What is a Scottish Summer like as compared to home (Philippines)?
The summer period is a great time to relax with friends and family by
soaking up the sun at the beach or merely just having dinner together. Summer
is also the best time for festivals and activities. You definitely won't get
bored on a summer's day or night.
This is my first time spending summer in Scotland which in my opinion is
very different from summer at home in the Philippines so I decided to write
about the main differences between the two.
WEATHER AND CLIMATE
June, July and August are considered to be the high season in Scotland,
with July and the beginning of August peak times due to school holidays. The summer months are usually mild and warm
(although Scottish weather can be quite unpredictable), with temperatures
averaging 18°C – 22°C and late sunsets at around 10pm in most places (and as late as 11pm in the north). Throughout summer (especially on the West
Coast and in the Highlands) you will come across millions upon millions of midges (tiny biting
insects) that love mild, wind-free days.
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Arbroath July 2018 |
Photo taken at around 10:00 PM in Fife, Scotland (Unfiltered) |
"At this time of year there is actually no complete darkness
in the far north of Scotland. And, with the extra hours of daylight, you can
pack a lot into your summer holiday."
On the other hand, The Philippines has a tropical maritime climate, meaning the weather is generally hot and
quite humid. Hot dry summers are between March and May known as tag-init
(summer). There are at least 20 or 30 rainy days during this period due to the ruling of the southwest
monsoon, bringing maximum humidity levels to this part of the world. Summer temperature (on average) is only one degree higher than the winter temperature data. In the evening it can be very stuffy as the air just does not have
time to cool, so the temperature falls to an average of 27°C.
Average temperatures in the Philippines usually range between 21°C (70°F)
and 32°C (90°F) with the average yearly temperature coming in at around 26.6°C
(79.9°F). Temperatures can fluctuate between regions and depending on the season,
however, generally January is the coolest month while May is the hottest.
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Bacolod, Philippines May 2018 |
Summer of May 2018 in Bacolod, Philippines |
ACTIVITIES / WHAT TO-DO DURING SUMMER
Generally speaking, I personally love the hot and humid days that makes you
want to dive into a fresh and cool swimming pool. When summer time starts, you
can wear lighter clothes which are much more comfortable.
During daytime, there are fun activities that you can do such as swimming,
sports activities, picnics and barbeques. Friends and family tend to spend more
time together during the summer months. There is a lot of delicious food,
drinks and fun music. Everyone is laughing and having a good time. Summer
evenings are the best time for concerts, movies, parties, and relaxing with
friends.
“Although the weather in Scotland can become glorious as
early as the end of April, summer does not really kick-off till June when the
weather is consistently mild for the next four months.
We’d be lying if we said that Scottish summers are all
warmth and sunshine, they’re not. But they’re also not wet and cold like people
think. “ - wildernessscotland
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Arbroath, June 2018 |
For a first timer, I think the sumptuous, green scenery and stretched
summer days for starters make summer in Scotland so special. There are a lot of
exciting things to do. Scotland is supreme for active outdoor adventures such
as hiking and camping along it's vibrant and breathtaking highlands or cycling
along a cross-country track or trail to an isolated beach, where white sand and
clear blue water awaits you.
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Seaton Cliffs |
You can also choose from thousands of shows at Edinburgh’s world famous
Fringe Festival or cheer on competitors at a traditional Highland games.
![]() |
With a Scottish Bagpiper |
A truly Scottish event takes place in the beautiful grounds of Glamis Castle in Angus, Scotland – the Strathmore Highland Games |
Beautiful grounds of Glamis Castle in Angus, Scotland – the Strathmore Highland Games |
Summer is a great time to enjoy an activity holiday – the lochs and rivers,
hills and glens, miles of coastline and secluded beaches are the perfect
setting for a range of outdoor activities, such as fishing, mountain biking,
walking and water sports. You can also
enjoy the spectacle of traditional dancing and sporting events at Highland
Games.
While summer in the Philippines is a total delight, malls get crowded with
window shoppers who gather to their nearest
air-conditioned buildings to get a break from the tremendous heat of the sun.
This is the Filipino way of enjoying summer. It’s a fact!
I beg to differ; it’s not really a fact. Sure, certain people in the urban
areas resort to mere mall hopping during summer, but majority of Filipinos
definitely know how to beat the summer heat.
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Corregidor Island, Philippines |
A lot of Filipinos appreciate the benefits of traveling. For them, going on
a tour means cleansing and enriching the mind. Summer in the Philippines is
made more meaningful by family vacations.
Summer is a great time to go on a family vacation.
|
One of the best ways to strengthen family relationships is to travel to a new place together. The Philippines does not
have a scarcity of travel destinations for the entire family to enjoy. In a
tropical country like the Philippines, locals and travelers like to cool down
by having the waves on their back and sand in between their toes. With 7,641
islands to discover, one cannot ever run
out of beaches to go to during the summer months in the Philippines.
El Nido is a Philippine municipality on Palawan island. It’s known for white-sand beaches, coral reefs and as the gateway to the Bacuit archipelago, a group of islands with steep karst cliffs. Miniloc Island is famed for the clear waters of its Small and Big lagoons.
The Philippines is not all about water or beaches; Philippines is more than just white-sand shores. Other activities include hiking trails, hot spring
resorts and forests with cooler weather to comfortably enjoy the Philippines
outdoors.
![]() |
Mayon Volcano ATV Tour |
To sum it up, summer is just a wonderful season with so much
to offer!
More photos below for Scotland and Philippines summer.
Dundee is Scotland's sunniest city, with an average of 1,523 hours of sunshine per year. |
Beehive Grassmarket |
"Drinking alcohol indoors during summer is seriously frowned upon."
Masbate, Philippines |
"Masbate is much more than just a rodeo town. As you explore
this rural island province, you’ll realize that it is a wondrous land with
diverse fauna and flora as well as a unique summer destination full of
enthralling caves and stunning beaches. And, did we mention that it also has
amazing dive sites?"
We've all heard plenty of jokes about the Scottish weather -
but most of them aren't true! Scotland's climate is actually quite moderate and
very changeable, although on occasion we get really hot or really cold weather.
As the old Scottish saying goes, 'there's no such thing as bad weather, only
the wrong clothes!'
"And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of
leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that
familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer."-
F.Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
Kindly message me or leave a comment for any questions and suggestions. I would love to know your opinions, thoughts and ideas.
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Thank you so much for reading. Xxx
- - Jerica
This is great! Scotland is 100% on my list now!
ReplyDeleteNice one! Well how about Philippines? :)
DeleteGorgeous pictures, we enjoy the summers in Florida as well, very warm!
ReplyDeleteNice to hear that :)
DeleteGreat Pictures.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteBeautiful and live images explaining the story itself.Keep sharing such interesting posts.
ReplyDeleteIt seems so nice to enjoy that type of weather
ReplyDeleteReading this article gives me 100% reason to leave Italy running to either Scotland or Philippines. June July August are you experiencing the maximum of 26°C while down here I am battling with 36°C. Either of this places are fine for me, I can't just take this hotness any more.
ReplyDeleteGot reminded of our last visit to Scotland and we want to go back again. We have only been to Edinburgh and fell in love. And there are so many other places we have to still see. Like the old saying about the weather :) Since where we are from, its mostly hot, this would be a choice to spend the summers! Currently, we beating the heat by slow traveling Himalayas !
ReplyDeleteI have not been to Scotland but now got an idea of weather through your post with wonderful pics.
ReplyDeleteThis is a lovely comparison. Both of these countries seem beautiful in their different ways.
ReplyDeleteI'm from the Philippines. and Palawan is one of my bucket list next year! very nice photos of you!
ReplyDeleteNot sure I'd like to go there. I prefer China or Philippines.
ReplyDeleteScotland is beautiful! I would love to go somewhere cooler considering that the temps outside are near 40C here!
ReplyDeleteThey are both so different, yet wonderful in their own ways. I love your photos.
ReplyDeleteIt's really nice to read a blog by a Filipino who's now somewhere far from his/her Motherland because they see the difference in culture, tradition, and way of living of the people.
ReplyDeleteYour photos looks stunning by the way.
wow stunning! Definitely on my bucket list. Once my kids get older I'm going to adventure there.
ReplyDeleteOh I think I will have to think about Scotland after reading your blog. Philippines still my top (biased?), Also a Filipina here :) Enjoy your travels!
ReplyDeleteCertainly refreshed our memories of Scotland
ReplyDeleteScotland seems to be a great place. I've never visited there before but your post explained it well. Thanks 🙂
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures...very pretty place..
ReplyDeleteLovely pictures sweety. Scotland's high latitude means that we enjoy lovely long summer days and often an extended twilight.
ReplyDeleteWow!! Thanks for sharing. Beautiful pictures!!
ReplyDeleteI love this. I am from the British Isles and you are comparing Scotland, a very wet country for 90% of the year to the P'Pines in the summer months. I love that idea but I think there is no comparing when it comes to weather :D However P;Pines is always a great idea. :D Anything to get away from the coldness of the islands :D
ReplyDeleteVery nice post. Very much informative. please check out my new post as well.
ReplyDeleteTop 6 Must Watch Upcoming Hollywood Movies in Christmas 2018
Your photos remind me of Manila Bay, Ilocos Norte and Boracay. Thanks for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful! I would love to visit
ReplyDeleteBoth places look so beautiful. I also didn't realize that the sunsets could be so late in some places!
ReplyDeleteAwesome places..... I don't mind the weather.... The place is gorgeous .....
ReplyDeletesummer in Scotland Sounds delightful. All the info on weather and climate to help prepare. Keshia Richmond
ReplyDeletewhen there is so much to do outdoors why would you go to the mall. Hot or not I will always take some outdoor fun over shopping..:)
ReplyDeleteSummer in Scotland sounds absolutely wonderful! I'm definitely adding this to my list of desired destinations!
ReplyDeleteI neither been to Scotland or the Phillipines but I understand about adjusting to different temps! I am from the US but now live in Japan.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the awesome guide. That is helpful for all and there anythings mentioned which carries many informative things.
ReplyDeleteEdinburgh is one of my fav cities. Yet to visit more cities in Scotland
ReplyDeleteWhat amazing photos! I would absolutely love to visit!!
ReplyDeleteWhat an fun comparison. I haven't been to Scotland in a long time. Your picture make me want to go!
ReplyDeleteBoth are beautiful on their own ways. Thank you for sharing this! Love the pictures btw
ReplyDeleteBoth beautiful countries with their own little surprises waiting to be discovered and experienced! Love your photos, looks fun!
ReplyDelete