To not take coats and boots to Scotland

[Floweryfandango]

We live in Cornwall and have never been to Scotland as a family.

Going up for the first two weeks in August and DH and I can't agree on whether the children (primary-aged) will need coats and wellies. We have a very limited luggage allowance.

Will be doing some city stuff and some countryside walks, though nothing too ambitious.

I think we need mid-season coats, raincoats, trainers and wellies. DH thinks we'll be fine with just raincoats and trainers.

AIBU to pack all this stuff?

We arrived in Scotland from the Caribbean last week. I’ve got older kids but we don’t have raincoats or anything waterproof.
I just made them bring hoodies so they could layer up.
If it’s tipping rain, could you not go to a Sainsburys and grab them a light rain jacket if needed?

You never know with Scotland. Last time we went for a holiday there is piddled it down every single day for the entire week. You need good waterproofs and a couple of pairs of shoes so that you've got a dry pair of they get drenched on one of your walks.

General rule of thumb with Scotland , if you don’t have them with you, you’ll probably need them. If you have room in the car pop them in just in case. We’ve had incredible weeks there where shorts and sandals were enough and other weeks where they most definitely weren’t.

I would just bring a decent raincoat as the only coat option.

if push comes to shove you will be able to buy while away though

I wouldn’t take wellies to Scotland for a holiday in August. Maybe crocs if you are thinking of getting wet feet because it’s not going to be cold and wet if it’s wet.

I would take wellies and light raincoats - having had an extremely wet, wild and windy ‘summer’ camping trip in Oban one year!

If you’re short on space I’d leave adult wellies at home, as adults can cope better with wet feet if it comes to it.

Definitely pack some bug spray.

August is usually cool and damp.

First time I went to Edinburgh it was August and a heatwave in SE England so I was in t shirts and shorts. It was absolutely freezing in Eboro and I had to go to Jenners for jumpers and jeans.
If I were you I’d base the decision on whether it’s cheaper to put a bag in the hold with warm clothing or buy cheap jumpers etc when you get there

If you don't have waterproofs then presumably you don't go on walks when it's raining.

I wouldnt take wellies on a summer holiday if luggage was limited but I would check the weather forecast in advance of anything outdoors

I am assuming though that the choice of what to is yours not some kind of compulsory timetable

Can’t you just check the forecast before you go?

As someone who lived in Scotland for years I would prepare for all weathers. So, I wouldn’t take wellies but would take light raincoats. Just wear them on the plane if luggage space is tight, or pay £40 for an extra bag.

How limited? You can always wear wellies to travel in if you're flying and that's why your luggage is limited. Ditto to raincoats.

DC had to travel in wellies flying to NI once as we had got them out of bed at 4 for the flight and forgot their normal shoes but wellies were in the car anyway. Was a godsend when we were on a walk and it was muddy.

We had a fab holiday in Scotland at the end of May and DS and I were too warm in full coats, DH had a lighter rain jacket and was fine in that. I wouldn’t worry about wellies, just trainers will be fine.

It was in the high 20s wall to wall sunshine here in my part of Scotland all weekend. Yesterday it bucketed it down all day and today looks to be the same. I wouldn't say wellies are absolutely necessary but would bring two pairs of decent trainers or walking shoes each, and decent raincoats (waterproof, not showerproof).

We’ve needed raincoats and wellies in Cornwall in August many times!!
Chuck in some light rain coats and in terms of wellies, we always took them to Cornwall if the weather looked bad but we were driving and weren’t limited on luggage. If you’re flying then I wouldn’t bother.

The kids go back to school in mid August so I confidently predict that the first half of the month will be a washout and the second half will be beautiful 😂

I wouldn't take wellies - live in Scotland and frequently visit the Highlands, dc haven't owned wellies since they were about 5 yrs old. Would take a raincoat.

You might not need wellies but you can have three types of weather in one day. We've been in August and it was pretty cold just in the borders.

If you’re planning walks, bring walking boots rather than wellies.

Bring them both, we've had a rubbish Summer, so wellies will be needed if you're going on countryside Up here in the Highlands, the council don't mow wide paths anymore for people to walk through, the grasses and ferns are tall so if it's raining or been raining you'll get soaked walking through them and the paths will be muddy , so wet clothes and wet feet. Watch out for ticks there's been loads this year.Also midges thrive in wet and warm weather so be prepared to be eaten alive unless you wear a repellant. They're an entirely different experience to English midges

Raincoat and jumper(s). Leave the wellies.

Depends what you mean by countryside walks. If you’re on a trail, trainers will be fine (but might get dirty so maybe a spare pair). You might need more for trampling through fields.

I needed a light raincoat yesterday for doing errands in and about town.

Exactly, a lot of what we do will be dictated by the weather. But we do have some tickets for experiences eg Fringe shows, loch boat trips etc which means we'll be going out whatever the weather!

Where in Scotland are you going?

I’d take raincoats and jumpers, leave the mid season coats and wellies.

Definitely on the trails!

Wellies aren't great for walking - I would take something more suitable for country walks. Coat wise a light waterproof that can be layered over a jumper hoodie is more flex than a warm coat.