Scotland is a beautiful country, a place unparalleled by any other nation on the planet. The country is full of deep valleys, crystalline lakes, steep mountains, and grassland as far as the eye can see. What’s more, each of these locations features a variety of wildlife for animals to spot. As you can imagine, these picturesque and varied locations provide both locals and tourists alike with some of the most scenic walks they will ever experience. However, the weather in Scotland doesn’t always behave.
You should never let a bit of drizzle or a chilly wind stop you from experiencing these walks. You can easily combat this situation with the right outdoor wear. So, what should you wear on long walks in this part of the world?
Windproof Coats
One of the first things you will start to notice when you walk across Scotland is that the land is far from even, especially if you are venturing around Glasgow or the Inner Hebrides. Let’s also not forget to mention that Scotland has three major mountain regions. As such, you will reach altitudes where the icy wind can nip at you. It doesn’t matter if you are on a quick decline afterwards, once the chill of the wind blasts your skin you will find it difficult to shake the cold. That is why you need to wear a windbreaker.
A windbreaker made of a single layer of nylon is light enough that you won’t notice the extra weight, but it is bulky enough to shield you from the wind throughout the year. If you feel like climbing up to get a view of your surroundings, don’t forget to protect yourself from the wind.
Boots
It should come as no surprise that a standard pair of shoes will get torn up on the rugged landscape of Scotland. You could find yourself traipsing through anything from rocks to deep mud at any time, therefore, you will need a pair of shoes to keep your feet both dry and safe.
Walking boots come in all shapes and sizes, but you will find that the best pairs are sturdy enough to survive the outdoors but remain comfy inside. Make sure you don’t go for the first pair of walking boots you find either. Test some out to find out which ones suit you the best.
Golf Shoes
Scotland is a varied place, which means that you won’t always be clambering up sheer surfaces. Some of the landscape is quite flat, but the fields can get bogged down after heavy rainfall. On the surface, these green fields may look clear but underneath lies a marsh-like substance. This could be harmful to those who come unprepared, and a twisted ankle or a fall could put you out of commission for the rest of your walking holiday. Fortunately, there is a simple solution.
Golfers often wear small spikes on the bottom of their shoes to keep their balance on uneven surfaces. As such, you can use a pair of Adidas golf shoes to your advantage when faced with walking terrain such as this. In fact, you may find that the Adidas golf range has a lot of gear that is useful for the great outdoors, so don’t count it out just because it seems a little unorthodox.
Denim Jeans
Just as you need a sturdy pair of shoes to protect your feet, you will also need something resilient to protect your legs. Denim jeans provide the perfect solution for an amateur hiker. The course material is strong enough to protect you if happen to stumble, and it will not rip in the event you need to climb or crawl across a harsh surface.
The only downside to denim jeans is that they aren’t the most flexible of legwear. Therefore, you should assess your walk before you opt for denim jeans.
Combat Trousers
If you do happen to be walking in a location that requires you to climb or scramble, then you may be better off wearing a pair of combat trousers. This type of legwear isn’t as sturdy as denim, but what you lack in durability you more than make up for in flexibility.
Combat trousers are designed to get muddy, and they allow your legs room to breathe in tight situations. Therefore, it doesn’t matter if they rip. You will always find a use for this type of trousers, so buy them in bulk and bring them on your next day out walking in Scotland.
Face Masks
Some walks take place in extreme weather. Temperatures in Scotland have been known to drop below ten degrees Celsius during some parts of the year, but you shouldn’t let that keep you indoors. All you need to do is ensure that you keep the heat within your body. A common misconception about the human body is that we lose most of our heat through the top of our heads; however, heat is likely to escape from any exposed part of our skin.
While many hikers are sensible enough to wear a hat during colder temperatures, they always seem to neglect their faces. This is a large portion of exposed skin, so cover it up. A scarf is likely to hang loose or get caught, so make sure you wear a face mask to keep yourself warm on your walk instead.
Avoid Cotton
It is natural to ignore the type of material you wear when out and about. After all, most clothing is designed to keep us warm. However, cotton can make your walks around Scotland more troublesome, especially in the rainier months.
If cotton gets wet, it will absorb the heat from your body to dry itself out. This will result in you rapidly losing body heat and can lead you to fall ill. Try to avoid this material at all costs when hiking through Scotland. You know what the weather can be like.
Conclusion
Walking can be a tiring past-time, but you will get more enjoyment out of the hobby if you prepare correctly. Consider the advice above to dress appropriately for your next walk in Scotland and you will find you have a safer time.
