Table of Contents
There is one thing I would have liked to know about the weather in Scotland and Scottish climate.
One night, during my first year living in Scotland, I remember that it was raining very, very hard and windy. While the bus was coming, I remember that there was a lady, and I, in order to make conversation and practice my English, I thought of telling her:
– Its a bit chilly.
The lady looked at me and with a smile from ear to ear said:
– There is not such thing, there is just inappropriate clothing.
(In Scotland it is not cold, just inadequate clothing).
I was dead.
The fact is that I have never forgotten it, in fact the nice lady was absolutely right!
And if you think about it, not being cold in Scotland is easy, as the lady said: you just have to wear the right clothes.
In this post I will help you to know what to bring when you come to Scotland so that what happened to me doesn’t happen to you. But first, let’s learn a little about the Scottish weather.
The weather in Scotland
One thing the Scots don’t lack is a sense of humor, and thank goodness… They love to make jokes and jokes about the weather. There is always someone who says:
If you don’t like the time, wait 5 minutes.
It should be noted that in Scotland there is a lot of humidity, wind and rain.
3 factors that will force us to wear waterproof clothing.
But don’t worry, in winter we don’t reach temperatures of -30°C as it happens in some countries at the same altitude as us.
This is due to the fact that the warm water current from the Gulf of Mexico passes through here, which is one of the main factors that give us a fairly “mild” climate throughout the year.
Winters are not very cold and in summer the average temperature is 19°C.
Regarding the weather forecast, it tends to change from one day to another, I recommend that you check it just before coming, and the same day. For reference:
Being in a humid environment with 17°C, if it were sunny, the thermal sensation would be higher (to wear only one sleeve or even short sleeves), and when some days of the year mark 24/26°C, the thermal sensation is much higher, (some would already be going to the beach to swim).
Just be prepared to have all four seasons of the year in one day .
From snowing to sunny in 5 minutes
My recommendation is to wrap up in layers, take a good raincoat, something to protect you from the wind and you’re done. Then add or subtract layers, depending on the season or how cold you are. It’s as simple as that.
What clothes to bring to Scotland?
Although temperatures are very similar throughout the year. Staying dry will be your priority.
For me, the following selection of months are very similar in terms of temperature and climate:
December – January – February – March
During these months it is cold, but less than in Patagonia Argentina or Burgos. In other words, wrap up warm, but temperatures in Scotland are not excessively low, ranging from 0°C to 7°C. The humidity causes the wind chill to be lower.
In Edinburgh the minimums I have experienced have been a wind chill of -6°C. If you travel to the Highlands you won’t find -20°C either (unless you happen to climb a mountain, there the climate here would be different).
– Coat
The warmest one you have! It’s important that it has a hood. Here the umbrellas are blown away by the wind, if not, let my friend Jos tell you.
Video of Jos and his umbrella
– Waterproof
Some prefer it to be incorporated into the coat. Others prefer to have a coat and raincoat or raincoat separately and wear it on top. I’m one of them, so you can wear the raincoat in summer too.
– Gloves, gear warmers, ear warmers and scarves
During these months do not hesitate to put these warm clothes in your suitcase, everything that helps you protect yourself from the cold, humidity and rain will come in handy.
After spending many hours in the cold as a guide, I recommend that you use merino wool because it is: thermal, water repellent, antibacterial (it doesn’t let your sweat stay on the fabric) and extremely soft.
I became so fond of merino wool that I learned to knit last winter and opened a small store on Etsy. Besides being a complete addiction, it is something I love to do and where I put all the love in the world.
If you are interested in taking a look I leave you a direct link to my store here. Everything is handmade and made with 100% merino wool.
– Layers, cotton T-shirt, thermal and sweater
What do you feel like going out? You can always add something more stylish to your suitcase.
– Thick socks and leggings/tights
– Comfortable shoes
Edinburgh is very hilly and Glasgow is very large, so I recommend comfortable walking shoes or sneakers or hiking boots. TACONS? no man no. Edinburgh has to have the world’s highest rate of ankle sprains. There hasn’t been a single time I’ve gone out partying and on the way back I haven’t found some girl turned around by heels.
April – May – October – November
Almost the same as the previous section. With the difference that you can now get rid of the leggings and gloves. (It depends on how cold you are).
– Coat
– Waterproof
– Comfortable shoe
– Dress in layers
Cotton and/or thermal T-shirt and jersey.
What do you feel like going out? You can always go more dressed up.
– Cap, collar, headgear
June – July – September
The Scottish summer is quite particular, believe it or not, in Scotland, when the sun hits, it hits well. Even so, I recommend you to take a coat.
– Sunscreen
Consider using sunscreen, if you don’t plan to check luggage here you can find it in almost any supermarket.
– Parka or mid-season coat
There is no such thing as summer here. At night you will be grateful
– Waterproof
– Dress in layers
Cotton T-shirt, pullover, denim jacket
– Short sleeves, dress or shorts
If in the unlikely event that the planets align, we cannot be caught unawares. Here, when the weather is good, we are ready to give it our all. It doesn’t cost any space to throw in some summer clothes just in case.
And if you go up to the Highlands, throw in a swimsuit/bikini too, you never know.
As I say here as long as the weather is good it is very hot, and here we take advantage as it comes, more than one has had to bathe as God brought him/her to the world for not throwing him/her out.
– Sunglasses
– Comfortable slippers
– Collar or something to protect your neck
Just because it’s a nice day doesn’t mean it’s not still cool. I recommend a wool collar or scarves every day of the year.
August
Similar to previous months. The difference is that in August, you can be sure to get rained on. There hasn’t been a decent August in 7 years, in my opinion, it’s the rainiest month. A raincoat or raincoat is mandatory here.
And if it’s not your turn, that’s what you get.
That’s all for now, I hope I haven’t made a mess of things! Remember, the important thing is to have a good raincoat or raincoat and appropriate footwear for the rain.
I hope you find the tips useful, write me a message if there are any doubts and please if anyone has come in August and has been spared the universal deluge write below in the comments.
A hug!
