What to pack for Edinburgh in May

12 rain days a month finds every seam. A real shell, not a windbreaker.

Lows around 46°F. Goes under the shell when the wind picks up.

Wear one, dry one. Cotton stays wet all week here.

The layer you'll wear more than any other.

Winds reach 21 km/h and lows drop to 46°F, so your ears need cover.

UV index hits 6.2 and you'll have 16 hours of daylight to burn.

Glare bounces off wet pavement after the frequent rain, so polarized lenses cut it.

Check ankles and, if there's a dog, paws and ears every night.

Urban terrain and coastal weather mean minor cuts and blisters happen on walking trips.

This country runs on Type G. Get one with USB-C so you're not fighting over the single outlet.

Long daylight means your camera, phone, and headphones all drain faster than usual.

Set it up before you land. Signal drops for long stretches outside cities.

International flight means your bag must fit overhead, cutting checked luggage costs.

Fits the overhead on every airline that matters. Skip the checked-bag line entirely.

For the passport, the chargers, and the one dry pair of socks.

At 46°F with coastal wind, a layer that covers your neck stops the cold.

Tap water is safe but carrying your own bottle beats finding a fountain.

One brick charges the laptop, phone, and camera.

Hotel and cafe wifi is shared with everyone else in the building. A VPN keeps your banking and email to yourself.

Airport crowds and busy streets make bag tracking worth the small weight.

Two weeks of travel fit into carry-on when clothes stay organized in cubes.

Twelve rain days and urban walking soil clothes faster than a two-week trip expects.

Sun is up until 9:15pm. You'll want the mask.

Lows around 46°F. One blanket that packs small covers the car, the campsite and the beach at sunset.

Twelve rain days create wet commutes on crowded buses where quiet focus helps pass the time.

Fourteen-degree highs and 12 rain days mean a thin insulating layer fits in any bag.

Rain falls on 12 days this month and wet leather cracks without protection.

Sixteen hours of daylight and a UV index of 6.2 expose your lips.

Busy city streets and public transport put germs on your hands all day.

International travel and multiple devices mean short cables keep everything charged without tangling.

Crossing into Scotland requires your passport, so keep it separate from your main bag.

International airports and hostel stays mean your luggage needs locks.

Humidity sits at 77 percent, so damp gear dries slowly in your room.

Long daylight and a busy city mean sleeping on planes and trains matters.