Scotland Trip Advice from Scots or recent visitors

**Jock Scot** · 16th July 15, 12:54 AM

Bring a 'TANK" kilt if you have one and wear it for ALL events that you wish to wear a kilt to, it is more versatile that way. I doubt that anyone will know what a casual kilt is.Your Barbour and layers is the way to go, but don't forget a hat! Whilst our temperatures may not be high, there is little air pollution so people can and DO suffer from sun burn. Please, please, PLEASE do not wear a flat cap with the kilt and whilst bare-headed is the usual choice of the locals a balmoral, fore and aft, deerstalker(the last two as informal kilt attire) is worn with the kilt and/or trousers when required. A flat tweed cap, John Deere style hat, anything really is fine when when worn with trousers. The "fog" is known as "haar" by the way. Have fun.

**OC Richard** · 16th July 15, 05:07 AM

Since the weather can change in a moment layering is the key, as you say.

I brought a thin lightweight rainproof jacket with hood and compact folding umbrella and these things were on my person at all times. You can get rain every day, you never know. I wore the ever-present American baseball cap, because I could pull the jacket's hood over it for full rain protection.

As Jock says the sun, when it comes out, can be very intense!

I'm a very light packer, one carry-on only for a fortnight, so things are pared to a minimum: one pair of shoes (with size 14 feet a second pair of shoes would almost fill my entire luggage capacity) one jacket one hat etc. No kilt for me, because it would take an entire piece of luggage for it and the associated stuff. I had to do when our Pipe Band went, but when on holiday, no.

Sounds like a fantastic trip!! You will have the time of your life, I guarantee it.

**California Highlander** · 16th July 15, 08:04 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Bring a 'TANK" kilt if you have one and wear it for ALL events that you wish to wear a kilt to, it is more versatile that way. I doubt that anyone will know what a casual kilt is.Your Barbour and layers is the way to go, but don't forget a hat! Whilst our temperatures may not be high, there is little air pollution so people can and DO suffer from sun burn. Please, please, PLEASE do not wear a flat cap with the kilt and whilst bare-headed is the usual choice of the locals a balmoral, fore and aft, deerstalker(the last two as informal kilt attire) is worn with the kilt and/or trousers when required. A flat tweed cap, John Deere style hat, anything really is fine when when worn with trousers. The "fog" is known as "haar" by the way. Have fun.

Ah if I only owned a tank!! Mine is a 16oz Locharran, but only 4ish yards, so kind of "pleat light". It's actually nice for hiking, but probably not for other events. I'll remedy that someday, but decided on using my funds visiting Scotland before buying another kilt.

On the hat front, I'm in agreement with you about the flat cap. My thinking is to buy something in or around Inverness so I have a usable "souvenir". Balmoral would be my first choice. If there's heavy rain, I might also buy a Barbour waxed cotton "baseball" style for wear with trousers.

Hopefully I won't see to much haar!!

**neloon** · 16th July 15, 10:23 AM

Haar is not very frequent and usually affects only a 3 or 4 mile strip down the east coast.
Alan

**California Highlander** · 19th July 15, 11:41 PM

Originally Posted by neloon

Haar is not very frequent and usually affects only a 3 or 4 mile strip down the east coast.
Alan

Glad to hear!!

Seems as if the weather will be a significant character in my trip's story. However, I'm still hoping to bring some "California sunshine" to Scotland later this week.