Early winter · Weather & things to do
Inverness in December
Inverness cools off: highs slip to 42°F (6°C), from 46°F in November, with lows of 36°F (2°C) and about 2.8 in (72 mm) of rain.
With a comfort score of 43/100 (11th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 42°F (6°C)
- Avg low
- 36°F (2°C)
- Rain
- 2.8 in (72 mm)
- Humidity
- 95%
- Cloud cover
- 80%
- Daylight
- ~6 h 20 min
- Comfort score
- 43/100 · Tough
What December feels like
Afternoons only reach about 42°F (6°C), so plan on a warm jacket.
Lows average 36°F (2°C).
Some rain is likely, about 2.8 in (72 mm) in the month, so pack for a shower or two.
Skies are often grey, with average cloud cover around 80%.
Daylight is short, roughly 6 h 20 min mid-month, so start sightseeing early.
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 20 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 50/100 in November to 43/100.
- Our Scotland’s Highland Rail Line route recommends May – Sep, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- Insulated jackethighs only 42°F
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaa shower or two is likely
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Inverness in December
A mixed month: these picks balance outdoor stops with indoor fallbacks.
Jacobite Cruises
Loch Ness boat trips from the Caledonian Canal, some stopping at Urquhart Castle.
Ness Islands
Riverside walk over footbridges to wooded islands in the River Ness.
Hootananny
Pub with live Scottish trad music sessions most nights.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 42°F.
Urquhart Castle
Ruined castle on a headland over Loch Ness.
Leakey's Bookshop
Second-hand bookshop in a converted church with a wood stove.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop when highs sit around 42°F.
Nearby in December
- Aviemore & the Cairngorms in December~25 mi · highs 41°F, 4.4 in rain · 1°C (2°F) cooler by day, wetter
- Fort William in December~56 mi · highs 43°F, 7.2 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, wetter
- Edinburgh in December~112 mi · highs 43°F, 2.9 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Dublin in December~296 mi · highs 47°F, 3.8 in rain · 3°C (5°F) warmer by day, wetter
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~248 m to Inverness's ~19 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.
Inverness in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Inverness?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 43/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are June – September. Expect highs of 42°F (6°C) and 2.8 in (72 mm) of rain. Our Scotland’s Highland Rail Line route recommends May – Sep, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Inverness in December?
Average highs are 42°F (6°C) and average lows 36°F (2°C), making it the 3rd-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Inverness in December?
Some: about 2.8 in (72 mm) of rain falls across December on average, the 4th-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 36.3 in (921 mm).
What should I pack for Inverness in December?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 42°F), packable rain jacket or umbrella (a shower or two is likely) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
Planning Inverness in December?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.