What to Wear in Scotland: First Trip Planning
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You don’t come to Scotland for the sunshine, that’s for sure, and any complaint about the weather will be swiftly met with the quote by the great comedian Billy Connolly – there’s no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing! So, let’s look at the ideal packing list for Scotland, considering that some visitors experience all four seasons in one day, and those arriving by plane will want to save some room for souvenirs.
Not booked our trip quite yet?
Here’s my guide to the best time to visit Scotland.
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Scotland Packing List
Waterproof Outerwear
I think I’ve stressed that it rains here, which makes a reliable waterproof coat or jacket the top item on the list.
Lingo advice: We use the terms coat and jackets interchangeably!
Shop for one that keeps your clothes dry; soggy material is unpleasant, especially when you don’t have access to radiators as you would at home.
I recommend the Mountain Equipment brand.
My partner and I have the RuPal model and have been packing it for travel since 2018.
It looks attractive and requires no fuss—it has one zip to fasten it and two hand pockets.
The length of the jacket covers my bottom, which is great for keeping the chill off and for perching on damp walls or benches.
While the Rupal is built to withstand the elements outdoors, it still looks neat enough to visit attractions and go for lunch.
However, there are two downsides: it is expensive and a little bulky, which is to be expected for a high-tech coat.
I’ve been wearing the Marmot Precip, a cheaper alternative, since 2014; it is much lighter but not as waterproof.
It does the job of hopping in and out of attractions; I’d only pack it for a day hiking trip if the weather forecast were 100% dry.
It, too, looks stylish. I recently replaced my electric blue one with the earthy green version to match my outfit for an outdoor festival.
Another option is a casual water-resistant fashion jacket, like the fisherman raincoat; they tend to have a hood and are thigh-length.
I have a few in different ones for day trips to Edinburgh and Glasgow or meeting friends for lunch, where I’m dashing from the car to the cafe; I wouldn’t recommend them for full days out in nature if there is a rain forecast.
Pack a pair of waterproof overtrousers if you plan to do any walking, whether trekking Munros or leisurely walks to the lochs in the Cairngorms.
These trousers are perfect for pulling over yoga pants; I even break them out to walk my dog during torrential downpours.
The final piece of waterproof kit on this list is aimed at hikers and photography fans – invest in a waterproof cover for your day bag to save your camera.
I didn’t have one while backpacking around Southeast Asia, and my camera stopped working; I will never forget how annoyed I was at myself!
Local tip: We call pants trousers; pants are knickers/panties!
On the topic of investing and money, you may find this guide helpful as I share how much I spent during my 7-day road trip in Scotland.
An Umbrella?
I’ve put a question mark next to an umbrella because the reality about the rain in Scotland is that it is often accompanied by wind.
If you visit during a dreich (gloomy) period, I guarantee you’ll see broken brollies by bins in Edinburgh.
Walking Boots
Whether you plan to hike or not, a decent pair of walking boots is recommended.
This is because many rural attractions go off-path or involve crossing over a bog.
Even walking up Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh requires some tread on the soles, or you’ll slip on a damp day.
My preferred boot is the Salomon, while my partner wears Scarpa.
Just ensure you have broken your boots before you arrive, and use blister pads or tape on your heels as preventative care.
If you don’t want to invest in hiking boots, consider a water-resistant leather or Gortex boot.
I wear Gortex Chelsea boots by Clarks for dog walks; other popular brands include Blundstone.
Be prepared for them to be caked in mud if it rains.
Closed-Toe Shoes
Since you’ll likely want to switch up your style for dining, pack a pair of closed-toe shoes that can also be used as street shoes.
In summer, I wear black trainers (sneakers) without holes or breathing material, as these let the rain in.
Black is the shade of choice as it goes with most outfits and still looks smart with dresses.
Addidas All Stars in full black is my go-to, although Vessi appears to be a popular choice for waterproof comfort; the latter is double the price.
I rarely wear trainers in autumn (fall), winter, or spring, opting for boots instead.
Check out our guide on the best time to visit for a seasonal breakdown of what’s happening in Scotland throughout the year, plus weather and daylight advice.
Layers
I pack vest tops, t-shirts, cardigans, and sweaters for road trips around Scotland.
That way, I can strip off if I’m too hot or layer up if there is cloud cover or air conditioning.
I dislike being cold, so I’ll always have some form of cover-up in my day bag.
Sometimes, you can get away with a blazer or cardigan as a coat in summer or even a mild spring!
Still, it is never guaranteed, so I’d leave it at home unless you plan to spend a weekend in Edinburgh dining out at upmarket restaurants and drinking at cocktail bars.
You can find a detailed Edinburgh city packing list on Hiya Scotland’s sister site, Everything Edinburgh.
For winter trips, you’ll want to pack a padded coat; most locals wear sleeping bag-style or bomber coats begrudgingly from November to April!
Although, sometimes, April can be as warm as the summer, you never know.
I wear a puffy coat for casual trips and my Rab for hiking; it’s quite flattering as far as outdoor coats go.
Midge Repellent
Midges are Scotland’s equivalent to mosquitoes, and the season kicks off around mid-May and continues until September.
While midge repellent like Avon Skin So Soft is recommended to add to your packing list, I’m going to be honest – I’ve tried everything during my years of travels, and nothing works.
Not even DEET, which melts the plastic on sunglasses.
The best thing you can do is avoid visiting during these months or avoid the areas that midges love—still, humid conditions.
They don’t do well in the wind, so that’s one bonus for breezy summers!
Not every destination will have midges, while others have swarms of them.
One camping spot in the Highlands was so brutal we wore makeshift nets tucked into our hoods to get to the restaurant for dinner!
Sunscreen
All jokes aside, you will need to pack sunscreen or suntan lotion, as we call it here.
Supermarkets like Aldi and Lidl or stores such as B&M are the cheapest places to pick it up here.
I wear factor 50 on my face all year round, which I’m sure any retinol girlies reading this do, too.
Sunglasses
Don’t forget your shades all year round; the low winter sun can sore your eyes.
When hiking, they act as an excellent water shield for your eyes when it rains.
You just need some windscreen (windshield) wipers, ha!
Plus, you need shades to look cool in pics with Highland coos.
You may also enjoy our guide to Scotland’s most beautiful places.
Tote Bag and Water Bottle – Eco Items
Shopping bags cost 5p in Scotland, so pack a tote bag to avoid adding to plastic waste.
Alternatively, buy a tote as a souvenir; the Leaky Bookshop in Inverness does a cool one!
Scotland has tasty drinking water that flows for free from the tap (faucet); pack a water bottle to save money and reduce the use of plastic.
Travel Plug
Like the rest of the UK, the Scotland plug has three prongs, one on the top and two on the bottom, which differs from the sockets in other European countries.
I pack an international travel plug that accommodates variations when I go abroad.
US readers hoping to use appliances like hair dryers will need to accommodate our voltage of 230, nearly double that of home, and pack a dual-wattage converter.
Credit Cards and Currency
While most businesses around the country accept debit card payments via tap and cashless payments using Apple Pay, some rural places require cash.
For example, from experience, remote car parks like Fionnphort in Mull and public restrooms like Fort Augustus at Loch Ness use coins.
Entertainers along the Royal Mile in Edinburgh request donations in exchange for photos and filming.
You can take money out at ATMs, with those attached to banks and supermarkets being the best option for avoiding unnecessary fees.
ATMs at private businesses like corner shops will charge extra for each transaction.
Most hotels, restaurants, and tour companies accept credit card payments, but some smaller businesses don’t accept American Express because it costs them to process it.
Apps
The most helpful app for your trip to Scotland will be Google Maps, as it shows most businesses.
A nifty tip to avoid losing signal is to download the region of Scotland you plan to visit using the offline option.
To do this:
- Go to the Google Maps app on your phone.
- Select the profile image in the top right-hand corner.
- Choose “Offline maps.”
- Then, “Select your own map.”
- Select the area you plan to travel to.
- Hit “Download.”
However, don’t rely on the time between areas identified by the app; consider traffic and single-track roads with passing places in rural areas too.
You may also find our Scotland planning guide helpful.
OS Maps is a more detailed map that charges for downloads, which is excellent for hiking.
If you like to live by the seat of your pants and don’t want to be tied down by restaurant reservations in cities, download the free OpenTable app.
It allows you to see availability closest to you, provided restaurants have signed up to the app.
Apple Notes, or the Android equivalent, is the ideal app for information like location details, documenting accommodation addresses, adding URL links, and saving screenshots.
Local tip: If you plan to travel to the Highlands, such as Glencoe, you will likely lose your phone signal.
Ensure you have your accommodation addresses and contact details saved, and download playlists to keep you company during the scenic ride.
Pack an additional battery pack to avoid running out of juice.
Final Words
I hope this free Scotland packing list has provided guidance and reduced your stress levels!
It’s never easy consolidating your wardrobe into a suitcase, especially when dealing with ever-changing weather and inconsistent temperatures.
Plus, there is a mix of indoor and outdoor activities and city and rural locations to consider.
I totally feel your pain on this one. I am an over-packer and guilty of aiming to look “nice” on trips; it’s a challenge every time I pack!
If you need further help planning your trip to Scotland, don’t hesitate to contact me to discuss.
Or, join my free Facebook community, Hiya Scotland, to meet people in your situation.
You may also like my Welcome to Scotland Mini-Course: 6 free lessons. Join here.