One swallow does not make a summer, neither does one fine day... ( I loooked it up! It turns out that Aristotle said this, except presumably in Greek.

May I effuse embarrassingly for a moment? This is why I keep coming back to this silly addictive cantankerous website. It's the words, not the spelling.)

Enthusiasts of shorts for walking - note my previous comments about midges in Scotland. Also look up bracken mites and Lyme's disease.

Re: shorts for walking - obviously if one intends to walk in areas where one is likely to encounter mites, tics etc, one should dress appropriately BUT if one intends to walk on good paths on a hot day, I still recommend shorts unless you really like to sweat - I don't. Oh and pants especially with cuffs make great hiding places for tics - if you wear pants in tic-infested areas be sure to have on long socks (pulled over the pants (gaiters (sp?)are also pretty good protection). Basically I believe in dressing sensibly and comfortably to walk. What really amazed me was the occasional person we encountered wearing footwear like flip-flops - good ankle-breakers on even the best trail!

Yes, Caroline, good advice.
I always wear long trousers and tuck them into my socks.
Mind you, the last time I was in the Highlands, I put Skin-so-soft on every exposed surface and some b----y midges got under my watch strap.

Skin so soft worked otherwise?

Can you catch Lyme disease in Britain?


One swallow does not make a summer,>>>>

But it makes for a corking night out.

Re shorts - in general we don't wear them unless we're undertaking a sport or leisure activity - so they're fine for walking etc (but don't make the mistake of underestimating the British sun - it may not feel as hot as elsewhere but it can still burn). No one will actually throw stones at you if you wear them but you might feel a bit odd.

Re the whole shorts debate it does depend on what type, i've a couple of pairs of 'city shorts' which i wear quite often when the weather is warm with a pair of wedge heels.

They are tailored knee length shorts and look smart and keep me cool.

I hate midges! And all nasty biting insects for that matter - because unfortunately they LOVE me! In general I have found that only a good insect repellant helps. On me biting insects just bite through clothing.

I have not tried skin-so-soft for midges - next time I am in Scotland I will give it a try. I have found it useful to prevent sand-flea bites in British Columbia and parts of the Caribbean. And unfortunately I found it useless for Northern Ontario black flies (THE WORST - they take CHUNKS out of your body).

Luckily on my walks in England and Wales I had NO biting insect issues - it was so nice to enjoy walking without first taking a chemical bath.

I just came back from a bus trip through England, Scotland and Wales and had the best weather imaginable. Take comfy clothes, don't spend time trying to be fancy during the day.

I wore jeans (but that's what I'm most comfy in, many people wore slacks/khakis) and had a mix of t-shirts and light weight sweaters and a jacket. The main idea is to take clothes you can layer... start with warmer clothes in the morning, and be able to stay comfy as you climb many flights of spiral stairs. Keep the idea of "if you don't like the weather, wait 20 minutes" and pack in layers to accommodate that.

When I was in London, I think it was in the 70's and sunny, but in northern Scotland it was definitely chilly. I kept a lightweight raincoat with me and it was great for a windy day, even though it never rained.

CW, yes I have relatives who caught Lyme's disease in Hampshire where they live.

Josser, how annoying about midges getting under your watch strap ! Sadly for you you've reminded that I've yet again forgotten to try getting some SSS before my imminent hols

Sorry Josser, that should obviously have been "sadly for *me*" !

Not that the title of the book helps in the packing for a summer holiday in scotland or england but i have to admit that i picked up alexander mccall smith's 'the right attitude to rain' as appropriate reading before our trip! And I quote the blurb - "the key to contentment in the scottish climate is the right attitude to rain just as in life ...making the best of what you have" . incidentally, what do you all have to say about this author? cheers and happy packing1

Yes Skin so Soft did seem to work, but It wasn't the real midgie season.
They seemed to be restricted to the woods.
The little village shop where we stayed had it on sale with the other insect repellents and the wee shop wifie said that people were saying that it worked.
It's certainly nicer than those things with Deet in them.

Hi Josser, thanks for the feedback. Maybe next time I'll remember !

tongsa, I am reading an AMcS book at the moment ! I love his 44 Scotland Streeet books (which I think describe living in Edinburgh so exactly !) and his Isobel Dalhousie books. I quite like the Von Igelfeld (sp?) books. Not so keen on his Mma Ramotswe books which I think a bit too 'nice', but they are incredibly popular. And he is a lovely man. Another line, similar to 'the right attitude to rain', which you'd probably like is something along the lines of 'he liked Edinburgh just how it was - grey, chilly and often only semi-visible' (Actually lovely & sunny at the moment though !)

the day before i arrived in london one year it was boiling hot even by subtropical standards
the next day it was back to 15 degrees
this was june, albeit, but upon arrival back in london in july, i was still wearing a cardigan...

in one day you can have many changes...and the rain is one of them so wet weather gear - light and scrunchable is ideal

caroline_edinburgh - I agree with u on AMcS - I found his humor on the sausage dogs really funny and I do like Isobel Dalhousie too. The other author is Ian Rankin but AMcS is just as lightweight as I like!!
Looking forward to discovering "his" edinburgh!!