Hi there,
First time traveler to the UK. We are going for two weeks (June 29 to July 14). What should we pack? We're going to Scotland (Inverness, Isle of Skye, Edinburgh) , Ireland (Dublin, Cork, Belfast), and England (London).
Do we need raincoats, hiking boots, rain boots, etc.?
Thank you in advance for your tips and advice :-)
I always take a waterproof rain jacket to UK. It depends on what activities you have planned as to whether you need hiking boots. I wouldn’t take rain boots.
With just what…14-16 days on the ground (do your dates include your flight dates?) and the # of locations you have listed, you are going to be moving pretty quickly and probably are not intending to do any hiking.
I’ll be on Orkney and Shetland during this time frame with additional time and I am also taking a puffy vest and light weight gloves. However I know I will be outside a lot and might have some chilly rain.
For me, essentials would include-
A full of length packable raincoat, packable down jacket, rain pants, and waterproof shoes. If you have a comfy pair of walking shoes, just use waterproof spray. I haven't found umbrellas to be very useful, so make sure your raincoat has a hood.
Don't want to scare you, just want you to be prepared so you can enjoy these beautiful places. Have a great trip!
Definitely a lightweight waterproof raincoat/jacket. Something to layer underneath like a fleece jacket or down vest for chilly mornings. Unless you're planning actual all day hikes, I wouldn't bother with hiking boots, just comfortable walking shoes.
Breathable hooded Waterproof jacket(Goretex or similar) that covers my rear end in case I need to sit on a wet bench. Waterproof shoes-I use LL Bean hiking shoes but not boots since I won't be doing hikes. I always pack silk long underwear to provide a warm layer that takes up little space in luggage and under clothes. Our tour director on our Australia New Zealand trip always takes a puffy jacket that folds up very small and I plan to do that in the future.
Waterproofs, fleece, a hat for the wind, waterproof shoes. A packable puffa is a good idea as well.
Depending what type of weather you’re used to you may even consider bringing warmer layers like gloves and thermals. Personally I would never wear these in June or July but some forum members have reported needing them.
Make sure you bring clothing for warmer temps as well. London can be hot in the summer. Even Scotland can be, but you need to be prepared for anything.
I second the idea of packing some long underwear just in case. We were in Paris in April and the wind was making the temperature feel much cooler than it was. By putting on just the pants under my slacks made the difference between enjoying the morning walk and being miserable. They will now go in all our luggage just in case ( we don’t do mid summer travel to hot countries)
While I wouldn't personally feel the need for thermals in the summer (I'm from the Pacific Northwest), I would bring a hat for warmth (like a beanie) and a ball cap for sun and to keep my rain hood out of your eyes when it rains. I also would bring quick dry pants and waterproof shoes - not necessarily hikers unless I'm out all day with a heavy pack. If you're concerned about deep boggy terrain you could bring gaiters to slip over the tops of your shoes and calves.
Goodness, they're not going to the North Pole.
I doubt many residents of Edinburgh, Dublin and London are wearing thermals in the summer. We've never needed that.
What kind of travelers are you. Do you plan long days of hiking through streams and bogs? If it's a really wet day will you still be hiking or find something to do indoors, maybe stop in a cozy pub.? Are you going to be mostly in walking around towns and driving to the many attractions in the area?
Take a look at the forecast when you're ready to pack.
I think everyone handled your question, but a cultural note related to the climate:
In Ireland, July 15 is St. Swithin's Day, one day after your departure. The tradition -- mostly in the West of Ireland -- is that if it rains that day, it will rain for 40 days. Swithin -- sometimes spelled Swithun -- was an Anglo-Saxon, or English, bishop, and the holiday is known in some parts of rural England. Having been to the West of Ireland five times, I can attest to the rainy climate, though their rain has a different characteristic than American rain. Irish rain is sometimes a constant mist, rather than a pour. in 1997, when I climbed Croagh Patrick, the holy mountain of Ireland near Westport, I walked down the peak in a downpour. I was soaked to the skin.
Thank you, everyone!
If it's hot, you can easily buy short sleeve t-shirts for souvenirs. I sleep in leggings which can also be used under pants for an extra layer. For those who don't understand the possible need for warm items, I have been on two trips in summer where I had to buy a jacket(Rothenburg) or sweatshirt (Maine) because I was cold. I was in Maine in July and it had never entered my naive little mind that it could be cold anywhere in July.
Thanks for your topic renagarc!
Packing for my upcoming trip to England, RS South England tour and Ireland has been a challenge. I’ve chosen the best clothes mix I can and still hit packing light limits. Sweaters, hooded jacket, hooded knee-length rain coat, waterproof Keens shoes and regular shirts and leggings. It is what it is. I don’t remember being cold except for a few days when I went riding in Ireland in 1992.
Living in Arizona for 40 years, “cold” is anything less than 60, “chilly to cool” is less than 75, “warm” is under 85* with humidity, ‘hot is above 90* with humidity, “AZ hot” is today 108* with low humidity.
So I’m packing lots of layers and know I will probably buy more warm clothes as I travel.
Check out the latitude of these UK countries with similar places in the USA. I'm ALWAYS tickled when I realize that golf was invented at basically the same latitude as lower Alaska- certainly causes cognitive dissonance.
