What clothes to bring for early September visit to Scotland

Bring layers! Such as a waterproof windbreaker, a fleece, maybe a sweater, a couple long-sleeve and short-sleeve tops. Depending on the weather and temps, you might need to wear a fleece under your waterproof windbreaker.

The weather is very unpredictable. We returned from 2.5 weeks in Scotland on June 15. We were very lucky because we had unusually sunny, dry, and warm weather. We didn't have any rain except one morning on Skye it was misty. Temps ranged from low 60's to high 70's. But this is unusual. I used my waterproof windbreaker once, on the misty morning on Skye. Wore my fleece for the first half of the trip, and then didn't need any kind of a jacket. I heard on another forum that someone who is in Scotland now said it's been raining almost every day.

Last September my cousin went to Scotland, and they were prepared for rainy, cool weather. But they were lucky and had dry and warm weather. You just never know.

I did bring a pull-over sweater and heavy shirt and never wore them.

British weather is completley unpredictable.... September is usually a good month with less rainfall than August - but you can't gauarantee that. About the only thing you can be sure of is that it won't snow!!! Temperatures are likely to be somewhere between 10-20˚ . They can drop in the evenings and you may be thankful of a sweater or fleece then. Also if you are by the sea, off shore breezes can lower the temperature by a few degrees.

As already said - think layers. Short and long sleeved shirt and either a thin fleece or sweater to put on top. Bring a jacket - preferably one that is also waterproof (and breathable) for when it does rain. Otherwise bring a light waterproof jacket that folds up small. Depending on how susceptible you are to cold, you may want hat and gloves, although this is unlikely. Don't bring an umbrella - they are useless if it is windy.

Fingers crossed you may experience what we describe as an Indian Summer when September has wall to wall sunshine and veery warm temperatures.

Generally in September I like to dress either like MacBeth with a headache or Mary Queen of Scots.

More seriously, weatherwise September, all of it is often the epilogue to August or the prologue to October. It can be very summery, or clearly Autumn. The average daily high is 17 celcius in Glasgow, the rain fall average is in between August and September. So realistically plan with layers with chances of rain.

Layers - light fleece tops are always good, prepare for rain, be ready to deal with some sunbursts. You could see everything aside from snow. Although there's even a minute chance of that too!

I was just pondering this question myself yesterday. We will be in Scotland in mid-September! It's so hard to pack when you still have a closet full of summer clothes. I got into the back of my closet and retrieved my long sleeve fleeces and my two pair of Columbia rain-resistant pants. I figured layers will be key here. I don't like to wear sweaters, so T-shirts with a cardigan, fleece, and jackets will be essential for this trip. I will take a couple of pairs of jeans and a pair of ankle dress-like boots to wear with those jeans and suitable footwear for when we get into the highlands - I am thinking my waterproof North Face shoes will work well.

When we were there late September to mid October last year we needed long sleeves most days along with light jackets. There was light rain a few days, but only had downpours when we visited the Lake District.

Thank you. Temperature looks cool now. Will prepare for range of weather. What about dinner dress....formal or informal? Dresses, jackets?

DInner dress depends almost entirely on the restaurant. 'Smart casual' is the norm for most ordinary restaurants.

The exclusions tend to be limited but often the only restriction you might see is 'no football (soccer) colours'

We ate at pubs and we ate at nicer restaurants. Not high end or white table cloth. I think in most cases jeans and a nice top would be appropriate.

Because I like to change after a day of sightseeing (might have sweaty clothes or got them a bit dirty) and it just makes me feel better after wearing the same thing all day, I do tend to change for dinner. I brought one casual dress with me (from LL Bean) that I wore about 4 or 5 times. And I brought one pair of dressier slacks (not jeans) and a couple nice blouses that I would also wear to restaurants. And a few times clean jeans with a nice top.

The best rule of thumb is no matter what you bring, it will be wrong. You can always buy a nice sweater. Just bring a few layers, a rain jacket, and your wallet. I've erred not bring shorts more than anything else.

Thank you for the good recommendations. We pack light and we will pack a couple of light shirts, a few pairs of non-wrinkle pants, 1 dress, 1 dress shirt ( for hubby), fleece and light coats with hoods. I do have a hat with a net(for bees)....should I bring for nettles?