Season guide · Glasgow · United Kingdom
Glasgow in autumn
September–November: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Stephencdickson, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Autumn colour and quieter museums in September, turning wet, windy and dark by November. Expect highs up to 16°C (61°F) and lows around 3°C (37°F), with about 44 rainy days across September–November. September is among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- September–November
- Temperatures
- 3°C (37°F) to 16°C (61°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 44
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in autumn
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September | 16°C (61°F) | 9°C (48°F) | 13 | 12.6 h | 3/5 |
| October | 13°C (55°F) | 6°C (43°F) | 16 | 10.3 h | 2/5 |
| November | 9°C (48°F) | 3°C (37°F) | 15 | 8.1 h | 2/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 13°C (55°F) against a yearly 13°C (55°F), and 44 of the year's roughly 160 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 2/5 and hotel prices 3/5 on average.
What's on in autumn
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- September: Doors Open Days — free access to normally closed buildings (usually September)
- November: Christmas markets and lights in George Square and St Enoch Square (usually from mid or late November)
Good choices for autumn
Gallery · City Centre
Gallery of Modern Art
GoMA occupies the neoclassical former Royal Exchange on Royal Exchange Square and shows contemporary art, often by Scottish artists.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Rainy day
- Iconic
Garden · West End
Glasgow Botanic Gardens
On a wet day, the Kibble Palace and the main glasshouse range make a warm, free hour indoors.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Rainy day
Museum · Pacific Quay
Glasgow Science Centre
The titanium-clad science centre on the south bank of the Clyde has three floors of hands-on exhibits, a planetarium and science shows.
- Time needed
- 3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
Museum · Southside
Scottish Football Museum at Hampden Park
Football is a passion in Glasgow; if you want to see a match, look at fixtures at Celtic Park, Ibrox or Hampden well ahead.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- History
Museum · West End
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Glasgow's best-loved museum fills a red sandstone palace with around 8,000 objects, from Salvador Dalí's Christ of Saint John of the Cross and Scottish Colourist paintings to natural history, armour and a Spitfire hanging above the west court.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Art
- Kids
- Rainy day
- History
Day trips in autumn
- Stirling (About 30–45 minutes by train) — Stirling Castle, home to Stuart kings including Mary, Queen of Scots, sits on a volcanic crag above the old town.
- New Lanark (About 1 hour by train and bus or taxi) — Robert Owen's 18th-century cotton-mill village beside the River Clyde is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with restored mills and workers' housing.
What to pack
- Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings
- A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is autumn a good time to visit Glasgow?
Yes: September is among the best months. Autumn colour and quieter museums in September, turning wet, windy and dark by November.
+What is the weather like in Glasgow in autumn?
Highs of up to 16°C (61°F) and lows around 3°C (37°F), with about 44 rainy days over the season.