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.

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.

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

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.

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. 

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.

 "Majestic, scenic and idyllic, Coron has been a go-to summer destination for Pinoys who are hoping to get a taste of sheer bliss and nirvana. From world-class diving sites and aquamarine waters to steep limestone cliffs and white-sand beaches, its breathtaking scenery alone makes this place worth a visit."

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

 "Beer gardens are the only acceptable form of socialising. And when we say gardens, we also mean pavements, steps, even a tiny slither of windowsill. As long as it's in the full glare of the sun."

Brewdog, Dundee

"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.

Sources:

dailyrecord.co.uk

embracescotland.co.uk/

seasonsyear.com

shoppersguide.com.ph

travelonline.com

visitscotland.com/holidays-breaks/

visitscotland.com/blog/scotland/summer-family-days-out-ideas/

Don’t forget to subscribe as well. ☺

You can also follow me on my Instagram account @jericazvyka

Thank you so much for reading.  Xxx

-    - Jerica