Things to do in St. Andrews in May

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Overview

May is a great time to visit St. Andrews. The weather is usually moderately chilly and breezy, with temperatures ranging from 43—54°F (6—12°C). There are plenty of events to check out and activities to try in St. Andrews during this time. Some of our top recommendations: visit the St. Andrews Farmers' Market, take a day trip to the nearby fishing villages of Fife, attend the St. Andrews May Festival, and more!

St. Andrews has plenty to offer for visitors of all ages and interests. In this article, we tell you the top things to see and do for your May trip to St. Andrews. Get inspired by the events, activities, attractions, and experiences unique to May. We’ll let you know where to explore events based on your interests, whether that’s food, culture, art, music, sport or others.

We’ll let you know everything you need to prepare for the weather in St. Andrews in May. Learn about what to wear and pack for your trip, the average temperatures throughout May, temperature changes from morning to evening and much more.

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Don't take our word for it
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Best events and things to do in St. Andrews in May

Top experiences in May
Visit the St. Andrews Farmers' Market
May is a great time to visit the St. Andrews Farmers' Market, where you can sample and purchase a wide variety of fresh, locally-sourced produce, baked goods, and artisanal products. The market is a vibrant hub of activity, with live music, food stalls, and friendly vendors. It's a great way to support local producers and enjoy some delicious treats.
Take a day trip to the nearby fishing villages of Fife
May is a great time to explore the charming fishing villages of Fife, such as Anstruther, Pittenweem, and Crail. These picturesque villages are known for their colorful harbors, traditional seafood restaurants, and scenic coastal walks. It's a great way to experience the authentic charm of the Scottish coast and enjoy some delicious fresh seafood.
Attend the St. Andrews May Festival
The St. Andrews May Festival is a month-long celebration of arts, culture, and music in the town. The festival features a diverse range of events, including concerts, art exhibitions, theater performances, and workshops. It's a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the local arts scene and experience the creative spirit of St. Andrews.
Explore the St. Andrews Botanic Garden
May is the perfect time to visit the St. Andrews Botanic Garden, as the spring blooms are in full display. The garden features a wide variety of plants and flowers from around the world, as well as peaceful walking paths and tranquil ponds. It's a great way to spend a sunny afternoon in St. Andrews.
Take a coastal walk along the Fife Coastal Path
May is a great time to explore the stunning coastline of Fife on the Fife Coastal Path. The path offers breathtaking views of the rugged cliffs, sandy beaches, and picturesque fishing villages. It's a fantastic way to experience the natural beauty of the area and get some fresh air and exercise.
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Holidays in St. Andrews in May
May
  • Early May Bank Holiday (May 6)
  • Spring Bank Holiday (May 27)
Other notable holidays
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Weather in St. Andrews in May

Temperatures on an average day in St. Andrews in May

The average temperature in St. Andrews in May for a typical day ranges from a high of 54°F (12°C) to a low of 43°F (6°C). Some would describe it as moderately chilly and breezy.

For comparison, the hottest month in St. Andrews, July, has days with highs of 63°F (17°C) and lows of 52°F (11°C). The coldest month, February has days with highs of 42°F (6°C) and lows of 35°F (2°C). This graph shows how an average day looks like in St. Andrews in May based on historical data.

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Historical temperature average in May
54°F
highs
43°F
lows

General weather summary

Moderately chilly and breezy
Feels like
26%
Chance of rain
0.078 in
Amount
15.3 mph
Wind speed
80%
Humidity
16.3 hrs
Daylight length
4:58 AM
Sunrise
9:17 PM
Sunset
42%
Cloud cover
Jacket
What to wear
What to wear in May
With an average high of 54°F (12°C) and a low of 43°F (6°C), it generally feels moderately chilly and breezy. There might also be a small chance of rain. With that in mind, most people would dress in something warm like a jacket
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Best attractions for St. Andrews in May

Besides the array of exciting events and activities St. Andrews has to offer for travelers in May, we want to remind you of the classic attractions in St. Andrews that are great to visit at this time of the year as well! You can’t miss these iconic landmarks, local favorites, and places rich with cultural heritage. We hope to give you insights and inspiration into the best things to see and do to make the most of your visit. Here is a list of our top attractions in St. Andrews for May.
St Andrews Cathedral
1. St Andrews Cathedral
4.6
(2914)
Sights & Landmarks
Cathedral
Ruins of Scotland's former largest church, with museum of medieval sculpture and relics.
St Andrews Castle
2. St Andrews Castle
4.5
(3707)
Castle
Sights & Landmarks
Coastal, episcopal castle ruins dating from 13th century, with secret passages and dungeon.
Eden Mill St Andrews
3. Eden Mill St Andrews
4.2
(50)
Distillery
Food & Drink
Tours of 19th-century distillery-turned craft brewery using traditional methods, with tastings.
Swilcan Bridge
4. Swilcan Bridge
4.6
(119)
Historical landmark
Sights & Landmarks
Landmark crossing over a narrow channel on the grounds of the famed St Andrews golf course.
West Sands Beach
5. West Sands Beach
4.7
(523)
Beach
Outdoor Activities
Craigtoun Country Park
6. Craigtoun Country Park
4.7
(1858)
Country park
Nature & Parks
Parkland with a boating lake, crazy golf, miniature railway and a modern children's play area.
St Andrews Aquarium
7. St Andrews Aquarium
4.3
(1589)
Aquarium
Nature & Parks
Aquarium with a black tip reef shark, seals, penguins and more than 100 fish species, plus meerkats.
The R&A World Golf Museum
8. The R&A World Golf Museum
4.3
(688)
Museum
Restaurant
Collection of golf clubs and memorabilia tracing the game's history from 15th century to today.
St Andrews Botanic Garden
9. St Andrews Botanic Garden
4.4
(894)
Botanical garden
Nature & Parks
18-acre botanical garden with more than 8000 species of native and exotic plant species and ponds.
Kingsbarns Distillery
10. Kingsbarns Distillery
4.6
(931)
Distillery
Visitor Centers
University of St Andrews
11. University of St Andrews
4.5
(400)
University
Sights & Landmarks
1400s university with historic, city-wide buildings, once home to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
Cambo Gardens
12. Cambo Gardens
4.7
(253)
Garden
Nature & Parks
Wardlaw Museum
13. Wardlaw Museum
4.6
(215)
Museum
Specialty Museums
University museum with 4 galleries exploring St. Andrews through the ages, with a sea-view terrace.
Scottish Clay Shooting Centre
14. Scottish Clay Shooting Centre
4.9
(54)
Shooting range
Fun & Games
The Byre Theatre
15. The Byre Theatre
4.6
(440)
Performing arts theater
Concerts & Shows
Theatre playing a range of dramatic and comedic shows as well as lectures and other events.
Kingsbarns Beach
16. Kingsbarns Beach
4.7
(103)
Outdoor Activities
Beaches

Top searches in St. Andrews

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