Scotland Trip Advice from Scots or recent visitors

[California Highlander]

I'm headed to Scotland next week (update: 22 July, not 14!) for a 3 week visit! It's my first time visiting. After much debate and re-reading several posts on the topic, I'm bringing my casual 16oz Black Watch kilt for hiking wear and possibly to a pub or two (Hootananny?). I have one evening event and also a day event where a kilt would be appropriate and for those I may hire a proper kilt with a jacket but wear my own hose, etc. if I hire the kilt. I appreciate all the XMarks discussions on the wearing of kilts in Scotland, especially when worn by non-Scots.

I'll be in Edinburgh, Inverness, Caithness, Orkney, Kyle of Lochalsh (with a day trip to Skye), the Cairngorms and Speyside. There probably will be a day trip to Stirling from Edinburgh. Some hiking, bicycling, distillery tours, family genealogy research, and visiting as many Pictish stones and neolithic sites as possible. And the beautiful countryside. And the museums, castles and the architecture both new and old. And there is the Fringe...Oh, and hopefully at least a half day fishing. 3 weeks is not nearly enough!

Now for the advice...weather-wise, it seems low 60s Fahrenheit with fog in Inverness with Edinburgh a couple of degrees warmer, Wick and Orkney look to be cooler and wetter. I'm bringing my waxed Barbour jacket. I'm from San Francisco, so layering with wool is part of my normal attire anyway and I'll pack merino tees and a lightweight merino sweaters/jumper and a glen plaid viyella collared shirt along with a regular tattersall shirt and chinos. Footwear is a pair of Clark's brogues, surprisingly "walk-friendly" and dress up nicely and also bringing Keen waterproof hike shoes. Very light-duty, but should suffice for what I'm doing. I'm trying to travel light and a couple of my accommodations have laundry available allowing me to bring less and wash along the way. Any other suggestions about weather or clothing welcome.

I've gathered many suggestions for places to visit from various threads on XMarks and appreciate everyone's sharing them. I'll be posting pictures of any kilt-related events and if any Xmarkers are going to be at the Clan Chattan gathering, Highland Field Sports Fair, Newtonmore games, or possibly the Strathpeffer or Abernethy games, or are located in any of my travel stops, drop me a note or PM and we can try for a meet up. I'll be on train or public transportation for part of the trip, then have a car for the bulk of the Highlands. Yes, I have confirmed an automatic shift. Hopefully that's what I'll actually get.