type of clothing for Scotland in Oct.
Jun 7th, 2012, 04:51 PM
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type of clothing for Scotland in Oct.
I posted this under Europe but should have posted here. We're renting a cottage in Linlithgow Oct. 6-13. Am I correct in thinking that jeans and sweatshirts, jacket, scarf, gloves are appropriate for that region at that time of year? Will go to church service at the little Episcopal church. A friend tells me that dress for that is casual-slacks and nice top. I don't need to take a dress. Does this sound about right? Thanks
Jun 7th, 2012, 05:08 PM
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I visited Scotland last Oct. and recommend you take lots of layers that you can add or remove during the day. A hooded rain jacket would also be a good idea. Your cottage may have a washer, and if there is a dryer it may be a washer/dryer combo which will take hours to dry jeans.
Jun 7th, 2012, 05:17 PM
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Make sure you have waterproofed walking shoes or booties, well broken in. You will need a sturdy folding umbrella and a waterproof jacket - and lots of layer underneath. Have not been in Oct - in the middle of July we got temps in the mid 40s with lots of wind and rain (and had to wear tee, shirt and sweater under a rain jacket).
Jun 7th, 2012, 05:35 PM
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I would bring turtlenecks or tee shirts; do not limit your tops to sweatshirts. If it turns warm you won't want to wear a sweatshirt. Warm socks. I would also take slacks other than jeans as you could wait several days for jeans to dry out.
Churches can be very cold so you probably won't be taking off your jacket during the service.
BTW - the entire forum is "europe." You forgot the UK tag but you could have asked the editors to add one (click on the yellow triangle) rather than reposting.
Click on your name to check for responses to your other post.
Churches can be very cold so you probably won't be taking off your jacket during the service.
BTW - the entire forum is "europe." You forgot the UK tag but you could have asked the editors to add one (click on the yellow triangle) rather than reposting.
Click on your name to check for responses to your other post.
Jun 7th, 2012, 10:38 PM
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It could be swimsuit weather, it could be the first icy blast of winter. It could be anything in-between.
Don't take "waterproofed walking shoes or booties" as it's rare that the rain is heavy enough to need them - "ordinary leather shoes, the type you wear to the office, or even - horrors - sports shoes will do.
Don't take "waterproofed walking shoes or booties" as it's rare that the rain is heavy enough to need them - "ordinary leather shoes, the type you wear to the office, or even - horrors - sports shoes will do.
Jun 8th, 2012, 03:19 AM
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Scarves, gloves and sweaters are a good idea. My wife takes them even in the summer, when we have encountered weather similar to that described by nytraveler -- 40's F in August.
Sweatshirts are cotton and thus clammy when wet. It will be wet at least part of the time, though almost never all day. Unless you have high quality raingear, you will get wet from perspiring if not from the outside. All students, and there are a lot of them in Edinburgh, wear jeans, but they don't mind being slightly damp all the time. You may not either.
More controversially, I would say a sweatshirt is inappropriate for a middle class adult in Edinburgh, particularly a sweatshirt with anything written on it. By "middle class" I mean someone who aspires to eat something beyond fast food or in the most casual of cafes.
Should you go to the Highlands, there is likely to be some snow at higher elevations, so you will need to allow for that. Fortunately, woolen goods are something that the Scots do exceedingly well.
Sweatshirts are cotton and thus clammy when wet. It will be wet at least part of the time, though almost never all day. Unless you have high quality raingear, you will get wet from perspiring if not from the outside. All students, and there are a lot of them in Edinburgh, wear jeans, but they don't mind being slightly damp all the time. You may not either.
More controversially, I would say a sweatshirt is inappropriate for a middle class adult in Edinburgh, particularly a sweatshirt with anything written on it. By "middle class" I mean someone who aspires to eat something beyond fast food or in the most casual of cafes.
Should you go to the Highlands, there is likely to be some snow at higher elevations, so you will need to allow for that. Fortunately, woolen goods are something that the Scots do exceedingly well.
Jun 8th, 2012, 03:33 AM
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Sorry - I found waterproof shoes to be necessary - it was very heavy rain - and if I had been wearing my usual canvas Skechers they would have soaked it all up - never mind flats with thin soles (which often let in any water on the sidewalk), and peep-toe shoes. I think you understood the "waterproof" part - there are a lot of shoes people wear on a regular basis that absorb or let in any water that's around.
Jun 8th, 2012, 12:06 PM
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I'll agree with nytraveler on the "waterproof shoes" issue. Timberland and other companies make Goretex lined shoes that are stylish enough to wear in the city, but still keep your feet dry. Walking around in damp shoes gives me the creeps. If you plan to do a lot of walking, even on city streets, you will be thankful for comfortable shoes.
For outerwear, modern waterproof breathable fabrics are a blessing, but if you want to go traditional, tweed is made for Scottish weather.
For outerwear, modern waterproof breathable fabrics are a blessing, but if you want to go traditional, tweed is made for Scottish weather.
Jun 8th, 2012, 12:42 PM
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<<It could be swimsuit weather . . .>>
In the UK, swimsuit weather is anything above 60 F - that's why there were hundreds of cases of heat exhaustion at the 2009 London Marathon when the day's highest temperature was less than 68F/20C.
Agree w Heimdall on the Timberlands - have multiple pairs and they work perfectly. Columbia brand shoes would too. Check REI, any Timberland outlet, and LL Bean. My preference is Timberland and even on paved streets they seem to do quite well. Since you're renting a cottage in a more rural area than the center of Glasgow, Edinburgh or Aberdeen, decent waterproof walking shoes may be necessary.
In the UK, swimsuit weather is anything above 60 F - that's why there were hundreds of cases of heat exhaustion at the 2009 London Marathon when the day's highest temperature was less than 68F/20C.
Agree w Heimdall on the Timberlands - have multiple pairs and they work perfectly. Columbia brand shoes would too. Check REI, any Timberland outlet, and LL Bean. My preference is Timberland and even on paved streets they seem to do quite well. Since you're renting a cottage in a more rural area than the center of Glasgow, Edinburgh or Aberdeen, decent waterproof walking shoes may be necessary.
Jun 8th, 2012, 12:53 PM
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I am going early November and trying to decide what kind of winter clothes to take. I live in central New Jersey and have three wool coats, of varying lengths and thickness, for the late fall and winter here. Should I just take the full-length thickest coat (and of course layers for underneath), or would that be too much for early November in Scotland? I transit through LHR this past February with snow on the ground, didn't think it was particularly cold compared to NJ (had my mid-weight 3/4 length wool coat on).
