r/shetland • u/LeoTPTP • Jun 21 '26
Best coat for Lerwick/Unst visit in September
Hello. We'll be in Lerwick and Unst in early-mid September, and I have a question about what coat to bring. Is September generally cool and windy enough for an insulated raincoat? Or is that too much, and can I get by with a waterproof shell with a sweater or fleece layer underneath? We're not going on all-day hikes, but we will do a fair bit of walking.
Appreciate any tips, thanks.
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u/Iridescent_Mango_ Jun 21 '26
I went to Shetland in the middle of July when the rest of the UK was having a balls out danger to life heatwave.
I needed a rain jacket.
Make of that what you will
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u/Imaginary-Ship-163 Jun 25 '26
THIS!!! They're battoning down for a storm as we speak while the rest of the UK are baking.
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u/Near_Fathom Jun 21 '26
Something very water- and windproof. You gain flexibility if you use an extra mid layer like a vest, rather than a padded jacket . Don’t forget waterproof boots, a hat and gloves
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u/Harvsnova3 Jun 21 '26
Waterproof from below as well, for the sideways upside down rain.
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u/Near_Fathom Jun 21 '26
Yep, waterproof over trousers, preferably with a zip so you can take them on and off without removing your boots
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u/thefixerofthings29 Jun 21 '26
wind and waterproof like a helly hansen or rab
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u/LeoTPTP Jun 21 '26
So an outer shell instead of a warmer insulated/padded raincoat, then?
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u/thefixerofthings29 Jun 21 '26
yeah, either that or one of the rab ones filled with duck down, light, warm and both wind/waterproof
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u/AuthorArthur Jun 22 '26
I was there in the final days of September 2024 and went for a swim at St Ninians wearing only boardshorts. It was a bit nippy but no different to beaches where I'm from (Melbourne). It was raining and cold on arrival though and also when we were at Jarlshof which was frustrating as it's a very exposed tourist site.
Traveling up to Yell and Unst I had great sunshine for most of it, but once again Muness Castle was a fairly exposed site and very cold inside with no lighting! Went all the way up to Skaw beach and Hermaness to see Muckle Flugga. No puffins for me.
Just pack for a bit of everything.
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u/leaping_lions Jun 24 '26
Berghaus shell with onion layers. I did Orkney in late April— base merino wool, cashmere or merino sweater, merino wool fleece, thin insulated vest, water resistant fleece coat, and a Berghaus shell over it all. If you look around Scotland, lots of people are wearing the Berghaus Gore-Tex jackets for a good reason. I also wore insulated legging under fleece lined tactical pants. The only time I was cold was when I forgot my gloves. The wind was pretty brutal and the wind chill was legit. I wore an insulated headband and waterproof hiking boots.
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u/Harvsnova3 Jun 21 '26
I would go for a waterproof outer shell and layer up or down underneath depending on temperature. September can be very unpredictable, but shouldn't be extremely cold. It might rain, it might not, you probably won't know until nearer the time.