Shoes/Boots in Scotland

Bring good walking shoes. My wife brought a couple pairs of shoes, one being waterproof on our current trip. The weather so far has been nice, but it just started raining. The forecast for the next few day contains a chance of rain each day.

To some extent, it depends on 1) what time of year you are going, and 2) your mix of urban/town/countryside destinations. Just like at home. But even during the driest, most sunny part of the year, you should be ready for rain and wet terrain underfoot.

I visited Scotland in midsummer (June/July), which (just like at home) should offer the best chance of sunny and dry weather. My trip was a mix of cities, towns, and rural (including and out-in-the-middle-of-nowhere) - probably about the same mix you'll get on your tour. We did get some days with more than a little rain. I did walk on a lot of unpaved surfaces, ranging from gravel to grass to mud to seaside sand and seaweed.

I was glad that I had made a pre-trip visit to REI for a good set of waterproof light hiking boots. They served me well.

Definitely waterproof shoes. But if you will be walking on any unpaved/ungraveled/unmaintained path or trail you might want boots. Even the driest, rockiest trail has ankle deep bogs.

We did the RS Scotland tour. We took waterproof hiking shoes (not boots). We definitely needed the waterproofing. Hiking shoes were a good choice for several of the stops, including our hike on the mountain top.

Yeah if I were traveling to Scotland, I would make sure I had a waterproof shoe. You will be way happier.

Hi Jeanne -

Looking at the trip itinerary I think you’ll get away with a waterproof shoe - something like Keen’s Targhee (other brands/models are available - I’m looking at investing in a pair of Oboz walking shoes, for instance and I own Merrell Moab shoes and some more obscure - to US purchasers - Italian shoes) would most likely fit the bill. I habitually take boots to Scotland, type determined by season, but that’s with the specific plan of going off the beaten track/into the hills where you’d probably benefit from the additional ankle support. Waterproof version of whatever you decide never hurts in the U.K. generally speaking though!

I’m looking at investing in a pair of Oboz walking shoes.

My very favorite walking shoe! I bought a pair of the Low Leather shoes before my trip to Germany this year and loved them so much, I bought another pair when I got home. They are undoubtedly the most supportive shoes I have ever worn - they fit snugly yet comfortably and I love the look of them (and the company's philosophy). Wear them around a bit as they're not for everyone but for me, they are my ideal shoe.

I over-thinked my own shoe plan, going with waterproof mid-boots (for a June trip). We had a few days with rain and strong wind, so the insides of the boots got wet and never really dried out. Next year I'll take a pair of crocs and a pair of all-terrain toed sandals and quit worrying about wet feet. Although I live in a drier part of Oregon, walking in the rain in crocs is common for me.

Concur with waterproof shoes. It's no fun sloshing around in soaked trainers.

We wore rain pants and jacket, and waterproof shoes in Iceland and it worked great. It doesn't do much good to wear a waterproof jacket if your pants and shoes get soaked.

I guess crocs or something without socks would work fine, too in warmer months. Wet socks are the worst.

Greetings from Scotland!
Thanks, everyone. Of course I have waterproof shoes. I did decide to take my broken in Blundstone-like boots. It was the boot decision for me I wondered about.. Glad I have them.