Weather

Here's a website that gives you average weather. However, my experience has been that it will vary from day-to-day and from place-to-place. Scotland may be a small place, but it is surrounded by oceans and seas and is mountainous. And it is intersected by many sea lochs.

It can be frigid in July! On my last trip I went from Amsterdam where it had been incredibly hot and we were all wearing shorts (yes even the locals) up to Scotland where I piled on every layer I had to keep warm. The key is layers. And another key is to count on rain. If you don't prepare for rain, you have really reduced your potential to fully enjoy your trip. My recommendation is a water proof--not water resistant--rain jacket with a hood. I don't use an umbrella because I need my hands free to read the guidebook, take pictures etc. You can always buy an umbrella there if you need one. Also, I recommend treating your shoes with silicon so that they repel water. I usually am walking so I have water proof hiking boots. I actually bust the travel light rules for my walking trips, but having the boots, some good tourist walking shoes and a pair of sandals. The latter is often warn at night for dinner.

Pam

Listen to Emma as she resides in England.

As a visitor for several weeks or.more.twice to the London area in June, I found there to be a "most chill" (dampness) to the air. Because I did not wear a light jacket or a sweater when I went out, I came down with a cold each time.

The good part was (if it still is) the Dr's office visit did not cost me anything because I was a traveller.

If you want some historical fact on the area(s) you are traveling to, go to www.wunderground.com.

A friend of mine who moved to Thurso took a while to adapt to the locals thinking that a heat wave was anything over 20C. Really need some kind of clue as to where you are thinking of going to in particular.

Use weatherbase.com. It gives the average temperature and precipitation by month for locations worldwide. Be sure you have a waterproof (not water repellent) jacket, so you can keep enjoying your trip even if there is a brief downpour.

I have never been too hot in Scotland - for me, that would be a temperature above 80 degrees. It's usually cool in June when we have done most of our visits, much like the weather we get here in the Pacific northwest. If you are also going to London, it can get unpleasantly hot there (90 degrees plus), although that isn't common.

I feel the urge to talk about feeling hot in Scotland. It is possible. I actually got a sun burn one year from falling asleep in the heather in the hills above Ullapool at lunch time! Also, I find that it can be quite humid. So, while it is not 90 degrees when it creeps up to 80, which it can, you feel quite warm. Of course, later in the day the rain descends and it's back in the 60's.

Changeable is the word you need to have in mind. And if you get perfect weather, just be very, very happy. :)

Pam

Four seasons in one day is quite possible. The only guarantee about the weather is there where will be weather. In June if the sun is out you will get mid twenties, I have never seen it break into the thirties in Scotland.

The actual weather will likely not be the average weather. In Scotland expect change. Expect fair days followed by challenging weather if you spend time in outdoor Scotland. A "nice weather" day at sea level may not be so nice on top of Ben Nevis and a "bad weather" day is not a problem while enjoying a hot bowl of fish soup in a pub with a fire.

Echoing the good info above about rain and wetness, which can change from region to region and day to day (or even hour to hour), expect rain half of your trip. If it's drier than that, great!

With changing weather, there's often wind pushing that weather around. On our trip last summer, we heard lots of locals referring to a windy day as being a Fresh Day.

Echoing the good info above about rain and wetness, which can change from region to region and day to day (or even hour to hour), expect rain half of your trip. If it's drier than that, great!

With changing weather, there's often wind pushing that weather around. On our trip last summer, we heard lots of locals referring to a windy day as being a Fresh Day.

There is also a "soft day" when the rain is more misty. And of course there is a web page with more words! But if you hear someone say it's a dreich day, then pull on the layers and the waterproof! It's the perfect word. :)