What I Packed for the Scottish Highlands
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This past September, my husband and I toured the Scottish Highlands as part of a 10-day road trip. Our visit included Edinburgh, St. Andrew’s, Cairngorms National Park, Inverness, the Isle of Skye, Ft. William, and Stirling. Most days we were visiting historical homes and castles, with a few outdoor adventures scattered in between.
Your Saturday-style attire will probably be perfect for just about any plans you have. I wore a lot of jeans and leggings, first layer tees, and light jackets. On my feet, I wore my ON Cloudrock 2 hikers or my Hunter rain boots. I never had a need for anything else.
If you have hiking or water activities planned, you will want to consider any additional outerwear you may need. My Helly Hansen rain jacket and rain pants were perfect for our quad bike adventure in the Cairngorms and hiking on the Isle of Skye. Everyone will tell you that the weather in Scotland is unpredictable and can change quickly. We found this to be 100% true and were glad we came prepared.
Above photos: Athleta leggings, Helly Hansen jacket, Hunter boots
Rain Gear
The most wonderful aspect of visiting the Highlands is spending time in the great outdoors. Even if you aren’t planning any hiking or outdoorsy activities, you will probably still end up spending time outdoors as you wander through the beautiful gardens of historic homes, along the lochs, or through the old charming towns. The rain never spoiled any plans we had – it just meant suiting up in the right clothes. Rain gear, an umbrella, and wellies will do the job nicely. Helly Hansen rain jackets are my fave, along with my Hunter boots.
Hiking Shoes
Your footwear choice is one of the most important packing decisions. There is a bit of walking involved for every scenic view, waterfall, castle ruin, etc. The cobblestone streets of the old towns and the muddy hiking trails are no place for heels or suede. Leave them at home. I wore my ON hikers nearly every day. I love the fit of these shoes and own several pairs in different styles.
Packable Parka
We had some very chilly mornings in early September. I packed my North Face Thermoball lightweight parka, which I have had for years. It squishes down into a tiny ball, so it doesn’t take up much room in my suitcase. It is great for temps in the 40s. My body is acclimated to the Texas heat, so I would have frozen without this jacket.
Trekking Poles
I bought my husband this set of Komperdell trekking poles specifically for this trip. They are super lightweight and collapse down so they can easily fit in your luggage. If you need that extra bit of stability trudging over uneven ground or you are planning some serious hikes, these might be nice to have.
Above photos: FP Movement leggings, Helly Hansen jacket, ON Cloudrock hikers
Wool Blazer Jacket
I went shopping in my closet for a couple light jackets for this trip. I ended up taking a vintage wool blazer (similar here) that I’ve had forever and a lightweight plaid coat. They were both interchangeable with all of the jeans and leggings I packed and I was able to mix-and-match depending on our itinerary each day.
Denim Jeans
For days when you are in are visiting towns, sitting on trains, or touring less adventurous attractions, your favorite denim jeans will be perfect. Comfort is key, but wear whatever you love. My favorite denim brand is Rag & Bone. There has never been a more confusing time for women to buy denim. Once I found a brand that fit, I’ve stuck with them ever since.
Above photos: Vintage Givenchy blazer and Gucci silk scarf (left), L’Agence plaid coat, Athleta leggings, and ON hiking shoes (right)
In addition to your outerwear, you will want to create a “travel capsule” of layers that work well together so you can mix-and-match or re-wear items. How many tops, bottoms, and warmer layers you need will depend on the number of days your are traveling. A few other non-clothing items that I packed for Scotland were:
- Travel adapter – This was really important. The historical hotels did not have USB charges and there were limited electrical outlets for charging electronics.
- Bug spray – The midges are always a nuisance regardless of the time of year.
- Packable umbrella – Because rain.
- Tripod – So many incredible photo ops! This one works with a camera or your phone.
- Thorlo socks – Great support for hiking and long days of walking.
An overview of our complete 10-Day Scottish Highlands Road Trip itinerary can be found here.
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