In reply to mcawle:
That's a good series of points. Having worn gaitered boots and non, I'm not entirely convinced of the gaiters efficacy at times, having often found them iced on the inside when taken off. I get they keep stuff out, but they also trap a fair bit (cue usual debate about membranes). If there's ice inside the gaiter it's telling me it's a partial barrier but not doing much for thermal effect and more than likely taking longer to dry.
I'm left thinking when it comes to single day stuff a non-leather non-gaitered boot is the go. I wear Ice Cubes without issue (apart from modifying the lace hooks) but others report problems, but other brands do similar.
re Scottish, it's been years since I went through all that, but I'd think about approaches in gumboots till crampons needed. I did that a few times around Torridon, Skye and Lock Mona and didn't find it worse than any other option. Micro-spikes would extend the idea further.
