Best type of jacket for Scotland

You will see it repeated here many times. Use layers rather than heavy clothes. A packable raincoat is fine. Ideally it would have a hood and be long enough to cover your bottom.

For warmth bring one or two sweaters/lightweight fleece. I like something that is washable. Washable wool, acrylic or fleece seem to be the most common options. Washable silk is also a good choice. Use the sweaters to layer for the cold. If it's really cold wear both sweaters plus an underlayer and your raincoat.

I don't pack a hat and gloves. If it's cold enough I'll buy a knit cap and gloves and bring them home as souvenirs.

You are likely to get a range of weather. By layering you will be able to adjust. Bringing heavy clothes is fine in the cold. If it's nice, they become dead weight in your luggage.

I prefer the wind stopper fleece jacket....rolls up and can be stuffed in a day back back.

Yes it can be a light weight rain coat, but make sure it's waterproof not water repellent. I like Gortex. Also, I bring a fleece and buy a new sweater when I'm there as one of my souvenirs. I've got a nice collection of beautiful Scottish sweaters that gather compliments constantly and keep warm in Wisconsin.

Pam

The "coldest winter" I ever spent, was a "Summer" in Scotland, so I'm really glad you're preparing for cold. Definately go for layers. Wool is a great idea, that's why the Scots wear it.Buy a Handcrafted Sweater in Scotland and you have a Gorgeous "souvenir.

Shirleen -
A raincoat is nice, but if it isn't Goretex (i.e. an imitation) you'll be sorry. I took what I thought was a "waterproof" raincoat to London and on my trip out to Salisbury it was raining sideways (as I've often seen in Scotland) and unfortunately, it wasn't really waterproof. UGH!
For my next trip to Scotland, I spent the money on Goretex and was very happy with how it held up! Consider Goretex pants as well - I wish I'd had them on the days we were outside and it was pouring!
Enjoy!

Thanks so much for all of your wonderful advice. I've been reading this forum since I booked my trip in Feb. First thing I bought was a gortex raincoat, and layering has influenced everything I've purchased. Not too keen on buying a sweater in Scotland with the strength of the dollar being so low but I might just make it my one souvenir besides a Nessie keychain.

You definitely want a waterproof rain shell. When you look carefully at most of the rainwear sold in stores here, you will notice it's water resistant rather than water proof. Water resistant is fine for running from your car to a building but it won't work when you're outside in it for more than a couple of minutes.

I almost purchased a jacket that said it was "waterproof" but when I checked the materials it was nylon. So there are manufacturers out there advertising jackets as waterproof when they are really only water resistant.

Nylon could be okay if it has a water-proof coating like Gore-Tex. If it doesn't show some type of coating, it is barely water resistant and would leave the wearer completely soaked in no time.

There are many new water-proof coatings hitting the market under a variety of trademarked names. For the moment, I'll stick with Gore-Tex until I see a track record on the others.

Shirleen-
Don't be afraid to purchase a sweater from Scotland! I have a few of my own and I love when people ask me where I got them! This is when you'll actually want to go to a larger store (Edinburgh Woolen Mill) to save yourself some money. We bought some plain cream-coloured sweaters for 20 pounds (albeit 5 years ago). Even if it has gone up a bit, go ahead and get just one - I love to don mine in the winter - my office is freezing during the winter and the wool sweater reminds me of Scotland and it keeps me warm!

This is something i have been thinking about lately too.

I already have a Goretex PacLite jacket which I think I will ear with my jeans. I have been looking at what i could wear that would be warm underneath it, so I will try to pack a few layers.

Is it worth taking a small umbrella?? I will be in the UK for 2.5 weeks before I head over to Europe.

Leeana, because I'm going to Scotland I'm going to assume that it will rain some part of everyday so I've debated bringing an umbrella but have decided against it. I'm packing light- very light and since I have a nice hooded gortex raincoat I just don't want to waste even a small amount of space. Especially if I decide to buy a sweater. I also hate the thought of not having my hands free.