Best type of shoes??

Edinburgh has pavements but Arthur's Seat offers urban hill walking opportunities.
https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/lothian/arthurs-seat.shtml

For pavements, any well fitted walking shoe with a good walking sock (e.g. light merino wool) would work.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/walking/art-20043897
Fit being the key operating word.

For off pavements a hiking shoe with traction sole would be the starting point and hiking socks. Waterproof (membrane) would be a good UK choice. Low top hiker for easy tracks, mid or hight top with ankle support for rougher terrain.
https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/hiking-boots.html
Proper fit and "broken in" (but not worn out) being the key words.

Thanks Edgar!!
I appreciate the response. Any other suggestions for sock? I am one of those people who can't wear wool. Also, any suggestion on brand of boot? Definitely looking for comfort. I read that Keens, Merrell and Ahnus are good. Thanks again!!!

Most hiking socks are marino wool (e.g. Smartwool). Alternative is a synthetic like CoolMax:
https://www.rei.com/product/118963/rei-co-op-coolmax-midweight-hiking-crew-socks
https://www.rei.com/product/118964/rei-co-op-coolmax-midweight-hiking-quarter-socks-womens
CoolMax is fast drying.

Boot fit is more important than brand. Try before buying. Beyond length & width is shape:
https://support.danner.com/hc/en-us/articles/202757058-Boot-last-descriptions

The key variables among the different lasts are in the overall shape,
width of the toe box and the volume (depth). Understanding the
differences of each last, as well as knowing the characteristics of
your own foot, will provide a good guideline for selecting the best
fitting pair of boots.

I've moved from Smartwool to Injinji toe socks but they may not be comfortable for you! I like that they keep my toes separate from each other and dry when it's hot. I had some blister problems with the Smartwool in hot temps altho this is not likely to be a problem in Scotland in June.

If you can find some waterproof shoes that are comfortable, I'd go with them. Ahnu has a low cut hiking type shoe that is waterproof altho they don't fit my feet so no personal experience.

I just got back and used my regular Altra Lone Peak low cut shoes. The thicker sole was comfortable on the cobblestones in Edinburgh. I did not do any hiking altho I did walk a few well-trodden trails and they are great for that. I did get them thoroughly soaked in heavy rain in the Oban/Mull/Iona area but when I got back to the hotel I pulled out the insole, placed them under the heated towel rack in the bathroom and they were dry in a couple of hours. I usually take a 2nd pair of shoes but never took them out of the suitcase except to re-pack.

I'm glad you are looking now so you'll have time to see how they work for you with long walks. The days I was in Edinburgh I wound up with 6-7+ miles each day. Lots to see and do!

You didn't ask...but a waterproof (not water resistant) jacket with a hood is a must. Umbrellas and ponchos are useless in a windy Scottish rain!

Thanks Pam!!!
Thanks for the advice about the jacket. I have a thin water resistant jacket I thought about taking, but after reading about Scotland and the weather I am not sure if it is "thick" enough or warm enough. Do you know what the temps are like in June usually?

Regarding shoes - do I need a pair of walking shoes and hiking shoes you think? My normal shoes that I wear now are JBU or Jambu. Thanks again for the info, I appreciate all information!!
Kathy

If you are in Scotland for a week, expect to get wet at least one day of that week:
https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/regional-climates/es
This region includes the cities of Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen.

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/regional-climates/es#temperature

July is the warmest month, with mean daily maximum temperatures at low
levels inland approaching 20 °C, the highest in Scotland. Elsewhere in
Eastern Scotland the mean maxima are somewhat lower, and are less than
17 °C over the higher ground and along the coast of Grampian region.
Extreme maximum temperatures can occur in July or August, and are
usually associated with heat-waves. Examples include 30.8 °C at
Leuchars (Fife) on 2 August 1990, 31.4 °C at Edinburgh airport on 4
August 1975 and the Scottish record temperature of 32.9 °C at
Greycrook (Borders) on 9 August 2003.

Edinburgh in June:

Extreme High 29C

Mean High 17C

Mean Low 10C

Extreame Low 1 or 2C

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/regional-climates/es#rainfall

Rainfall is generally well-distributed throughout the year. The
frequency of Atlantic depressions is normally greatest during the
autumn and winter but, unlike other parts of the UK, Scotland tends to
remain under their influence for much of the summer too. The wettest
months tend to be in autumn and early winter, whereas late winter and
spring is normally the driest part of the year.

Over much of Eastern Scotland, the number of days with rainfall totals
of 1 mm or more ('wet days') tends to follow a pattern similar to the
monthly rainfall totals. In winter (December to February), there are
about 30 wet days on average along the coasts of East Lothian and
Fife, rising to over 55 days in the Grampian mountains. In summer
(June to August) the East Lothian and Fife coasts have about 27 wet
days and the Grampian Mountains over 40 days.

Edinburgh gets 66 mm of rain in June.

I'm another person with a wool allergy. I got some food recommendations for non-wool sock brands earlier this year by doing a search for something like 'vegan hiking socks'

Thank you selkie!
I'll look that up.

Hi, in the past I've always taken my hiking boots--Scottish trails can be muddy and boggy--a good pair of walking shoes, but also a good sandal. I have Finn Comfort sandals and love them. They look nice when I want to wear a skirt. They have a good sole and stay on my feet. I do like a good pair of waterproof boots for Scotland. The walking shoes are needed for cooler days when you don't want bear toes when you are touring.

Thanks Pamela! With all the talk and sites saying about cool and rainy weather, I am unsure of the types of shoes to take. I love the suggestions and other peoples experiences. It gives me lots of ideas to check out!!

I pack "hut shoes" (walking shoes, cross trainers etc) for post trek footware. Nice to have dry shoes for wear to dinner after a day in the bush. The B&Bs and pubs appreciate you not wearing wet and muddy boots inside.

Usual UK way to dry wet boots: pul insole out and stuff balled up newspapers into the boot to absorb moisture.

I have exactly 1 experience in Scotland and that was this June 5-18 on a RS tour plus some independent days. I’m not sure what your cold tolerance is as I'm not sure where you are from.

I live in N Idaho and am comfortable in short sleeves down to about 60 if it’s sunny. On my trip there were a few sunny days, no hot days, many days when I wore the rain jacket for at least part of the day. I generally layered with he fri-fit LS top every day as well.

One day, taking the ferry from Oban to Mull, bus across Mull, ferry to Iona and then retracing our route, a storm was moving in. Our time on Iona was truncated as the ferry back to Mull was due to be shut down due to high winds. This was the coldest day with my layering a SS tee, a LS long underwear top, a dri-fit LS top, a cardigan and the rain jacket. I was chilly as my pants were soaked from rain and wind but we were headed back to the hotel by that time so I managed. Our RS guide had rain pants that day and I wished mine were with me instead of back in my dresser in Idaho, lol!!

To me a water resistant jacket would have been as useless as the ponchos some of the people in our group were trying to wear.

I will also say some of the people in our group wore jackets all day every day.

Thanks Edgar and Pam! I am North Carolina born and bred. I also was born in the winter, so I tolerate cold pretty well. I live usually in capris or leggings most of the time. Would this be appropriate clothing to wear? I think my friend and I are going to follow the ternary in Rick Steves book with a few alterations. I will probably get a good pair of Hiking shoes to wear daily for our excursions and another pair for end of day. I hope that works. How many pairs of shoes do people usually take with them, any idea?

Pam - how much did you pack for your trip? we are planning to go next June.
Thanks!!

Regardless of the shoes you take, it's a good idea to keep a pair (or two in Scotland) of dry socks in your day bag. Even really good shoes can get soaked in a downpour and let some water through. After the rains stop, a pair of dry socks can save the rest of the day.

Thanks!! I have read that several times. That is definitely one piece of advice I an going to take!!! I am now thinking about getting a pair of hiking shoes for daytime and another different pair/type (or 2) for the end of day.

We purchased waterproof Merrell summer hiking sneakers and loved them. Suited all our in city or Highland hiking needs. Cleaned and dried quickly.
There are some great hiking stores and TK Maxx right off Princes Street if you need to purchase a back up pair once there (we bought cheaper pairs there, for those occasions our hiking sneakers were drying).

Everyone is correct, you need stability on cobbled streets, which there are many, including in smaller villages.

May seem like an insignificant purchase but isn’t. Our best friend fell on wet cobbled stones on Royal Mile; broke her arm. Not a fun way to end a visit. Our Merrill’s have great base and treads...recommend solid wide based treads and waterproof.

We just were in Scotland June 1 through the 11. Two days in Edinburgh and then touring around western (including Mull/Iona/Staffa) and northern Scotland (including the Orkneys). We never saw a drop of rain! Just shows how the variable the weather can be. The temps in the Orkneys were cool and windy and we used all of our layers that we brought.

We did some walking in England (Cotswold Way) prior to going to Scotland. Definitely needed our hiking boots there as it was rainy and we were walking through muddy fields. Just wore my Merrill sneakers in Scotland and didn't need hiking boots. It all depends on where you plan to walk and what the weather is like.

Thanks morrowbabette! I actually went looking at shoes today. I saw a pair of Keens I liked, mainly because the had purple in them. I looked at the MOAB 2 waterproof hiking boots and shoes. I liked the shoes buy wonder if they will be enough to go to Finnich Glen and those steps.

Thanks Explorer! I am leaning toward the Merrills Brand. I have looked at the MOAB 2 Waterproof Shoes and boots. May go toward the shoes.

Here are my trip reports from my May14-June 18 trip to England and Scotland. In the England TR there is a section on what clothes I too. In the Scotland one there is a section on what worked for Scotland! My capsule wardrobe is nearly the same as I took last year on 2 trips to France and England (London and Cornwall). These clothes just work well for me and are what I wear every day. Capris might be chilly for June...or not, lol. I do sink wash in a 2 gal ziplock bag so I know that everything I take washes and will dry overnight including the jeans (are a cotton/poly mix).

England:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/tours/tour-report-villages-of-southern-england-5-21-6-2-18

Scotland:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/tours/tour-report-best-of-scotland-june-6-june-15-2018

I take 2 pr of shoes. This time I wore one pair the whole time, really only taking the 2nd pair out of the suitcase to repack. I also had a pair of minimalist shoes called Leguano that I wore down to breakfast or if we were having dinner in the hotel.

Hi Kathy,

I bought a pair of Keen walking shoes last year that I'll be planning on wearing in Scotland this year. I took Rick's advice to find a pair that you can walk in and feel comfortable wearing in a restaurant, and these definitely fit the bill. We did France and The Netherlands with evenings in Paris - though we didn't do "fancy dinners", and was able to also wear them as we walked many miles. Ultimately you want to find shoes that are stable enough for long walking and nice enough to wear for the evening. As far as the coat -- it will most likely rain while you're there. I would not recommend bringing a heavier coat. Our trips in September and October have been wet, but rarely really cold. Find some light weight mid layer items you can wear under your rain shell. That way you'll be able to stay comfortable.

Steve

Thanks Steve! I have a light weight Windbreaker type coat I'm taking. As for shoes - I 'm thinking about the Keens and the Merrells. Who knows, I may buy both!!
Kathy