Kirkwall, Scotland, United Kingdom: What to pack, what to wear, and when to go [2022]

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Traveling to Kirkwall, Scotland, United Kingdom? If you're planning to go to Kirkwall, we have some important information about when to go, what to wear, and what to pack.

Contents

About your travel guide

Hi! I'm Dev. I've traveled all over the world and in my travels, I have made many packing lists. In this series, my team and I have compiled the most useful information, as well as things we couldn't live without, to help you plan your trip.


When to go to Kirkwall, Scotland, United Kingdom

Based on the climate and weather in Kirkwall, the best time to go is August. See below for details.

Important essentials for Kirkwall, Scotland, United Kingdom

Here are some general tips on what to wear in Kirkwall, as well as several items to remember to pack when traveling there.

IMPORTANT COVID-19 ESSENTIALS

Other health necessities


  • Travel first aid kit

    This one is a good option.


  • Emergency rapid COVID-19 test

    U.S. residents can get them free here. Otherwise, you can buy them here.


  • Emergency motion sickness relief

Don't forget these

Activities for Kirkwall, Scotland, United Kingdom

Here are some activity recommendations and activity-specific packing tips for Kirkwall.

If you are intending to see the lovely St Magnus Cathedral, it's suggested to wear modest clothing:

If you go to Highland Park Distillery, you'll probably do a lot of walking. These are a must:


  • Binoculars

    Like these


  • Good hiking shoes

    These are designed for this kind of walking, and can breathe and can get wet


  • Small portable cooler

    Save money on drinks with this portable cooler.


  • Ultralight day pack

    Like this, so you don't have to lug around a heavy suitcase.

If you see Orkney Museum, wear museum-appropriate clothing and take:

Castle hopping? For Bishop's & Earl's Palaces, take:

We also recommend these top tours in and around Kirkwall.

What to wear/what to pack for Kirkwall, Scotland, United Kingdom by month

Already know when you're traveling?

January

If you go to Kirkwall in January, you will notice that it is cold, somewhat snowy and very rainy. Expect it to rain about two thirds of the time and snow about half of the time. Daytime temperatures are in the 40s F (single digits C). There is frost about a third of the time.

What to wear/what to pack:

February

February in Kirkwall can be brisk, somewhat snowy and very rainy. The average overnight temperatures in the area are in the 30s F (single digits C). It tends to rain about half of the time. It also snows about a third of the time. But the colder weather doesn't bring low humidity, which is in the 80% to 90% range on average. There is frost a bit less than half of the time.

What to wear/what to pack:

March

In March, Kirkwall is cold, somewhat snowy, very rainy and somewhat hazy. Temperatures routinely are in the 40s F (single digits C) range. At night, lows are in the 30s F (single digits C). This is also a rainy time for Kirkwall, with more than half of the days of the month having rain. In March, humidity reaches as high as 80%. There is frost about a third of the time. Additionally, it is breezy.

What to wear/what to pack:

April

April in Kirkwall can be very chilly, somewhat rainy and somewhat hazy. The average overnight temperatures in the area are in the high 30s F (single digits C). It tends to rain about half of the time. It also snows occasionally. But the colder weather doesn't bring low humidity, which is in the 70% to 80% range on average. There is frost once in a while.

What to wear/what to pack:

May

May in Kirkwall can be brisk, somewhat rainy and somewhat hazy. The average overnight temperatures in the area are in the low 40s F (single digits C). It tends to rain regularly. But the colder weather doesn't bring low humidity, which is in the 70% to 80% range on average.

What to wear/what to pack:

June

If you vacation in Kirkwall during June, you will probably notice that it is cool, somewhat rainy and somewhat hazy. Temperatures tend to hover around the high 50s F (mid 10s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the high 40s F (single digits C). Humidity is generally between 70 and 80% during the day. In terms of precipitation, you can expect it to rain regularly.

What to wear/what to pack:

July

In July, Kirkwall is cool and somewhat rainy. Temperatures routinely are in the low 60s F (mid 10s C) and regularly jump into the low 60s F (mid 10s C) range. At night, lows are in the low 50s F (low 10s C). This is also a rainy time for Kirkwall, with several of the days of the month having rain. In July, humidity reaches as high as 80%.

What to wear/what to pack:

August

If you visit Kirkwall during August, you are likely to notice that it is relatively cool and somewhat rainy. Temperatures tend to hover around the low 60s F (mid 10s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the low 50s F (low 10s C). Humidity is generally between 80 and 90% during the day. In terms of precipitation, you can expect it to rain about half of the time.

What to wear/what to pack:

September

If you visit Kirkwall during September, you may notice that it is relatively cool and somewhat rainy. Temperatures tend to hover around the high 50s F (mid 10s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the high 40s F (single digits C). Humidity is generally between 80 and 90% during the day. In terms of precipitation, you can expect it to rain about half of the time.

What to wear/what to pack:

October

If you visit Kirkwall during October, you might see that it is brisk and very rainy. Temperatures tend to hover around the low 50s F (low 10s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the 40s F (single digits C). Humidity is generally between 80 and 90% during the day. In terms of precipitation, you can expect it to rain about two thirds of the time.

What to wear/what to pack:

November

November in Kirkwall can be very chilly and very rainy. The average overnight temperatures in the area are in the low 30s F (single digits C). It tends to rain about two thirds of the time. It also snows once in a while. But the colder weather doesn't bring low humidity, which is in the 80% to 90% range on average. There is frost sometimes.

What to wear/what to pack:

December

December in Kirkwall can be brisk and very rainy. The average overnight temperatures in the area are in the 30s F (single digits C). It tends to rain about two thirds of the time. It also snows about a third of the time. But the colder weather doesn't bring low humidity, which is in the 80% to 90% range on average. There is frost 5-10 days this month.

What to wear/what to pack:

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