Going to visit Scotland!

[Donnie]

My family and I will be in Scotland the second week in June. Any suggestion as to what clothing to take as far as temps go? My wife says she saw it would normally be highs in the 60's F. I will be visiting thing around and in Edinburgh, then three days in Onich. We plan to see Old Castle Slains, Roslin Chapel, Clan Kerr's castle, and hope to go to Culodden battlefield in particular. I also hope to see a friend in Argyle while I am there.
We are going as a celebration of my son and daughter's graduation. Jer is graduating from Virginia Military Institute, and Jessie is graduating from the US Naval Academy. June is when we have to go, due to Jessie starting Flight School for the Navy in Sept.

[Redshank]

My family and I will be in Scotland the second week in June. Any suggestion as to what clothing to take as far as temps go? My wife says she saw it would normally be highs in the 60's F. I will be visiting thing around and in Edinburgh, then three days in Onich. We plan to see Old Castle Slains, Roslin Chapel, Clan Kerr's castle, and hope to go to Culodden battlefield in particular. I also hope to see a friend in Argyle while I am there.
We are going as a celebration of my son and daughter's graduation. Jer is graduating from Virginia Military Institute, and Jessie is graduating from the US Naval Academy. June is when we have to go, due to Jessie starting Flight School for the Navy in Sept.

Bring a raincoat with you

[figheadair]

My family and I will be in Scotland the second week in June. Any suggestion as to what clothing to take as far as temps go? My wife says she saw it would normally be highs in the 60's F. I will be visiting thing around and in Edinburgh, then three days in Onich. We plan to see Old Castle Slains, Roslin Chapel, Clan Kerr's castle, and hope to go to Culodden battlefield in particular. I also hope to see a friend in Argyle while I am there.
We are going as a celebration of my son and daughter's graduation. Jer is graduating from Virginia Military Institute, and Jessie is graduating from the US Naval Academy. June is when we have to go, due to Jessie starting Flight School for the Navy in Sept.

Could be anything from c65-75f at that time of the year. Bring a rain coat and hopefully you won't need it. Also a fleece or the like for the evenings, and daytime too if the weather's foul .

Big bonus - you'll have fantastic light until late into the evening at that time of the year, especially on the west coast.

[davidg]

Could be anything from c65-75f at that time of the year. Bring a rain coat and hopefully you won't need it. Also a fleece or the like for the evenings, and daytime too if the weather's foul .

Big bonus - you'll have fantastic light until late into the evening at that time of the year, especially on the west coast.

The secret to beating Scottish weather is to be prepared and bring with you an appropriate layering system

In a good year, June could be very hot and sunny but there's also a good chance of quite chilly weather with plenty of rain

Lightweight and quick drying trousers (pants) available from any hiking shop teamed with a shirt or T shirt plus a mid weight fleece are good. Add to that a breathable waterproof jacket (Gortex if you can afford it) and you should be ready for anything. Add a bum bag so you can carry the jacket with you all the time and you will not get caught out

[creagdhubh]

The secret to beating Scottish weather is to be prepared and bring with you an appropriate layering system

In a good year, June could be very hot and sunny but there's also a good chance of quite chilly weather with plenty of rain

Lightweight and quick drying trousers (pants) available from any hiking shop teamed with a shirt or T shirt plus a mid weight fleece are good. Add to that a breathable waterproof jacket (Gortex if you can afford it) and you should be ready for anything. Add a bum bag so you can carry the jacket with you all the time and you will not get caught out

Agreed, bring layers. Scottish weather, particularly in the Highlands, is quite unpredicatable.

Cheers,

[ForresterModern]

I can't believe that there have been four responses to the OP and not a single person has mentioned taking a KILT or two with you. I know that traditional scots do not wear the kilt on a daily basis, and that you will immediately be recognized as a tourist and American for doing so, but what better opportunity to wear your kilts in a traditional fashion than the home of the kilt and tartan itself.


I say go kilted every day unless you have a strong reason not to. Out of 19 days in Scotland on two trips I wore kilts 18 days, got no grief from the locals, and lots of compliments (in addition to several requests for photos with tourists and a couple stops by other tourists asking for directions, assuming I was a local). There are not that many activities to do pr places to go where a kilt would not be considered appropriate, and climate in June should not affect that choice either, unless the midgies are out (but I think that is typically later in the summer).

Just my tuppence.

j

[Mark Stephenson]

Re Jeff's comment about midgies: My wife and I will be in the highlands the first 3 weeks of next September. Is this midgie season?

[SeumasA]

My wife and I went in November two years ago. Having grown up in Washington I figured winter in Scotland would be very similar. I didn't take a heavy winter coat, I just took a good wool sweater and a waterproof shell. We encountered everything from clear and sunny shirtsleeve weather to torrential rain. As the others have said, layers are the way to go, so that you can be comfortable in all conditions.
If you haven't been before, plan on doubling your travel time compared to the states. Scotland is a fairly small country but they have nothing comparable to our interstate freeways. Even the M roads are not the same. It will take a lot longer to get anywhere than you would think just looking at the map. Don't just rely on a GPS, take a good Michelin map or something similar.
I found Culloden to be a very sobering place.
Enjoy yourselves. It'll be a great experience.

[Rab]

June can be pretty good weather, but bear in mind it can be crap too. Light weight waterproof is pretty much essential, fleece or sweater will be handy. The main thing to remember is the weather could be pretty changeable.

regards midgies, they're definately worse west coast and highlands and they'll be around most of the summer right through to october. I've spent loads of time dealing with the little buggers while fishing and running. They're worse dawn/dusk and can be found anywhere in the country side particularly areas with trees and water. But they hate bright sunlight and anysort of breeze puts them down.

[Redshank]

Re Jeff's comment about midgies: My wife and I will be in the highlands the first 3 weeks of next September. Is this midgie season?

it all depends on the weather at the time, usually there are still a few about at this time of the year.

But be warned, if you are the type who believes that the only way to wear the kilt is regimental, and the midgies are about, you will soon realise what a true highlander wears under his kilt

Be warned