Best things to do in Scotland in January 2026
January is a quieter month as the days are short and everyone has to get their heads down after the festivities of Hogmanay. It can be cold – the average temperature is around 5 degrees – but it can feel even colder when the wind blows. The mountains are likely to have snow, so its a good time for skiers. But if snowsports aren’t your thing, there are plenty of other things to do in Scotland in January. For a start, it’s the month we celebrate the life and works of our national poet, Robert Burns. And there are a surprising number of concerts, festivals and exhibitions to enjoy in Scotland in January.
Art, Architecture & Exhibitions
Scotland in January 2026
Dundee V&A Museum Tour
Twice daily throughout the year
A 1 hour free tour of the incredible V&A building in Dundee which runs twice a day at 11am and 14:30. The tour of the building includes a detailed look at the most popular objects in the Scottish Design Galleries. Meet downstairs at the welcome desk ten minutes before the start of each tour. Tours are free but booking is required.
Turner in January
Until January 8th 2025
A great indoor option in Scotland in January is Turner in January at the National Galleries of Scotland in Edinburgh. Turner in January has become an annual tradition in Scotland. As the New Year begins and winter starts to ease, Turner’s watercolours provide a welcome dose of colour and light. The works on display come from the Henry Vaughan Bequest, which means they can only be displayed during January when light levels are lowest. It’s a rare opportunity to see these pieces together, as they are not shown at other times of the year.
The exhibition offers a clear overview of Turner’s work in watercolour, including landscapes, coastal scenes and studies from his travels around Britain and Europe. Turner in January is both a good way to spend a cold or wet day in Edinburgh and be a part of a lesser known Scottish cultural tradition.
From These Parts: Scotland, Art & Identity
Wardlaw Museum, University of St. Andrews
Throughout January and until 15th February 2026
From These Parts: Scotland, Art and Identity at the Wardlaw Museum in St Andrews is an exhibition exploring how Scottish contempary art reflects the country’s changing national identity. The exhibition explores Scotland’s identity through its art, featuring works by artists such as Joan Eardley and William McTaggart, alongside pieces from the University of St Andrews’ own collections. It also marks the 30th anniversary of the Harry and Margery Boswell Art Collection and the 200th anniversary of the Royal Scottish Academy of Art and Architecture. Running until 15 February 2026, entry is free.
Celebrations and Festivals
Dumfries Carnival & Northern Lights
15th – 19th January 2026
Celebrate the town that inspired Robert Burns in a brand new way in the month of his birth. Northern Lights brings light installations to illuminate Dumfries’ historic spots at night, from the Burns Mausoleum to Greyfriars Church, each telling a story through light, sound, and projection.
Rabbies Winter Village is open daily from 12 pm to 11 pm. It features plenty of food and drink, along with five days of live music on the Rabbies Community Stage and at the Supper Club. This year, the new Taste of South Scotland Market will run for three days – 16th, 17th and 18th – showcasing talks and demonstrations from local producers and celebrating the region’s food and craft traditions.
Dumfries Carnival also returns in 2026, starting at 5 pm on Saturday 17th and bringing colour, movement and spectacle to Dumfries town centre. Thousands will gather in the heart of Dumfries for processions, performances, and a lively community celebration.
Celtic Connections
Glasgow, various venues 15th January to 1st February
The long-established Celtic Connections festival has established its reputation as Europe’s finest folk, roots and world music festival. Thirty venues across Glasgow will host a diverse line up of over 300 traditional and contemporary performances from musicians from all corners of the world. Check the festival website for the full Celtic Connections programme.
Up Helly Aa, Lerwick, Shetland
Tuesday 27th January 2026
The Up Helly Aa festival takes place at the end of January in Shetland. The day involves a series of marches and visitations, culminating in a torch-lit procession and the burning of a galley. The day’s events begin at 08:15 with the torchlit procession at 19:30.
The day is made up of marches, ceremonies, songs and processions by squads of up to a thousand ‘guizers’ in Viking dress, armour and weapons. Guizer Jarl is the leader of the elite Jarl Squad who play a prominent role in the proceedings. It is considered a great honour to be chosen to be a member of the Jarl Squad and to be elected Guizer Jarl, an even greater one. To take part as a guizer you must have been a Shetland resident for at least 5 years. Until 2023 women were not allowed to participate but the times are a changing and last year was the first year that women participated as guizers.
Since Up Helly Aa began celebrating Shetland’s viking heritage in the 1880s, it has been only cancelled or postponed for exceptional events – basically war, the death of monarchs and most recently the Covid pandemic.
Burns Nights 2026
Suppers & Other Events
Arguably the most significant date in the national calendar, Burns Night takes place on January 25th each year. If you are visiting Scotland in January don’t miss out on the chance to take part in the celebrations of the life of Scotland’s most treasured poet. There will be events of all varieties taking place all over Scotland. Take your pick from traditional Burns Night Suppers to grander balls or concerts, ceidhlihs and festivals.
We’ve put together a selection of events celebrating the life and works of Robert Burns in January 2026. If you want to find out a bit more about Burns Night and why it’s such a big deal in Scotland read our longer article about Robert Burns.
Burns Suppers
Burns Suppers will be held throughout Scotland on, or close to, the 25th of January. The traditional meal of haggis, neeps and tatties is usually accompanied by poetry, song and of course a few drams. Read on for our selection.
Meldrum House Burns Supper
January 24th, Aberdeenshire
Celebrate Burns Night in style at 13th Century Meldrum House Country Hotel set in 240 acres. This glamorous event normally sells out so you will need to book. Expect a classic Scottish menu, whisky cocktails and a dram from the local Glen Garioch Distillery. This year’s event features a pre-dinner display of Scottish dancing from a top dance team and a live ceilidh band.
Royal Yacht Britannia, Edinburgh
January 23rd & 24th
Celebrate aboard The Royal Yacht Britannia at this exclusive annual ticketed event. The evening begins with a warm welcome from Britannia’s piper, setting the tone for an unforgettable Scottish experience. You will be served a sumptuous five-course meal in the State Dining Room by Britannia’s butlers, showcasing the finest Scottish ingredients. Traditional Scottish music will accompany the dinner, culminating in the iconic ‘Address to a Haggis.’ Guests will then enjoy Scotland’s national drink in the elegant State Drawing Room, while our skilled Scottish Storyteller shares captivating tales of Burns’ legacy.
The evening also features a red carpet welcome, a drinks and canapé reception, and a highlights tour of The Royal Yacht Britannia, ensuring a truly memorable experience. There’s only a final few tickets left so book as soon as possible.
Burns Day at the Tolbooth
Tolbooth Tavern, Edinburgh, January 25th
Celebrate Burns Day 2026 in a more relaxed style at one of Edinburgh’s oldest pubs, the Tolbooth Tavern, on Sunday 25 January 2026. The event has three sittings at 2pm, 5pm, and 8pm. Live piping is from Liam the piper, followed by the iconic Address to the Haggis, complete with a dram of Dalmore 12-Year-Old whisky. The Supper itself is a three-course meal featuring Scottish classics, including Cullen Skink, haggis with neeps and tatties (vegetarian option available), and homemade cranachan. Tickets are £42.50 per person.
Le Haggis Burns Night Special
Supper Club, Dumfries, January 25th
Dive headfirst into one of the country’s most raucous winter traditions at the Le Haggis Burns Night Special in Dumfries on 25th January. Part of the much-loved Big Burns Supper festival, this intimate twist on Burns Night combines the classic Scottish feast – think locally sourced haggis, neeps and tatties followed by a local cheese board – with a lively cabaret atmosphere that blends music, humour and genuine Highland spirit. It’s Burns Night with a twist, served up with the festival’s trademark energy and cheeky entertainment.
Traditional Burns Supper
University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, January 24th
Celebrate Burns Night 2026 in a historic setting at the University of St Andrews on Saturday 24 January 2026. The event begins at 6.15 pm in the atmospheric Lower College Hall with a welcome drink, followed by a four-course Taste of Scotland Dinner, including the traditional haggis. During the meal you’ll enjoy the traditional Burns Night rituals, including a piper, the Address to the Haggis and readings of Burns’ poetry.
After dinner, the evening continues with a lively ceilidh in Younger Hall, featuring music by the Pure Scotch Ceilidh Band. For those who prefer to skip the dinner, ceilidh-only tickets are also available.
Other Events Celebrating the Life & Work of Robert Burns
January 2024
The Real Mary King’s Close
Edinburgh, 25th, 26th & 27th January
Experience a one-of-a-kind Burns Night celebration at Mary King’s Close, where poetry, history, traditional Scottish cuisine, and fine Scotch whisky come together in its well-preserved streets and hidden spaces, beneath Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. Along with tales of the past there will be recitals of Robert Burns’ poetry in this atmospheric setting. Toast Scotland’s beloved bard with a dram of whisky at the end of the tour. An optional extra available is a four-course Taste of Scotland menu at Amber Restaurant, the restaurant at The Scotch Whisky Experience on the Royal Mile.
Big Burns Ceilidh at the National Museum of Scotland
Edinburgh, 26th January
The ever popular Burns Night Ceilidh returns to the National Gallery of Scotland in 2026. The Grand Gallery hosts the ceilidh with traditional dancing to live music and a caller. Attendees will also enjoy traditional food, drinks from a number of pay bars, Burns-themed activities and access to some of the galleries.
The dress code is tartan (of course!).
Sing Burns’ Songs
Kelvingrove Art Gallery, Glasgow
January 31st 13:30am
Join multi-instrumentalist and singer Celine Donoghue in a light-hearted exploration of a selection of the traditional Scottish songs written and collected by Robert Burns. Tickets are free but there is a booking charge.
Celebrating Burns at Edinburgh Castle
Saturday January 25th
Find out about the life of the great poet and hear his work performed at this event taking place at Edinburgh Castle. This light-hearted event runs four times during the day and booking is essential.
Burns an’ a’ That, Stirling Castle
January 25th
This event celebrating his work takes place at Stirling Castle, the location that inspired Burns’ famous Stirling Lines he wrote in 1787. In just ten lines the work laments the decline of Stirling’s power since the heyday of the Stewart monarchy.
Celtic Connections Burns Night Concert
Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Glasgow, 26th January
A night of music, song and spoken word performances to celebrate Burns Night in a beautiful setting.
Annasach Ceilidh Band at The Counting House, Edinburgh
23rd January
Join the Annasach Ceilidh Band to celebrate Burns’ birthday at a historic venue in Edinburgh Old Town once frequented by the great man himself.
Outdoor Things to do in Scotland in January
Snow Sports
If you are a winter sports enthusiast then January is the month to get a spot of skiing or snowboarding in. There are five mountain centres for snow sports in Scotland. Three mountain centres are in the Cairngorms – the Lecht Ski Resort (great for families), Glenshee Ski Centre, the largest in the UK and Cairngorm Mountain Resort. Glencoe Mountain Centre has 20 ski runs including the longest and steepest one in Scotland. The Nevis Range Mountain Resort is on the west coast of Scotland.
Spectacular scenery is guaranteed but the snow conditions can vary so make sure you check the current snow report before heading off tio the mountains. Visit Scotland has up to date information about snow conditions and further information about the different mountain resorts.
Wild Camping in the Loch Lomond National Park in Winter
Blow out the cobwebs after the festive period and take advantage of the ability to park up and camp right on the shores of Loch Lomond. During the summer season, you need a permit and competition for the best spots is fierce. Out of season you don’t need a permit to camp. Simply park up and camp right by the waterside in one of the designated areas. There’s a handy map to show you designated camping spots near Loch Lomond and also whether they are suitable for campervans. Park rangers still oversee the national park during the winter and you may get a visit from them to check you are camping responsibly. Other than that there is a good chance of finding complete peace and solitude. If you’d prefer to camp somewhere with facilities, there are a few campsites open out of season. All the details of campsites nearby that are open in the winter are in our article on Loch Lomond Campsites Open All Year.
Last chance to see the Northern Lights
January is a good month to try for that glimpse of the Northern Lights before the nights start to get shorter. A general rule of thumb is to head north and find spots without light pollution from nearby towns. The Shetland Isles, the Orkney Islands, the Northern Highlands, Skye and the Hebrides are all good places where there are usually multiple sightings of the Northern Lights. You will find more suggestions in our full article about the best places to see the Northern Lights in Scotland.
Join free guided walks through Holyrood Park with experienced rangers in January. On 11 January, “Trees in Winter” will teach you how to recognise different tree species from their bark, buds and winter features while exploring the Park’s woodland and open spaces. Later in the month, on 31 January, “Wetland Wander” celebrates World Wetland Day with a ranger-led walk around the lochs and boggy areas of Holyrood Park to discover the Park’s wetland habitats and the wildlife they support. Both walks are free to join.
Big Sky Campers Campervans for Hire
Scotland
Our campervans are all fully insulated and have heaters so you can stay toasty even in January. Our fully inclusive campervan rental price includes absolutely everything that you will need for campervanning in Scotland. The only additional items we charge for is the hire of a portable toilet and additional drivers. Everything is included in the price, including extra sets of bedding if requested.
Got a question? Give us a call.
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Visit Scotland/Kenny Lam