October stays on Cairngorms
Rowan Cottage
Aviemore · Sleeps 6
Indicative catalogue price £581 for 7 nightsExact October prices and availability are checked after you choose a week.What is Cairngorms mountain weather like in October?
Typical mountain and low-level wind, temperature and rainfall for October, based on 40 years of weather history.
40-year mountain climate
Typical high-ground conditions in October.
Historically, October has been one of the more demanding parts of the year on the high ground. Of 1,240 representative high-ground days, 9% were excellent or good, 67% were average, and 24% were poor or severe.
Dry days accounted for 47% of the sample, while extensive cloud affected 74%. These figures describe representative high ground around 1,245 metres, so coastal and low-level conditions can be milder.
Excellent or good9%Historically dry47%High-ground temperature2.3°CTypical maximum gust30 mphStronger days around 39 mph
Plan beyond the forecast
Choose an area and week.
Saturday dates are highlighted because they usually unlock the widest choice of seven-night cottage stays. Other arrival days still work.
Typical conditions, not a forecastThis describes representative high ground. A difficult hill day can still be suitable for a lower-level plan.
Week 41 · 10 October
What this week is typically like on Cairngorms high ground.
Across 280 comparable historical hill days, 12% were excellent or good and 18% were poor or severe.
Check the live Cairngorms forecast →Historically excellent or good12%280 comparable days
Excellent3%Good9%Average70%Poor17%Severe1%
Historically dry55% of daysTypical daily max gust28 mphStronger days around 36 mphTypical high ground2.7°C24-hour mean near 1,245 mExtensive cloud71% of days
October context: 9% of days across the month were excellent or good; 24% were poor or severe. Read the full October guide.
Valley and low level for this week
Around Aviemore.
Representative base · 220 mTypical daily high12.1°CWarmer days 14.4°CHistorically dry54%51% dry with lighter windMaximum wind11 mphStronger days 15 mphTypical overnight low6.9°CCooler nights 4.1°C
Planning a different time of year?Compare Cairngorms month by month
Valleys and trip bases
Low-level weather around Aviemore in October.
Aviemore, at roughly 220 metres, provides a practical low-level reference for Cairngorms. Across 1,240 historical days, the typical daytime high was 11.6°C, with warmer days around 13.9°C.
About 50% of days were dry and 48% combined dry weather with lighter winds. Conditions vary across glens, coasts and villages, so this should be used as regional trip-planning guidance rather than a forecast for every location.
Typical daily high11.6°CWarmer days around 13.9°CTypical overnight low6.2°CCooler nights around 3.1°CHistorically dry50%8% had 10 mm+ rainTypical maximum wind12 mphStronger days around 16 mph
January to December
Cairngorms weather by month.
Each month has a detailed guide comparing high-ground hill days with typical conditions at a representative valley or low-level trip base.
January8% good
High ground: 61% average · 31% poor or severeAviemore: 48% dry · 5.3°C daily high
February10% good
High ground: 62% average · 28% poor or severeAviemore: 50% dry · 5.8°C daily high
March14% good
High ground: 63% average · 23% poor or severeAviemore: 48% dry · 7.9°C daily high
April18% good
High ground: 67% average · 15% poor or severeAviemore: 50% dry · 10.3°C daily high
May22% good
High ground: 63% average · 15% poor or severeAviemore: 50% dry · 13.4°C daily high
June15% good
High ground: 72% average · 13% poor or severeAviemore: 50% dry · 15.8°C daily high
July14% good
High ground: 74% average · 12% poor or severeAviemore: 48% dry · 17.5°C daily high
August13% good
High ground: 72% average · 15% poor or severeAviemore: 48% dry · 17.0°C daily high
September14% good
High ground: 71% average · 15% poor or severeAviemore: 55% dry · 14.9°C daily high
October9% good
High ground: 67% average · 24% poor or severeAviemore: 50% dry · 11.6°C daily high
November8% good
High ground: 69% average · 23% poor or severeAviemore: 50% dry · 8.2°C daily high
December9% good
High ground: 64% average · 27% poor or severeAviemore: 52% dry · 5.6°C daily high
Strongest historical signals
Best weeks of the year for Cairngorms mountain weather.
These are the six week bands with the largest historical share of excellent or good days. They are useful for broad trip timing, but the live forecast should decide the final plan.
- 01Week around 17 April24% excellent or good · 15% poor or severePlan this week →
- 02Week around 8 May24% excellent or good · 17% poor or severePlan this week →
- 03Week around 22 May24% excellent or good · 17% poor or severePlan this week →
- 04Week around 29 May21% excellent or good · 14% poor or severePlan this week →
- 05Week around 1 May20% excellent or good · 13% poor or severePlan this week →
- 06Week around 15 May19% excellent or good · 15% poor or severePlan this week →
20 mountain areas
Compare another part of the UK.
Each page includes weekly and monthly high-ground and low-level climate summaries, a highlighted Saturday planner and nearby accommodation.
Angus GlensScotland · strongest historical month: May23% good Argyll and Loch LomondScotland · strongest historical month: May28% good Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons)Wales · strongest historical month: June31% good CairngormsScotland · strongest historical month: May22% good Clwydian Range and BerwynsWales · strongest historical month: April28% good DartmoorEngland · strongest historical month: July37% good Eryri (Snowdonia)Wales · strongest historical month: May31% good Lake DistrictEngland · strongest historical month: May35% good Lewis and HarrisScotland · strongest historical month: May29% good LochaberScotland · strongest historical month: May25% good Mid Wales and Cambrian MountainsWales · strongest historical month: May32% good Monadhliath and Creag MeagaidhScotland · strongest historical month: May22% good North PenninesEngland · strongest historical month: May28% good Northumberland and CheviotsEngland · strongest historical month: May32% good Northwest HighlandsScotland · strongest historical month: May27% good Peak DistrictEngland · strongest historical month: July30% good Perthshire HighlandsScotland · strongest historical month: May25% good SkyeScotland · strongest historical month: May38% good Southern ScotlandScotland · strongest historical month: May34% good Yorkshire DalesEngland · strongest historical month: May32% good