Clothes for summer in Scotland?

[ElizabethinherGermanGarden]

Planning a driving holiday around the northern highlands of Scotland end of July-beginning of August - will have an open top car.

I know that questions about the weather in Scotland are a bit moot but I need some advice on what to bring. I've literally never been on any kind of outdoorsy holiday before.

I only have a smart wool coat and a light joules anorak that wouldn't keep anyone warm on its best day. I think I probably need to get a good practical coat that's warm enough if we get cold weather (I'm basically a lizard and can't hold my own body temperature, plus I live in the West Sussex microclimate where it's almost always quite warm).

Advice on good coat for long walks, driving mountain passes etc plus any other advice on what to bring with me would be very much appreciated. I am going with the boyfriend so don't want to look shite but also don't want to be that girl who moaned about being cold the whole time.

Sorry op but summers in Scotland don't usually require owt but a warm coat and wellies.
Says the camper who pitched a tent on August 24 th last year in hail..

But how warm? My own coat is nice but it's like a big cardi. Down coat? Wax jacket? These are mysteries to me!

Cagoule?

At that time of year - industrial strength midge repellant. The only way I can survive (and I live there!) is the highest strength jungle formula. And no perfume. But otherwise - layers, waterproofs and sun cream, chances are you will need them all within a three hour time slot. I wear berghaus waterproofs but I assume you won’t get the use out of it after to justify the cost, so I’d get something from Seasalt.

Jumpers. Lots of jumpers. And a decent windproof raincoat. That way you can layer depending on the weather.

Your open top car in August might not be a brilliant idea (August isn't as nice in Scotland as it is in England - think may is our driest month), but you might get lucky.

I would also get a lightweight ultra down jacket from uniqlo. Great on its own or as a layer.

Take a lightweight waterproof and wind proof jacket - something like this

www.trespass.com/blyton-waterproof-jacket

And a hoodie/cardigan. If it's warm but rainy the jacket on it's own, if it's colder but dry just the hoodie and if it's cold and wet both together ! The weather is very unpredictable.

Layers are your friend. Waterproof/wind proof/warm. Might be two items or three, not one. (Warm separate from water/wind). Add a massive scarf or something for extra gap filling. If you can wear a beanie without looking like an idiot, add one of them too. Even a cold day shouldn’t be cold cold, maybe 10 or 11 as your worst case scenario. Wind/rain far more likely to be problematic.

When out and about with DC, they wear tees and we have hoodies/summer coats with us. That usually sees us right.

That said, the biggest problem we’ve had recently is finding shade on the hot days.

We holiday in North of Scotland most summers. Take a raincoat (you'll blend in most with a mountainy looking jacket rather than an urban belted mac). Layers - try a shirt as you can put jumper over top and/or vest or long base layer underneath and/or roll up sleeves. Hat or buff type hairband for wind. For shoes, take something that can cope with showers - hopefully you won't need to love in wellies but loafers or similar can be good with cropped trousers yet still cope with but of wet.

We were in the highlands during the heatwave last year, and we went from t-shirts and shorts to fleeces and raincoats frequently. It's the wind, OP.

I always get by on a berghaus waterproof coat, plus a soft shell jacket, either one on its own, or in combination. Has always worked out fine. Make sure you have a hat/scarf as you'll get sore ears from the winds!

You need a hood. Bins are full of tourists' broken brollies.

This is all incredibly helpful! Thank you all. Am I right in thinking that Mountain Warehouse is not good? We have an outlet near us.

And thermals? Are they along the right lines. I know I'm being semi-ridiculous as it's not Antarctica but I honestly don't know.

If the open top car you're driving is an MX5, they have amazing heaters. Point the hot air at your feet and you'll be well toasty. Beware of sunburn. (I live in Scotland and have an MX5... )

It's a Mercedes - DB's pride and joy. The heaters are pretty good so feet should be fine.

At home I'm all thin jumpers and ballet flats so this is a whole new world to me. Wish outdoor shops had personal shoppers!

It could be quite warm during the day but could easily not be. Weather has been great so far this year. Plus if you go walking the uphill will be cold plus either way at night it’ll be cold and you’ll want your arms covered to avoid midges etc.

Get a lightweight padded jacket like this / water resistant but not bulky and pack easily.

www.gooutdoors.co.uk/hi-gear-womens-packlite-alpinist-jacket-p385507

Then a micro fleece (I prefer full zip). Can wear that or jacket or both if need be and still not feel overly bulky.

I don’t understand why you want a top down car in Scotland, You’ll be freezing driving at any speed even if it is unseasonably warm?

Are you planning on actually hillwalking, or is it the NC500 stopping as and when for a wee touristy daunder? You won't need thermals if the latter, and probably not the former either at that time of year. Layers, as others have said. T shirt, shirt, jumper/hoody.

We also live in southern England and holiday in Scotland in August. I pack what I would pack for a holiday here in September, so layers, one pair of sandals (Birkenstock or similar), also trainers/walking boots, waterproofs, fleece, a buff for head/neck is also a good suggestion. No thermals needed unless camping.

mountain warehouse is great except for its zips. Dont get anything zipped from there, but everythign else is fab

This year I bought a decent waterproof coat from Regatta.
It's a navy parka, warm but quite lightweight.
It's the Lucasta parka from the Alesha Dixon X Regatta collection.

Not sure if they are still available but Regatta sell similar coats & jackets online & often have sales or offers on - I got that coat half price & have had some compliments on it too.

You also need a hoody - Gap are currently selling theirs at half price but basically you can get them anywhere.

Decent sunglasses obviously.

Fly repellent! I live near a river (fly central) so I buy Incognito mosquito repellent from Holland & Barrett.

Wellies are good for muddy walks - I live near the Dorset Purbecks & wellies are essential. Get knee high ones & welly socks. Mine are Joules. My sister has Hunter. I used to have Sainsbury's! They were ok.

For an open top car in my limited experience you need to tie your hair back. I didn't. Bad style mistake.

Hope you have a lovely time!

Assuming NC500? Lots of layers, wind and waterproof jacket. Pack for all 4 seasons :-)

Just looked at the Regatta site & the Lucasta jacket is still available at £47.95 which is less than half price.
There's lots of other nice jackets parkas etc for under £50 in the sale.

Thanks for being so specific - it's definitely helping.

What about a 2-in-1 jacket like this https://www.regatta.com/calyn-ii-waterproof-3-in-1-jacket-navy/?gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5fHK3ejy4QIVB53tCh2Dgp7EAQYASABEgJTddDBwE - fleece which detaches from waterproof and both can be worn separately as well together. I have something similar which I wore loads when camping in the lakes

Most of Scotland is dressed from Mountain Warehouse, as far as I can tell. Their soft shell jackets and fleeces are fine and good value. Decathlon also good for outdoorsy layers. You don't need expensive technical gear for what you are doing. Enjoy!