I recommend taking at least one sweatshirt or fleece pullover in case it’s chilly at night or on some days. Also, definately take a waterproof jacket for rain. A nylon shell that packs up small is probably your best bet. A cotton jacket is less useful as it isn’t waterproof. July is mid-summer but it can be unpredictable especially in Ireland and Scotland, and you may encounter some chilly or wet weather.

France, Italy and Spain will probably be very hot in July. Bring loose clothing in light colours.

Yeah, as Segacs said, the weather is unpredictable. I was in Amsterdam once in August and for one or two days it was no more than 50F during the day, and raining. I’ve seen the same in northern Germany. Bring an old sweatshirt or two, and a warm pair of pants that you won’t mind ditching once you move inland and into warmer locales. If your pack is already full, and you have extra money, leave it till you get there and then see. You can always pick up something cheap at a department store or such. Who gives a shit if it’s ugly(like the sweatshirt I had to buy in Ireland), you’ll be warm.

As was once said of the Scottish Highlands

"There is no such thing as bad weather, only inadequate clothing".

It can pour with rain at any time of year in Scotland – that said, it could be glorious. Unpredictable is right.

If you are in the highlands in July – consider a good insect repellent to minimise the depredations of the midges. Little bastards.

I agree with everything said about Scotland, Ireland is pretty much the same.

One thing is that because your trying to sight-see and so on in Scotland, it WILL, by sods law, pish down. A good light nylon jacket is a must for scotland, its better than those crazy looking bright orange poncho/bin liner things that so many tourists are hooked into buying for £2.50. A good fleece for at night, and jeans would do, up north, if your going anywhere near the west coast it will be at least damp weather, east coast is normally not that bad.

quote:If you are in the highlands in July – consider a good insect repellent to minimise the depredations of the midges. Little bastards.

Well in Gavin, I would go one step further and say a bee-keepers uniform.