Thanks everyone!
Christina, there are FIVE different festivals running concurrently in Edinburgh during our time there. M. Abeille is booking us as fast as possible.
JAileen, my three daughters were highland dancers so M. Abeille has already planned for us to attend a Highland Games. Although I am hoping to get to see the Tattoo as well.
I am going to start a new thread in Off Topic for itinerary advice, what not to miss etc. So I can use this post to agonize over what to wear/bring.
Elizabeth, I know you go regularly and will have lots of good advice. Don't you keep a pair of wellies there? How different is their weather from our Maritime weather in the same season?
Barbara, Inge, Toban, and Carla: Yes, the dreaded shoes question. On my Vienna trip, some activities were curtailed because my city walking footwear didn't pass muster. For New York City, I was prepared with two good walking sneakers that I alternated between, and a ballet flat with lacing for the dressier occasions. Those ended up too fiddly for sustained use. But I do want one dressier but still functional item, to go with shorter hemlines and skirts.
I was planning on bringing a pair of very supportive sandals to fill that role, but wonder if anything open-toed is wise, especially with all the Chelsea boot comments. I have two of those: a rugged menswear version, and a pointy-toed one that is actually a welly. Should I bring one of those instead, and then sneak in a ballet flat for a dressy/feminine option?
Carla, your list and photos are really helpful, even more so because of our style similarities. Was yours more of a walking (non-urban) holiday?