What's August Really like in the Scottish Highlands

I've hinted at this one before, but in some ways, August for me is one of the toughest months to live in the Scottish Highlands. August marks the high point of the summer tourist season and with bank holidays and the English school holidays, it's often a pretty busy month here in the Scottish Highlands.

After months of busyness during the tourist season, I have to admit I often feel some fatigue as we head into August. I recently shared a carousel post over on Instagram highlighting my pretty complicated feelings about the summer months. I'm sure I'm not the only one who lives in this touristy part of Scotland who has similar feelings at this point of the year. I'm very thankful that I have a wee weekend trip booked very soon to switch off and come back feeling refreshed.

But August isn't all bad. Over the years, I've gone on some really beautiful adventures during August. We have friends who have a croft in a remote corner of Ardnamurchan, so on a beautiful summer Saturday in August 2025, we went on the family boat to visit the small but mighty island of Muck. There we sat, swam and enjoyed the beautiful summer weather at Gallanach Beach.

Then on the first day of August 2026, my husband and I enjoyed a day trip to one of my favourite places in Wester Ross: Ullapool. Ullapool is a quaint seaside village, with plenty of fantastic shops and businesses to discover. I have some blogposts coming up with these adventures, but in the meantime, be sure to check out this blogpost from my adventure to Ullapool in 2024.

Some Events happening this August in the Scottish Highlands

• 5th August: Isle of Skye Highland Games

• 15th August: Sausage and Cider Festival, Bogbain Farm Inverness

• 15th August: Outdoor Theatre at Cawdor Castle (Macbeth)

• 22nd August: Glen Urquhart Highland Games

• 22nd August: Kyle Gala

• 28th August: Tea and Tartan at Inverness Castle