean Village; steps lead up from the riverside path to the gallery grounds.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
- Outdoors
What to pack
For highs near 13°C, lows near 7°C and 12 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is October a good time to visit Edinburgh?
A shoulder-season month, with 2 notable events on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, May–June and September are better overall. Compare every month.
Edinburgh in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is October a good time to visit Edinburgh?
It is a shoulder-season month. Autumn colour on Arthur's Seat and in the Botanic Garden, lower prices and atmospheric misty days.
+How warm is Edinburgh in October?
Average highs are around 13°C (55°F) and lows around 7°C (45°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Edinburgh in October?
Expect rain on about 12 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.