rain pants

Are you going to be biking a good deal or bagging a munro or two?

NO just touring !!!

I think Bruce was implying that if you're not hiking up or down mountains you'll be fine in regular touristing clothes. You're best off with pants for touring that are lighter and quick drying for other reasons - like after washing - anyway. I actually was hiking in Scotland last May for more than a week and used my rain pants once, maybe twice, so I think you'll be fine. The weather can have bad spells but it's often changes so quickly that unless you have the special rain gear right at hand the need is gone before you get it deployed. Have a great trip,
=Tod

If you're just touring and not going on any hikes you don't need rain pants. You need rain pants when one of the things you want to do is go on a longer walk or hike and by longer I mean a couple of hours. You don't have to be climbing a Munroe to want rain pants. However, if you're just touring in town, don't worry about it. I did walk (hike) in Scotland for several years without rain pants. I did have the fast drying nylon pants so I dried out quickly. Do have a good rain jacket though that is water proof. I like one with a hood so I can still take pix. :) The weather in Scotland is very changeable. And it can vary from place and hour to hour. It's not continental weather and is affected by the mountains and the sea. Pam

You should have a light weight rain coat with a detachable hood at any time in Scotland. That's thigh length and water proof and weighs less than two pounds.

Not if you are just "touring" and a few minutes from shelter or a covered vehicle. Statistically speaking, May is one of Scotland's dryer months. We did the West Highland Way walk the first week in May several years ago counting on statistics. We had rain or at least showers 3 of the 7 days and it poured heavily the day we did Conic Hill. Even rain pants didn't keep us dry. We didn't use our rain pants touring Edinburgh. We could duck into a shop if it rained. As it was, the rain held off until we started walking.

By "rain pants" I assume you are talking about waterproof pants that you slip on over your regular pants. I prefer lightweight goretex. Have a suit purchased long ago from L L Bean and if in the situation you describe, I wear them instead of pants. Yes. Scotland can be very unpredictable. We were there in May 2011 and it was cool and rainy after a warm and sunny April.

Pants dry faster than shoes, which can get soaked even if you are covered in a rain cape. I'd give a little thought to carrying an alternative pair, always keeping in mind that shoes can add substantial weight to your luggage.