Surprisingly (or not), that was one of the first questions that anyone, that knew that I moved to Scotland, would be asking me.
/ An alternative would be...so how is the weather, is it so bad?
So, for all those people, who still might be wondering...
>
...here is a small post about the rain and the famously known Scottish weather.
NOTE: If you go to Scotland, there is a high chance that you will get rained on, no matter the season.
My parents gave me, with a half evil, half worried smile a practical present before I went there.
Yes, you are right.
An umbrella.
But not just "an umbrella". It was an umbrella with Alfons Mucha (yes, you are right again, my favourite painter) decorations.
It was really pretty.
...WAS...
In the first 3 weeks I have been in Scotland, I got many compliments about it.
After 3 weeks it broke.
Correction...the Scottish wind broke it.
(just for an illustration, it looked like the top left one)
Now, does this give you a slight idea about the Scottish weather yet?
When I arrived at the Edinburgh airport for the first time. It was grey and cloudy. We had one of those planes, which do not connect you directly to the airport hall. So we actually had to go down the stairs and walk there.
And you know what? It started raining! Nice start, wasn´t it?
Well...it certainly did not upset me. It made me smile, I was expecting that.
What I was not expecting that much:
1. My hair would be turning into a dangerously looking afro style by the humid air almost 24/7.
2. That I would be sweating really badly even if it was cold outside - humidity once again.
3. That the strong and cold wind would give me tonsillitis in my second week there.
Okey...now it might seem really bad, doesnt it? It is not that bad...I think!
My Scottish professor, that taught me in Prague, said to me once "If it rains, just wait 5 minutes."
And this is very true!
The Scottish weather changes all the time, it rarely rains for days and days.
Yes, it is quite likely that you will get rained on, but try waiting for 5 minutes. :)
Speaking of which...When I came to Scotland...I never understood how is it that I am the only weirdo with an umbrella? Don´t they mind being rained on? Don´t they care?
No, they don´t. Because they are just bloody used to it.
And soon so did I. When the Scottish wind did not approve of my Alfons Mucha umbrella, I tried walking around with this slightly broken one, until I realised that it is no fun and gave up on the concept of an umbrella.
The only time that the weather really did piss me off, when it literally pissed (excuse my French) throughout the whole day on our last day of the West Highland Way walk.
Our seemingly water-proof clothes (as it claimed) got soaked within an hour and for the remaining 8 hours we were trapped in multiple layers of thoroughly wet clothing.
Here my friend Jocelyn is trying to look brave. I, on the other hand, am looking at the ground, trying not to step in the puddle (again) or sink my feet in the mud (again).
Here I am trying to give it "thumbs up", but my face it not even a bit convincing. Ben Nevis in the background.
I actually wanted to go up Ben Nevis the next day, but it was raining so badly that it would not be worth it.
I guess when the weather makes you cancel your planes, it kind of sucks.
But that could happen anywhere.
Honestly, I was a bit worried before I went to Scotland.
(yes, I am a worrier, that´s who I am, I can´t help it, get over it)
I was worried that the grey colours and the constant rain would be depressing, as I love the colours and the sun.
Sometimes...I did miss the sun a bit.
But...I never was depressed and the colours never were grey to me. :)
And you know what?
I got sunburnt!
Twice!
Once, even when it was just in the middle of March.
Ok, not such a big deal, apparently it is not that uncommon to get a sunburn there as people (Laurelin) enlightened me.
And to be fair, I get sunburnt pretty easily.
But still ;)
No comments:
Post a Comment