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What to Wear in Scotland in July

What to Wear in Scotland in July

Wondering what to wear in Scotland in July? In this guide we will tell you everything you need to pack for Scotland whether you are visiting cities such as Edinburgh and Glasgow, the Highlands or the countryside and lochs.

Important Note: This post may contain affiliate links which means if you click through and make a purchase I will make a small commission at no extra cost to you. 

Weather in Scotland in July

Summer is in full swing in Scotland in July however that does not mean you are guaranteed great weather. You can get 4 seasons in a day in Scotland no matter the time of year you visit.

Oban in Summer
What to pack for Scotland in July

This guide will give you an overview of what to expect from the Scottish weather in July however for more locally specific guides check out our regional posts:

  • What to wear in Glasgow
  • What to wear in Edinburgh in July
  • What to wear in the Highlands

Also it is worth noting that the weather between months changes quite dramatically in Scotland. Therefore if your trip spans a couple of months then please be sure to check out our other monthly:

How hot is Scotland in July?

July is actually one of the warmest months in Scotland. Generally speaking the average temperatures in Scotland in July averaging around 16-19°C/60-66F°. However depending on where you are you may find the wind can be strong and the temperatures feel cooler.

Note: the average temperatures in Edinburgh tend to be the same however the highlands will be slightly lower.

Does it rain a lot in July in Scotland?

You can get rain in Scotland in any month of the year. In fact you can get up to 15 days of rain in Scotland across the month of July.

How do Locals Dress in Scotland In July

In Scotland any local will tell you that no matter the time of year in the city, locals know the importance of layers. Therefore we recommend packing a mix of short and long length tops as well top layers such as jackets and fleeces.

What to Wear in Scotland in July

Best Shoes for Scotland in July

Tourists approaching castle in Scotland in June
What to wear in Scotland in June

Sneakers

Sneakers are the perfect shoe for summers in Scotland, especially in the cities. And if you plan on doing some walking in Scotland sneakers may be appropriate.

Hiking Boots (optional)

If you plan on sticking with the cities then you won’t need hiking boots. However if you want to do some more challenging hiking then you will need hiking boots or hiking sandals with you.

Sandals

Sandals are a great choice for Summer in Scotland. In the city you will need a shoe with arch support as there is lots of uneven terrain in places like Edinburgh. These are also a good choice for restaurants in Scotland that have more smart casual dress codes.

However if you are in the countryside and want a sandal then you will need a proper walking sandal.

And if you want a sandal with height for evenings, then I recommend a wedge over a heel as these are better in the cities. Shop sandals for Scotland here.

What to Wear in Scotland in July for women

Woman in front of castle in Scotland in Summer
What to wear in Scotland in July

Do I need a Jacket for Scotland in July?

We recommend taking a lightweight jacket to Scotland even in Summer. During dry spells and for cities, denim jackets are very popular and is commonly paired with dresses among the locals.

However if you plan on heading out in the countryside or plan on doing outdoor activities something that has some waterproofing is a good idea. Shop jackets for Scotland here.

Jeans

Jeans aren’t always the thing that springs to mind when packing for a vacation. However if the vacation is in Scotland you definitely should.

Scotland can get all 4 seasons in one day so jeans are a great pick for cooler days.

Also unlike in other places in Europe you don’t need to worry about the style of jeans. You will see everything from skinny, baggy, mum cut to ripped so just bring the jeans you feel most comfy in.

Trousers

Trousers are another great pick for Scotland. Chinos, linen and cotton pants all work well for Scotland in July. However if you want to go hiking in Scotland you should bring zippable hiking trousers with you. Shop convertible walking pants here.

Shorts

It is absolutely fine to wear shorts in Scotland in almost any location.

T Shirts and Tank Tops

T Shirts are perfect everywhere in Scotland in July and you can pick the style you feel most comfortable in. And it really doesn’t matter what type of t shirt you decide to wear: plain, patterned, slogan or graph. That is because you will see all varieties on the streets of Scotland.

Tank tops are also great in Scotland and they aren’t any Scottish dress code rules that they go against.

Generally speaking for Scotland in summer I would pack more short sleeve t shirts than long. However a couple of long sleeve t shirts are always a good idea too for cooler days in Scotland. Click here to shop tees for Scotland.

Skirts and dresses

One of the things I love about the UK is that it is a very multicultural and diverse especially in terms of fashion choices. As such you will see a range of fashions and styles on the streets.

Therefore it is hard to look like a tourist through your fashion choices. Dresses and skirts of any length are fine for Scotland even in the cities. Click here to shop dresses for Scotland.

Blouse

A loose blouse works perfectly for warmer days and cooler nights in Scotland. Also Scotland is famous for getting midges and mosquitos in the Summer. Blouses with longer sleeves are a great way of protecting your arms against them at night.

Click here to shop blouses for Scotland.

Sweater / Hoodie / Fleece

Although it is summer a top layer is an essential in Scotland. For cities and during the day I recommend packing a sweater or hoodie. However if you plan on heading to the coast or countryside we recommend packing a microfibre fleece.

These are lightweight and easy to pack down and offer better protection against wind and rain if you are out for the day in the countryside. Shop fleeces here.

Pashmina

A pashmina is always on my European packing list whatever the month. It is useful as it can act as a scarf or extra layer on cooler days. Shop pashminas here.

PJs or Nightie

Lightweight pyjamas and nighties are an essential for Scotland in July as much accommodation in Scotland and Europe generally will not have air conditioning. Therefore lightweight nightwear is a must.

Sunglasses

Sunglasses are essential in Scotland especially in Summer. Be sure to pack a pair with good UVA protection.

Swimwear (optional)

Swimwear is definitely an optional item if you are visiting Scotland in July and are only required if you plan to head to the coast or are staying in a hotel with a pool.

Socks

Although July is summer in Scotland we still recommend packing socks. Sneaker socks are good for in the city, however if you plan to do hiking then you will need some thicker hiking socks with you.

Underwear

Goes without saying. 

What to pack for Scotland in July for Men

Our Scotland Summer packing list for men tends to follow the same rules as for women in terms of fabric selection and local fashion sensibilities.

Generally speaking we recommend packing the below for men in Scotland in July. 

  • Trousers – we recommend selecting natural fabrics such as cottons and linen. However jeans are also a good pick even in summer.
  • Hiking Trousers – only needed for those who are going out on day hikes in the countryside. We recommend the zippable type in case it is a warm day.
  • Mixture of long and short sleeve t shirts for day time and night. Polo shirts are also good in Scotland for night. 
  • Blazer / Linen Jacket – perfect for smarter restaurants in Scotland and cooler days.
  • Shirts – mix of long and short sleeve
  • Sunglasses
  • Jacket – if you are heading into the countryside and plan on doing outdoor activities then you will want a waterproof with you.
  • Sneakers
  • Smarter Pair of Shoes for dinner
  • Pjs
  • Underwear

What to Pack for Scotland in July

Edinburgh in July
What to wear in Scotland in JUly

So now you know what to wear in Scotland in the summer, we will turn our attention to what to pack for Scotland in July other than clothing.

  • Sunscreen
  • Aloe Vera / Aftersun – just in case you get burnt.
  • Insect Repellant – Scotland is famed for its midges and also gets mosquitos. Therefore you will want some insect repellant with you especially for out in the Highlands or countryside.
  • Travel Adaptor
  • Power Pack / Battery recharger
  • Crossbody bag – depending on where you are in Scotland will depend on how much this is needed But I would recommend a crossbody bag for cities such as Edinburgh and Glasgow. As with anywhere in the world tourist cities can attract pickpockets so any deterrents are worthwhile. 
  • camera – Scotland is a beautiful country you will want to take lots of photographs.
  • Quick Dry Towel for if you are on the coast.

Note: if you plan on visiting other parts of the UK swell be sure to check out our other British packing lists:

Do you have any questions about what to wear Scotland in July? Drop us a comment below and we will do our best to answer.