What items would you absolutely take on a trip to Scotland and England?
 

Hello Fodorites! All of you were so helpful before I went to Paris/Switzerland in April and I am hoping that someone can help me out now...

DH and I leave a week from tonight for a ten day trip to Scotland (based out of Edinburgh) and England (based out of London). Unfortunately, I have been so busy with work and coaching commitments that I have not been able to properly prepare my packing list! Any advice is appreciated - especially hints about proper clothing to pack (I am a young female in my late 20's) and items that we will find particularly handy.

Thank you in advance for your time and help!!! Happy Friday!

P.S. We are attending the Military Tattoo in Edinburgh...I am particularly curious about appropriate attire for this event...

Appropriate attire for the Tattoo - is generally the warmest and most waterproff items you are taking. Just leave the waterproff back at the hotel if the skys are clear - but another layer for warmth. It is not a fashion show. In other words what you'd wear to a night time baseball or football game in San Francisco w/o the Giants/Niners jerseys.

What you want to take in general are VERY comfortable shoes. Clothing you can layer. A waterproof jacket and/or umbrella. Warm socks. Gloves (for the Tattoo). A Pashmina is good for sure for evenings in both London and Edinburgh.

But don't take lots of super warm clothing - daytime temps can be quite mild/warm

sheesh, mis-spelled waterproof - twice no less :)

I just got back from Scotland - it was way colder than I expected. Maybe the weather has turned but up until a week or two ago, the UK was having the coldest, wettest summer in decades. So I would absolutely take a raincoat, umbrella, waterproof shoes, and plenty of layers. I had a rain jacket, jeans and two (fairly thin) sweaters and ended up buying a heavy wool sweater, scarf, leather shoes (I only had sandals) and a blanket. Not to scare you or anything, I don't think they were having typical weather but I'd be prepared. I doubt you'd need any kind of dress up clothes for the Tatoo, or really anything else. Everyone I saw just about everywhere (I did not go to any "fancy" restaurants) was wearing jeans and fleece. That was in pubs, casual restaurants, tourist sites, etc.

London might be a tad warmer and dressier than Scotland, but I've been to many restaurants, and even the theatre in London wearing nice jeans or dark slacks and not felt out of place. Of course I'd also be prepared for their "normal" summer weather which can get fairly warm (four years ago I was in London at this time of year and it was in the 90sF/30sC).

A Scottish-to-American English dictionary! heeheehee :) :) :) (That brogue can be SOOOOOO thick!!!) :)

Take your camera!!
As far as clothing, you will see just about anything (except shorts, pretty much), although London and Edinburgh tend to be less casual than the areas outside of the cities. Jeans will take you most places. Bring layers, from sleeveless tops through a lightweight fleece (AND a rain jacket, which we always use in Scotland, and an umbrella, which we use in London).

janisj.
Don't be so OCD over your spelling of 'waterproff'.
Anybody here would rather have correct advice than correct spelling anyday.

The speeling police who had no advise to ad seem to have lepht.

I would take

knickers
bras
toothbrush
toothpaste
soap
shampoo
casual shirts that you wear comfortably
a lightweight sweater or two (or buy them after you get here, but buy them EARLY)
a fleece
a waterproof shell
performance socks
comfy shoes
camera
lightweight trousers

Anything after that is up to you.

Rainwear & quick drying clothes (it's raining right now in Edinburgh)

Hat and gloves for a quick & easily carried means of getting warm.

Don't really think you need to go overboard on cold weather clothing - the rainwear will keep the wind out at the Tattoo and the hat & gloves will prevent most of the major heat loss UNLESS you are from a state where 60F is a cold day.

I've just spent the last week wandering round the Fringe and I've just worn a short sleeved shirt and trousers and I've been warm enough

Thank you everyone for all the helpful (and much needed) advice! It sounds like I will need a little bit of everything which will make squeezing it all into my 22 inch suitcase rather interesting...large ziplock bags here I come!

I definitely was not thinking about a fleece but will now make that a priority. As the heat index has been over 100 degrees for much of this week, I will have to go digging for my hat and gloves (also something I was not planning on taking).

Thank you again and any other thoughts are greatly appreciated!

Money. As much as you can. :)

Scotland -
Umbrella and layers. It rained 16 out of the 18 days we were there this summer.

Have a great time!! :)

Sturdy folding umbrella

Thin waterproof jacket with hood

1 or 2 light cotton sweaters for layering

2 pairs of comfy waterproof walking shoes

Lots of money

Hmmm...waterproof shoes - does anyone have a pair that they love??

Thanks again!

Got some fabulous waterproof footwear from REI. In pretty colors, too. :) They were great for my kids soccer days at muddy fields! Can't remember exactly which ones, but I'm sure REI still sells 'em.

Paula

did no-one mention the kilt and sporran?

the latest government lunacy is that you will need a licence to wear a sporan as the fur it is made from may be a protected species - see :news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/6234290.stm

but if you so wish, you may purchase a kilt in your own tartan in various emporia on princes street. it would certainly keep you warm at the tattoo.

regards, ann

regards, ann

It's actually quite warm underneath all the drizzzle- at least, it is in Aberdeen. I played petanque in teh rain yesterday and was sweating with only a teeshirt. So I don't think you need the hat and gloves.

I'm also not a huge fan of brollies here. The wind is a bit of a contra-indicator.

I'd want either the fleece or the rainjacket to have a hood.

Layered clothing for the changing weather and an umbrella.

I would love to leave the hat and gloves at home...just checked the weather for this week and from what I can tell the low will be around 50 degrees. I think I will take a warm zip up sweater that has a hood and forget the hat (I don't wear one here in DC unless it is truly freezing).

Sheila, please forgive my ignorance, but what are brollies???