Portree weather in December
December in Portree: cold, soaked, with clean air — not the time — 22 rainy days.
Updated September 2026 · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis
#12 of 12 months in Portree · #1291 of 1413 destinations to visit in December · comfort 41/100 (tier F)
- Days
- 8°C
- Nights
- 5°C
- Wet days
- 22
- Sun
- 1.9 h
- Humidity
- 85%
- Daylight
- 7 h
Traveller notes on Portree in December
Skye's own forum doesn't dress up December: dark days (barely six to seven hours of daylight by mid-month), heavy rain, and cold winds are the norm, with several posters flagging it as one of the windiest months of the year. Snow at sea level in Portree itself is unlikely - it's more a mountain phenomenon - so expect rain and low cloud rather than a white winter scene in town. The advice that comes up again and again is to stay flexible: a clear, crisp day is possible, but the safer bet is dressing for wind and rain and treating any sunshine as a bonus.
Other months in Portree
Forum posters describe June as capable of delivering '4 seasons in one day,' with wet and cold weather always a real possibility regardless of the season - but also note June has actually run drier than other months in recent years, making it a relatively favorable pick weather-wise. The standout upside is daylight: it barely gets dark, letting visitors sightsee or walk until 11:30pm and still catch a proper sunset before bed. Skye's size and mountainous terrain mean it generates its own microweather, so conditions can vary meaningfully across the island even on the same day. One seasonal heads-up: midges start becoming a real nuisance from mid-to-late June onward, particularly on the west coast, and Portree itself gets genuinely busy by late June, so booking accommodation early is standard advice.
Add your own note from Portree's card on the map.
Portree climate normals — December
Monthly averages from ERA5 reanalysis. AQI is the mean US Air Quality Index for the month.
Crowds in Portree in December
How busy the place itself is — school and mass holidays, the months an editor tagged, and how sought-after the weather makes them. Never part of the comfort score.
Peak crowdsChristmas and Boxing Day, Christmas holidays in United Kingdom, school holidays in 6 of the markets that fill it(estimated)
Peak crowdsBusyShoulder seasonQuiet
Best months for Portree's weather
Ranked by this destination's own climate comfort score across the year — a different thing from how busy it gets (see Crowds above).
Toughest weatherPortree's weather peaks May–July, best around June.
Best weatherFair weatherToughest weather
What's on in Portree in December
Recurring seasonal events, natural spectacles, closures and holidays — curated and sourced.
- Hazard
Atlantic gales
15 Oct – 15 Mar · usuallyWinter storms & galesClosuresWinter storms close the Skye Bridge to high-sided vehicles and stop the Mallaig ferry, sometimes for a couple of days at a time. Build slack into any onward plan between October and March. Source ↗
- Season
Out of season
1 Nov – 20 Mar · usuallyOff-season shutdownClosuresBoat trips, several restaurants and most of the visitor centres run Easter to October only. What is left is an empty island with weather on it, which some people come specifically for. Source ↗
- Holiday
Christmas and Boxing Day
24–28 DecChristmas & New YearClosuresChristmas Day and Boxing Day are bank holidays. Public transport is minimal or absent on 25 December and thin on the 26th, and most shops, attractions and many pubs and restaurants close on Christmas Day, so plan travel and meals ahead. Source ↗
- Season
Wet season
MonsoonRisk22 rainy days and about 207 mm in the month — the real kind of rainy season, not afternoon showers.
from the climate normals
Nearby, and something's on
Within 300 km of Portree — a day trip or a short hop — with something on this month. Never part of the comfort score.
Where is Portree?
Portree in December — FAQ
- Is December a good time to visit Portree?
- December in Portree: cold, soaked, with clean air — not the time — 22 rainy days. It ranks #12 of 12 months for Portree on SeasonMap's comfort score (41/100).
- What is the weather like in Portree in December?
- In December, Portree averages a daily high of 8.1°C and a low of 5.3°C, with about 206.6 mm of rain over roughly 22.2 rainy days.
- What is the air quality in Portree in December?
- Portree has a mean US Air Quality Index of about 33 in December.
- Does it snow in Portree in December?
- Portree sees roughly 2.3 cm of snowfall in December.
Within 300 km: Isle of Skye's Aurora season around 15 Sep – 31 Mar, and Inverness' Aurora on strong nights around 15 Sep – 31 Mar.