Questioning whether to take all dark clothing or some light. Florida is into light clothing at this time of year (colored) but felt pastels might appear out of place. Also debating between taking all purpose lined jacket with hood (that appears somewhat rain repellant) to just heavier zip up cardian sweater and an umbrella. Worried about lugging the heavier jacket around.

Hi sb,

No one in Scotland cares what colors you wear.

As for the jacket, "When are you going"?

If I grumph will you hate me (Actually Ira did a pretty good job)

For heavens sakes lighten up. pastel is good. dark is good. Suit yourselves, Anything goes. I'm not kidding.

As to the jacket DON'T bring an all purpose lined jacket with hood. I know we mump about the weather n=but this is Scotland NOT the arctic. DON'T bring a heavier zip up a crdigan. Bring a light weight sweater and a thin waterproof to put on to. Umbrellas? pah! If it rains it will blow a gale, just to spite you.

OK; a deep breath, near hysterical laughter, a hot bath and a glass of red wine later:- that was all MY fault, right?

I thought vaguely that I'd answered this before, searched on your name and found out I said it was winter last week......

In your other post, you said you understood layering. layering is about NOT bring your all purpose lined jacket or zip up cardigan. It's about lots of light weight, well, layers.

Yesterday friends in Argyll had their nnual garden open day, and no-one came because it was too hot to go walking round gardens. I even spent couple of hours in the garden in shorts myself.

Today we have the haar

For daytime, you need short sleeved shirts. Bring maybe two long sleeved shirts, just in case. You need one or two light weight sweaters and a light weight waterproof, which, with luck, you will never have out of your bag.

Pastel is fine. It IS; it IS!! But so is black and denim and whatever..You'll even get off with Hawaii prints if you want.

Slacks are also fine. I really am struggling to think of a restaurant in the country where you would not b welcome in a pair of slacks and an openneck shirt. Honest.

I was also surprised at the midge comments on your othe thread. They're a west coast phenomenon, not fom round these parts, but we don't usually get them till mid to end July.

We have a saying in Scotland "ne'er cast a cloot till may is oot" which I trust needs no translation. That's why the weather is so changeable. But our central heating is going off tomorrow come hell or high water.

(sorry, for grumphing. Honest)

Sheila:

Ah, but does 'May' refer to the month, the flower or the fly?

Down here in England (where the show of mayflower - aka hawthorn - is the most spectacular anyone can remember) we talk of little else. Could we have changed to the summer duvet three weeks ago, or did we need to wait to tonight?

My ma always said it was the flower, but since our May's only been out about 3 days it makes little odds.

..layer..you have received good advice..re color- suggest sticking to one color group so you can mix and match everything..helps keep the suitcase light!

My Uk friends, why on earth are Americans spo worried about what to war? noone I know in Europe does. One wears what is right for the occasion, season and comfort. You dress more in the city, less oin the country, lesser at the seashore.