Best time to cruise · Good time to go
British Isles cruises in September
The Braemar Gathering, the most famous Highland games, takes place on the first Saturday, and the summer crowds thin once schools return. Weather is often settled early in the month, with highs around 60°F (15–16°C), but autumn gales can disrupt tender ports like Portree late in the month.
- Good time to go
- Avg high 61°F
- 13 hrs daylight
Photo: 瑞丽江的河水, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
British Isles in September: Good time to go
The Braemar Gathering, the most famous Highland games, takes place on the first Saturday, and the summer crowds thin once schools return. Weather is often settled early in the month, with highs around 60°F (15–16°C), but autumn gales can disrupt tender ports like Portree late in the month.
Across British Isles cruise ports, September brings average highs around 61°F (16°C) and lows near 53°F, with about 3.7 inches of rain over the month and roughly 13 hours of daylight.
- Verdict
- Good time to go
- Season
- May to September; a few sailings in April and October
- Average high / low
- 61°F / 53°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 3.7 in
- Daylight
- About 13 hours
- Typical cruise length
- 10 to 14 nights round trip; 7-night Scotland or Ireland sailings also run
What to pack: layers you can add and remove: long pants, a warm fleece or sweater, a waterproof jacket and closed walking shoes.
How September compares with the rest of the year
- Jan: No regular sailings
- Feb: No regular sailings
- Mar: No regular sailings
- Apr: Shoulder season
- May: Good time to go
- Jun: Best time to go
- Jul: Best time to go
- Aug: Best time to go
- Sep: Good time to go
- Oct: Shoulder season
- Nov: No regular sailings
- Dec: No regular sailings
- No regular sailings
- Shoulder season
- Good time to go
- Best time to go
British Isles weather in September
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 468 | 468 | 489 | 5111 | 5714 | 6116 | 6418 | 6418 | 6116 | 5613 | 5110 | 489 |
| Low °F (°C) | 404 | 404 | 405 | 426 | 478 | 5211 | 5513 | 5513 | 5312 | 4910 | 457 | 426 |
| Rain in (mm) | 4.1104 | 3.692 | 3.588 | 2.358 | 2.667 | 2.769 | 3.486 | 3.692 | 3.794 | 4.5114 | 4.3109 | 4.9125 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 7 |
September weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edinburgh (Leith & South Queensferry) | 62°F | 50°F | 2.7 in | 13 h |
| Dublin | 62°F | 53°F | 3.8 in | 13 h |
| Belfast | 61°F | 53°F | 3.8 in | 13 h |
| Greenock (for Glasgow) | 60°F | 51°F | 4.6 in | 13 h |
| Invergordon (for Inverness & Loch Ness) | 61°F | 49°F | 2.8 in | 13 h |
| Kirkwall, Orkney | 57°F | 53°F | 4.4 in | 13 h |
| Cobh (for Cork) | 63°F | 52°F | 4.4 in | 13 h |
| Liverpool | 63°F | 53°F | 3.5 in | 13 h |
| Portree, Isle of Skye | 58°F | 53°F | 5.1 in | 13 h |
| Lerwick, Shetland | 55°F | 53°F | 4.1 in | 13 h |
| St Peter Port, Guernsey | 64°F | 61°F | 2.4 in | 13 h |
| Southampton (London) | 69°F | 53°F | 2.6 in | 13 h |
Average daily highs and lows, 2015–2024, from NASA POWER, adjusted to sea level. Rain is the average monthly total.
Other great cruise destinations in September
- Hawaii in September
- Canada & New England in September
- Pacific Coastal in September
- Mediterranean in September
- Western Mediterranean in September
- Eastern Mediterranean & Adriatic in September
- Greek Isles in September
- Western Europe in September
- Tahiti & the South Pacific in September
- Danube River in September
See every destination for September, with a port weather map →
British Isles in September: FAQs
Is September a good time to cruise British Isles?
Yes, it's a good month. The Braemar Gathering, the most famous Highland games, takes place on the first Saturday, and the summer crowds thin once schools return. Weather is often settled early in the month, with highs around 60°F (15–16°C), but autumn gales can disrupt tender ports like Portree late in the month.
What is the weather like on a British Isles cruise in September?
Across British Isles cruise ports, September brings average highs around 61°F (16°C) and lows near 53°F, with about 3.7 inches of rain over the month and roughly 13 hours of daylight. Conditions vary from port to port and day to day.
What should I pack for a British Isles cruise in September?
Pack layers you can add and remove: long pants, a warm fleece or sweater, a waterproof jacket and closed walking shoes. Check your cruise line's dress code for evenings.
When is the best time to cruise British Isles?
May to September; a few sailings in April and October. The best months are usually June, July, August.
Where else can I cruise in September?
September is also a top month for Hawaii, Canada & New England, Pacific Coastal, Mediterranean, Western Mediterranean.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: NASA POWER climate data.