Early winter · Weather & things to do
Aviemore & the Cairngorms in December
Aviemore & the Cairngorms cools off: highs slip to 41°F (5°C), from 44°F in November, with lows of 34°F (1°C) and about 4.4 in (113 mm) of rain.
With a comfort score of 36/100 (11th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 41°F (5°C)
- Avg low
- 34°F (1°C)
- Rain
- 4.4 in (113 mm)
- Humidity
- 97%
- Cloud cover
- 78%
- Daylight
- ~6 h 24 min
- Comfort score
- 36/100 · Tough
What December feels like
It's cold: daytime highs average just 41°F (5°C), so build the days around warm stops.
Nights cool to an average low of 34°F (1°C).
Some rain is likely, about 4.4 in (113 mm) in the month, so pack for a shower or two.
Expect plenty of overcast days, with cloud cover near 78%.
Only about 6 h 24 min of daylight means early sunsets.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are June – September.
- Shortest days of the year, about 6 h 24 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 41/100 in November to 36/100.
- Our Edinburgh & the Cairngorms route is planned for Late Nov – early Jan, a window set by the holiday season rather than the weather — December is part of it.
What to pack for December
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 34°F
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaa shower or two is likely
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Aviemore & the Cairngorms in December
Cold days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Cairngorm Reindeer Centre
Base for Britain's only free-ranging reindeer herd; guided hill trips walk out to the herd on the Cairngorm slopes.
Loch an Eilein
Loch in Rothiemurchus Forest with a ruined castle on its island and a flat circuit of about 5 km.
Loch Morlich
Loch ringed by Caledonian pine with a sandy beach and a full view of the northern Cairngorms.
The Old Bridge Inn
Long-running pub by the Spey on the edge of Aviemore, serving food beside an open fire.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 41°F.
Nearby in December
- Inverness in December~25 mi · highs 42°F, 2.8 in rain · 1°C (2°F) warmer by day, drier
- Fort William in December~55 mi · highs 43°F, 7.2 in rain · 1°C (3°F) warmer by day, wetter
- Edinburgh in December~89 mi · highs 43°F, 2.9 in rain · 1°C (3°F) warmer by day, drier
- Dublin in December~282 mi · highs 47°F, 3.8 in rain · 4°C (6°F) warmer by day, drier
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~535 m to Aviemore & the Cairngorms's ~211 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Aviemore & the Cairngorms in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Aviemore & the Cairngorms?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 36/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are June – September. Expect highs of 41°F (5°C) and 4.4 in (113 mm) of rain.
How cold is Aviemore & the Cairngorms in December?
Average highs are 41°F (5°C) and average lows 34°F (1°C), making it the 3rd-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Aviemore & the Cairngorms in December?
Some: about 4.4 in (113 mm) of rain falls across December on average, the 6th-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 54.3 in (1380 mm).
What should I pack for Aviemore & the Cairngorms in December?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 34°F), packable rain jacket or umbrella (a shower or two is likely) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Aviemore & the Cairngorms
Routes in season in December
- Edinburgh & the Cairngorms Late Nov – early Jan
Planning Aviemore & the Cairngorms in December?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.