Glasgow or Edinburgh in July?

In July, Glasgow comes out ahead on the overall climate score (Glasgow 45/100 vs Edinburgh 42/100). That is a snapshot of one month, though — which one truly fits depends on what you want from the trip, so the breakdown below goes criterion by criterion.

This comparison focuses on July as a representative month for the pair; for any other month, use each destination's month-by-month pages. Across the whole year Glasgow averages a climate score of 28/100, Edinburgh 28/100. Both profiles below are historical monthly averages, not a forecast.

The average daily high is about 17 °C in Glasgow and 18 °C in Edinburgh — warmer in Edinburgh. Average daily lows are around 10 °C versus 11 °C.

On rain, Glasgow sees about 21 rainy days in July and Edinburgh about 17 — drier in Edinburgh. Edinburgh gets more sunshine (5 vs 6 hours a day).

Over a full year Glasgow records roughly 228 rainy days and Edinburgh about 183 — the drier of the two overall is Edinburgh. At their sunniest, Glasgow reaches about 6 hours of sun a day (May) and Edinburgh about 6 (June). If dependable dry, sunny weather is your top priority, weigh these annual totals alongside the single month above.

Climatically, Glasgow has no month that stands clearly above the rest, while Edinburgh has no clear standout month. If your dates are fixed, pick the destination whose strong season overlaps them; if you are flexible, plan around these windows.

Based on the July scores for each travel style:

City breaks: Edinburgh scores higher in July (Glasgow 58 vs Edinburgh 66).

Active & hiking: Edinburgh scores higher in July (Glasgow 57 vs Edinburgh 63).

Family: Edinburgh scores higher in July (Glasgow 24 vs Edinburgh 26).

Choose using the July values and travel-style scores above. The rounded annual overall scores are also tied (28/100). A higher annual score therefore cannot decide the choice. Use the monthly values for your actual travel dates.